trickle charging

To compensate for self-discharge, which occurs to a greater extent in NiMH and NiCd batteries, the corresponding batteries can be kept at the full charge state with float charging.

With this charging technique, the batteries remain in the charger or connected to it and are constantly supplied with a low charging current. The charging current for float charging is about 1/30 to 1/100 of the normal charging current, depending on the battery type. Continuous trickle charging can also be performed with short current pulses. However, trickle charging can accelerate the memory effect.

Trickle charging can be usefully applied wherever a drop in performance or voltage failure of the batteries will result in high economic damage or personal injury. For example, in the supply of UPS systems, in emergency lighting or in telecommunications systems.