The numbers of plates that are connected in parallel determine the capacity of a cell. For example, if one set of positive and negative plates is capable of providing 5 ampere hours capacity at the 8-hour rate, 10 sets of plates connected in parallel will provide 50 ampere hours capacity.

Just as plates can be connected in parallel to increase the capacity of a cell, completed cells and series connected strings of cells (ref. Figure I) can be connected in parallel to increase the capacity of the battery system.


For example, two 48 vole strings rated at 50 ampere hour's capacity can be connected in parallel as shown in Figure 2 to provide 48 volts at 100 ampere hour's capacity.

Use of parallel strings can greatly improve the reliability of a battery system in that should one of the individual strings fail, the balance of the parallel

strings will carry the critical load though for a shorter period.



It is most practical that the individual parallel strings all be of the same capacity as this will aid in the avoidance of errors during installation and will make troubleshooting of the total system less complex. However, there is no technical reason that the individual parallel strings must all be of the same capacity. When battery strings of unequal capacity are connected in parallel each string will deliver power and accept recharge current proportional to its percentage of the total combined capacity.

From a practical standpoint, the ratio of capacities of the individual strings should not exceed 1 :5.

When designing a battery system utilizing parallel strings it is important that each of the strings include a separate disconnect device and individual string fault protection as noted in Figure 3. To assure each parallel string is discharged to an equal depth of discharge, it is important that the voltage drop occurring in the circuit from each of the battery parallel strings be equal. This implies that when the individual parallel strings are all of the same capacity, the output cabling from each string be of the same total length (pos. length + neg. length) and wire size.

There is no technical limit to the number of strings that can be connected in parallel. The limit of parallel strings is somewhat subjective and a function of the additional cost and complexity associated with cabling the individual strings through disconnects to the common tie point; additional interunit connections to be installed and maintained; individual unit monitoring and maintenance and battery system troubleshooting.


The following table provides some guidance on what are thought to be practical

limits as a function of the system voltage.


It is important that parallel strings of batteries be properly maintained since a shorted cell in one string will negatively affect the remaining strings. When a system of parallel strings of batteries is to be deactivated for a period of time, the individual string disconnect switches should be opened so that a shorted cell in one string will not discharge the other strings.

With lower capacity battery strings operated in parallel, the individual strings are sometimes diode isolated from each other as shown in Figure 4. In this configuration, individual string disconnect switches may not be required.

Troubleshooting Techniques -When using parallel strings monitoring of the individual strings "on charge" float current and the discharge current can provide very useful information as to which string may contain defective units.

A disproportionately high float current or low discharge current could indicate the presence of shorted, open or high impedance cells in the string. Similar information on an individual unit basis may be conveniently derived by measuring and comparing the individual Unit impedance (ohms) or conductance (mhos) or the AC ripple voltage (millivolts) across the individual battery units.