Saft launches two new primary lithium cells for demanding professional electronics applications

Saft, the world specialist in the design and manufacture of high-tech batteries for industry, is at Electronica 2010 to launch the latest additions to its comprehensive range of primary lithium batteries in the form of two new D-size cells designed specifically for high drain electronic applications. They are: the new generation LSH20 cell that now offers world-leading performance to ensure enhanced autonomy and long service life for metering and military radio-communications equipment; Friwo brand M20Ex intrinsically safe cells, currently the world’s only high power lithium cell to be rated T4 at +70°C, designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres such as in smart gas meters with GPRS communication.

New generation LSH20 Cell – now with a nominal capacity of 15 Ah
Saft LSH20 lithium-thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2) cylindrical D-size cells have a nominal voltage of 3.6 V and are designed for high-drain equipment including utility metering, military radio-communications, as well as security alarm systems, tracking systems and M2M applications. Saft’s programme of continuous development and upgrading has resulted in the launch of the new generation LSH20 cell that has enabled the nominal capacity of 13 Ah to be increased to 15 Ah (at +20°C, under a 15 mA discharge to a 2.0 V cut-off) while preserving other key performance criteria such as its high pulse capability of up to 3 A. The LSH20 cell now leads the world in terms of performance, autonomy and service life.

The new LSH20 cell features a spiral electrode construction designed for high pulse applications. The cell is an industrial design, with a stainless steel container, glass to metal seal, laser welding and safety vent for long shelf life. It can be used over a wide temperature range (-60°C to +85°C) and offers a high level of resistance to corrosion and safety under abusive conditions. The new generation LSH20 has a low self-discharge rate – less than 3% per year of storage at +20°C

The new generation LSH20 features the same interfaces as previous models, making the upgrade simple and straightforward.

Friwo M20Ex – world leading performance in an intrinsically safe cell

Saft’s Friwo brand M20Ex lithium manganese dioxide (Li-MnO2) cell has been developed to offer a unique, world-leading, level of high performance for an intrinsically safe D-size cell intended for industrial applications requiring high power under potentially explosive applications, especially smart gas meters with built-in GPRS communications as well as a wide variety of other uses such as gas tank level monitors, leak detectors, petrochemical facilities and mining applications.

The Friwo M20Ex cell has been designed in compliance with the IEC 60079-11 standard (Explosive atmospheres – Part 11: Equipment protection by intrinsic safety “I”). With a T4 rating at +70°C, a nominal capacity of 12.4 Ah (at +20°C, under a 150 mA discharge) and a pulse capability up to 8 A, the Friwo M20Ex has established a unique position as an intrinsically safe primary lithium cell with high power capability. It also offers the benefits of a very low self-discharge rate – less than 1% per year of storage at +20°C - and the capability to operate over a wide temperature range (-40°C to +70°C).

The Friwo M20Ex cell is based on a spiral electrode construction for high pulse applications and has an industrial design housed in a stainless steel container, with glass to metal seal, laser welding, safety vent for long shelf life and offers a high level of resistance to corrosion and safety under abusive conditions