Laboratory Battery Test Series (LBT)


Channel Voltage	(-5)~20V
Channel Current	0.0001~500A+
Channel Quantity	8~256+

Arbin's LBT is the workhorse for every test lab providing unmatched value. The 24-bit resolution is a 256x improvement, and 100ppm precision is a greater than 10x improvement over traditional battery testers enabling battery managers and researchers to identify early trends and the smallest changes in battery data.

Arbin Instruments’ LBT series offers over 15 different Current/Voltage configurations and hundreds of test channel combinations whether a benchtop model is needed, or thousands of test channels. Each Arbin test channel provides multiple current ranges with industry-leading 24-bit resolution, to help identify early trends in battery data.

All channels are fully parallelable to increase the current handling capability when needed. Ultra-fast data logging and dynamic data acquisition make Arbin’s LBT battery testing systems ideal for a wide range of applications.

Arbin battery cell testing in a temperature chamber

Arbin's LBT Series Standard Models

High Channel Density

These models are intended for testing large quantities of cells.

Current Ranges per channel: 2
Test channels per board: 16

LBT ±5V-100mA

Channel Voltage: (-5)~5V
Channel Max Current: 100mA
Ranges: 100mA / 10mA
Channel Count: 16~256+

LBT ±5V-1A

LBT 5V-5A

Low Current

The all-purpose tester for low current (≤10A) cell testing.

Current Ranges per channel: 4
Test channels per board: 8

LBT ±5V-1A

Channel Voltage: (-5)~5V
Channel Max Current: 1A
Ranges: 1A / 50mA / 2mA / 100μA
Channel Count: 8~96+

LBT 5V-5A

LBT ±5V-5A

LBT 5V-10A

LBT ±5V-10A

High Current

The all-purpose tester for high current (>10A) cell testing.

Current Ranges per channel: 4
Test channels per board: 1~8

LBT 5V-30A

Channel Voltage: 0~5V
Channel Max Current: 30A
Ranges: 30A / 5A / 500mA / 20mA
Channel Count: 8~96+

LBT 5V-60A

LBT 5V-100A

LBT 5V-250A

LBT 5V-300A

LBT 5V-500A

Small Modules

Relatively low-power Module testing up to 20V.

Current Ranges per channel: 4
Test channels per board: 8

LBT 10V-5A

Channel Voltage: 0~10V
Channel Max Current: 5A
Ranges: 5A / 500mA / 20mA / 1mA
Channel Count: 8~96+

LBT 10V-10A

LBT 20V-10A

Battery research labs rely on Arbin's state of the art performance and comprehensive battery test accessories such as:
- The MZTC "Multi-Zone Temperature Chamber"
- Integrated EIS measurements
- Range of cell holders including our 3E coin cell holders

Importance of Precision

This plot illustrates the difference between an Arbin battery tester and another leading manufacturer. The first of the two distinct dips in the plot may have been missed using inferior test equipment. While many companies try to sell the same legacy equipment for over a decade, Arbin has been hard at work improving our designs to meet future industry demands. We learned a lot during our three year ARPA-E project to develop high-current high-precision testers, and have implemented this new technology in our LBT, RBT-Cell, and HPS test equipment series. The HPS ultra-high precision systems represent our premium product, but LBT is superior to other standard testers on the market.

Measurement precision is more critical for long‐term battery testing and long‐term battery projections than control accuracy alone. Most other battery testing systems do not correctly specify their precision and/or have relatively poor precision, which hinder the conclusions drawn from results data. Important trends and electrochemical indicators may remain unnoticed; lost in the measurement noise as illustrated at right.

What Affects Test Equipment Precision
Resolution of DAC
Resolution of ADC
Non-linearity of calibration
Short-term drift (temperature)
Long-term drift (material characteristics)

Arbin Test Equipment Improvements
Higher Resolution
Improved Software Algorithms
New Methods of Thermal Management
New Patented Shunt Design
New Method of Time Keeping
New Materials

LBTS-TC: Arbin's Turnkey Battery Testing

Arbin’s next-generation Laboratory Battery Testing (LBTS) series offers industry-leading 24-bit resolution and high-precision measurements. The all-purpose tester features true bipolar circuitry for cross-zero linearity, four current ranges per test channel, and embedded MCUs for real-time calculations.

Complementing this, Arbin’s Cell-Isolation Multi-Zone Thermal Chambers (MZTC) provide 16 independently controlled temperature mini-chambers. Each mini-chamber allows a unique temperature setpoint with thermal and electrical isolation, ensuring precise control. It provides a safe testing environment by isolating single or pairs of cells so a weak or failed cell does not interrupt others and allows greater independence in monitoring the devices under test.

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Auxiliaries and Optional Accessories Available to Enhance Testing

MZTC Multi-Chamber

Arbin's MZTC "Multi-Chamber" provides 8 fully independent mini-temperature chambers to isolate cells under test.

EIS Integration

Add a Gamry EIS unit or Arbin ACIM module that is shared across up to 32 test channels (each).

Battery Holders and Racks

A variety of racks and battery holder are available for all cell types for an organized test environment.

