Commercial Battery Chargers

THE PRODUCT:

Commercial battery chargers include chargers for electric lift trucks (i.e., fork lifts) used in commercial and industrial applications and for emergency backup lighting (e.g., exit lighting) used in buildings. 

THE STANDARD:

There are currently no federal standards for commercial battery chargers. However, California, Oregon, and New York have adopted standards for large commercial battery chargers (e.g., for electric lift trucks).

KEY FACTS:

Battery chargers generally operate in three modes: no-battery, maintenance, and active modes. In no-battery mode, the charger is plugged in but is not connected to a battery. In maintenance mode, the charger is plugged in and attached to the battery, which is fully charged. In active mode, the charger is plugged in and attached to the battery, which is being charged. Inefficient battery chargers often continue to provide constant current to the battery even after the battery is fully charged.