Long-Term Standby Power for a Gas Circuit Breaker
A customer in the United States was looking for a reliable primary lithium battery solution for a gas circuit breaker used in electrical power distribution and protection equipment.
In this type of equipment, the battery may support monitoring, control, indication, memory backup or other auxiliary electronic circuits. Because the equipment can remain in standby mode for extended periods, the battery must be suitable for long-term operation rather than only short-duration discharge.
After reviewing the application requirements, PKCELL recommended the ER17505 3.6V lithium thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2) battery as a suitable primary battery option for the project.
What the Circuit Breaker Needed from the Battery
Battery selection for long-term industrial standby equipment involves more than matching the nominal voltage. Several operating requirements had to be considered together.
Long Service and Storage Life
The equipment may remain in standby operation for long periods, so the battery needed to support long-term deployment and storage.
Very Low Self-Discharge
Capacity needs to be preserved during extended periods when the equipment consumes little power or remains primarily in standby mode.
Stable Operating Voltage
Stable battery voltage was important for the circuit breaker's electronic monitoring, control and auxiliary functions.
Industrial Environment Compatibility
The selected battery needed reliable performance across industrial operating conditions and a wide temperature range.
Selecting the ER17505 Li-SOCl2 Battery
Based on the operating requirements of the gas circuit breaker, PKCELL proposed the ER17505 lithium thionyl chloride battery.
Li-SOCl2 chemistry is particularly suitable for low-power industrial applications that require extended operating or standby periods. The ER17505's low self-discharge characteristics help preserve capacity during long standby periods, while its 3.6V nominal output supports the electronic control and monitoring circuits inside the system.
Battery Selection Was Based on the Actual Operating Conditions
PKCELL provided technical specifications and application guidance to help the customer verify battery compatibility with the equipment.
Why ER17505 Was Suitable for the Project
| Battery Characteristic | Relevance to the Application |
|---|---|
| High Energy Density | Supports a compact primary lithium battery solution. |
| Low Self-Discharge | Suitable for equipment with extended standby periods. |
| 3.6V Nominal Voltage | Supports the monitoring and control electronics in the application. |
| Wide Temperature Capability | Suitable for industrial installation environments. |
| Long Shelf and Service Life | Matches the long-term operating requirements of industrial standby equipment. |
| Li-SOCl2 Chemistry | Commonly used in industrial control, metering, security and monitoring equipment. |
A Practical Power Solution for Long-Term Industrial Operation
The ER17505 provided a practical primary lithium battery solution for the customer's gas circuit breaker application.
By matching the battery characteristics with the actual operating conditions of the equipment, the solution supported the reliability requirements of the backup and control power system while helping reduce the need for frequent battery replacement.
The project also illustrates how Li-SOCl2 batteries can be evaluated for power distribution equipment, industrial control systems, protection devices and other applications that require long-term primary battery operation.
Need a Li-SOCl2 Battery for Your Industrial Equipment?
Share your required voltage, current profile, operating temperature, expected service life and application conditions with PKCELL. Our team can help evaluate a suitable primary lithium battery solution for your project.