Temperature Control Temperature Measurement EIS Auxiliary Voltage Measurement Digital or Analog I/O

Temperature Control

Arbin MZTC Multi-Chamber allows researchers to isolate individual or pairs of cells in their own fully independent min temperature chamber.
- Temperature range is [Ambient-10] to 60 degC.
- Interface trays are available for all cell types.
- Optionally add temperature sensors to mount on each cell.

Arbin's 3rd party chamber Interface module allows the Arbin tester to set the chamber temperature and record chamber reading automatically during the test and synchronize all data. This is compatible with many chamber brands, but please consult your Arbin sales engineer for details.

Temperature Measurement

Arbin offers thermocouple and thermistor sensor types to measure and record temperature during testing. They function independently so the user may flexibly assign them in any configuration with the main charge/discharge test channels. All data is automatically synchronized with the cell charge/discharge test data. Available sensor types include:
- K-Type Thermocouples
- T-Type Thermocouples
- PT100 Thermistor (NOTE: PT100 thermistor inputs are compatible with Arbin MZTC Multi-Chamber.)
- 10kOhm Thermistor

EIS

EIS (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) is an optional module to add to Arbin test systems to further enhance their capability. Each EIS module can be shared/used by up to 32 Arbin test channels. EIS data is synchronized with Arbin test data.
Compatible EIS modules include:
- Gamry 1010E
- Gamry 5000E
- Gamry Ref 3000
- Arbin ACIM module

Auxiliary Voltage Measurement

Auxiliary Voltage inputs (auxV) may be added to any Arbin system to measure the voltage of additional reference electrodes in a multi-electrode cell or experiment. Any number of auxV inputs can be added to the Arbin system. They function independently so the user may flexibly assign them in any configuration with the main charge/discharge test channels. All data is synchronized with main Arbin test data.

Digital or Analog I/O

Digital Input/Output (I/O) channels allow the Arbin system to send and receive a digital relay (high/low, on/off) signal it interface with external hardware. They function independently so the user may flexibly assign them in any configuration with the main charge/discharge test channels.
Digital I/O are commonly used to interact with client facility hardware or external hardware used with flow battery applications.

Analog Input/Output (I/O) channels allow the Arbin system to send and receive a (-10)-10V voltage signal or to interface with external hardware. They function independently so the user may flexibly assign them in any configuration with the main charge/discharge test channels.
Analog I/O are commonly used to interact with client facility hardware or external hardware used with flow battery applications.

Auto-Calibration Battery Holders Racks UPS CANBus

Auto-Calibration

Arbin offers an optional AutoCal module which can be used to re-calibrate the system when needed. All Arbin test equipment include a calibration interface as standard that can use an external meter to check or perform re-calibration. The AutoCal module is used to automate this process and will function without the need for an external meter.
NOTE: Arbin recommends equipment calibration is checked annually and re-calibrated as-needed.

AutoCal modules are available rated up to 200A, and High precision shunts are also available to use up to 600A.

Battery Holders

A variety of battery holders are available to complement any test lab. Arbin offers individual cell holders as well as trays & racks which can be used with a higher quantity of cells.

Individual cell holders are available for coincells, cylindrical cells, pouch cells, and a general interface with alligator clips.

Multi-cell Trays are available for coincells, cylindrical cells, pouch cells, and a blank tray interface. A variety of rack sizes are available to house these cell trays.

Racks

Arbin battery test equipment is always provided as a turnkey system with fully integrated chassis. They will be benchtop models or larger, floor-standing units.

Tester Racks are available to hold multiple Arbin test equipment modules and/or auxiliary options include the MZTC Multi-Chamber. Sizes include 15U, 24U, and 36U. These are each floor-standing racks to help organize various configurations of Arbin hardware for a growing test lab.

Battery Holder Racks are also available to house the multi-cell battery trays. Sizes include 5-layer, 8-layer, 16-tray, and 24-layer. These are each floor-standing racks to help organize large quantities of cells under test. The cell trays are purchased separately.
(1 layer holds 1 tray.)

UPS

Arbin offers an optional UPS (uninterruptable power supply) that is intended to provide power for the PC used with the Arbin battery test equipment. This allows the PC and Arbin software to continue running during a brief power outage and tests can automatically resume when power is restored. Relatively longer power outages will safely shut down the PC. Tests can always be resumed manually after any stoppage.

CANBus

Arbin offers CANBus interface(s) to allow real-time external control of the Arbin tester using CAN protocol. This option is typically applied for battery modules and packs to communicate with a BMS (battery management system), but can also be utilized for cell testing is the client needs external control via CAN.

NOTE: Additional methods of external control are available through Arbin's optional TCP/IP interface (Arbin "CTI").

Battery Testing Systems for High-Current Cell Testing Applications

Arbin’s LBT21 Series includes our LBT Cell HC battery test equipment, designed for high-current cell applications. With all of the features of our core LBT systems, our standard models in this LBT21 Series subset range from 5V - 30A to 10V - 250A. The LBT Cell HC testers are ideal for high-current life-cycle testing, cell grading, cell-level quality control, and other types of battery cell tests.

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Laboratory Battery Test Series (LBT)

Arbin's LBT Series Standard Models

Importance of Precision

LBTS-TC: Arbin's Turnkey Battery Testing