A method of identifying and selectively disconnecting a faulty battery cell within a battery pack comprised of a plurality of cells, said method comprising the steps of: monitoring at least one performance parameter corresponding to a group of cells within said plurality of cells; wherein the cells within said group of cells are electrically connected in parallel; comparing said at least one performance parameter to a range of acceptable values for said at least one performance parameter, wherein operation of said group of cells outside of said range of acceptable values indicates a short circuit within said group of cells; characterized by determining if said group of cells is operating within said range of acceptable values and if said group of cells is operating outside of said range of acceptable values, performing the steps of: sequentially and temporarily disconnecting each cell of said group of cells while monitoring said at least one performance parameter of said group of cells and comparing said at least one performance parameter to said range of acceptable values, wherein said step of sequentially and temporarily disconnecting each cell is performed utilizing a plurality of switches corresponding to said group of cells, wherein each switch of said plurality of switches is interposed between said corresponding cell of said group of cells and a common collector element, and wherein operation of each switch of said plurality of switches disconnects said corresponding cell of said group of cells from said common collector element; identifying said faulty battery cell from said group of cells when said group of cells operates within said range of acceptable values during said temporary disconnecting step of said faulty battery cell; and permanently disconnecting said faulty battery cell from said common collector element by permanently operating said corresponding switch of said plurality of switches. monitoring at least one performance parameter corresponding to a group of cells within said plurality of cells; wherein the cells within said group of cells are electrically connected in parallel; comparing said at least one performance parameter to a range of acceptable values for said at least one performance parameter, wherein operation of said group of cells outside of said range of acceptable values indicates a short circuit within said group of cells; characterized by determining if said group of cells is operating within said range of acceptable values and if said group of cells is operating outside of said range of acceptable values, performing the steps of: sequentially and temporarily disconnecting each cell of said group of cells while monitoring said at least one performance parameter of said group of cells and comparing said at least one performance parameter to said range of acceptable values, wherein said step of sequentially and temporarily disconnecting each cell is performed utilizing a plurality of switches corresponding to said group of cells, wherein each switch of said plurality of switches is interposed between said corresponding cell of said group of cells and a common collector element, and wherein operation of each switch of said plurality of switches disconnects said corresponding cell of said group of cells from said common collector element; identifying said faulty battery cell from said group of cells when said group of cells operates within said range of acceptable values during said temporary disconnecting step of said faulty battery cell; and permanently disconnecting said faulty battery cell from said common collector element by permanently operating said corresponding switch of said plurality of switches. sequentially and temporarily disconnecting each cell of said group of cells while monitoring said at least one performance parameter of said group of cells and comparing said at least one performance parameter to said range of acceptable values, wherein said step of sequentially and temporarily disconnecting each cell is performed utilizing a plurality of switches corresponding to said group of cells, wherein each switch of said plurality of switches is interposed between said corresponding cell of said group of cells and a common collector element, and wherein operation of each switch of said plurality of switches disconnects said corresponding cell of said group of cells from said common collector element; identifying said faulty battery cell from said group of cells when said group of cells operates within said range of acceptable values during said temporary disconnecting step of said faulty battery cell; and permanently disconnecting said faulty battery cell from said common collector element by permanently operating said corresponding switch of said plurality of switches.