Patent ID: 8587318

Claim:
A method of using a sensor arrangement with an energy storage device having a plurality of cells, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a sensor arrangement having a plurality of balancing switches, wherein each of the balancing switches is connected to a cell; (b) causing the plurality of balancing switches to be in an ‘off’ state and then measuring the voltages for at least some of the plurality of cells; (c) switching the state of at least some of the plurality of balancing switches so that a first group of balancing switches is in an ‘on’ state and a second group of balancing switches is in an ‘off’ state, and then measuring the voltages for at least some of the plurality of cells; (d) switching the state of at least some of the plurality of balancing switches so that the first group of balancing switches is in an ‘off’ state and the second group of balancing switches is in an ‘on’ state, and then measuring the voltages for at least some of the plurality of cells; and (e) comparing one or more of the voltages from step (b) with one or more of the voltages from steps (c) and/or (d) in order to determine if there is a fault condition.