Performance irregularities, maintenance burdens and inconsistent operating practices have caused a high incidence of premature failures. As cable TV operators enter the advanced services arena, they face the prospect of offering telephony, high-speed data and interactive entertainment across a network with inadequate battery backup capability.
Gel cells combine sulfuric acid with silica to form a gelatinous consistency between the plates.
AGMs use a glass microfiber separator that absorbs liquid electrolyte. Calcium strengthens the lead plates, making them easier to handle and cheaper to make. Calcium, however, increases grid corrosion and growth in the positive electrode, which eventually causes AGM and gel cell batteries to fail. These calcium-alloyed plates usually are thicker to offset the increase in positive grid corrosion and grid growth. Temperature also influences battery performance and longevity.