Internal short circuit

Example

Use in Lemonergy

Connect mechanisms with appropriate test evidence.

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Learn it in Lesson 1 · Cell anatomy →

Connected concepts

Related concepts from the knowledge graph. Connections show context, not cause and effect. Hover or focus a linked term for its definition.

Dendrite

A tree-like metal deposit that can grow from the negative electrode through the separator, raising self-discharge or causing an internal short circuit.

External short circuit

A low-resistance connection between the terminals outside the cell, driving currents of hundreds of amperes. Fuses, the current interrupt device and a positive-temperature-coefficient element are the layers of protection against it.

Internal short-circuit trigger device

A small device built into a cell during assembly that creates an internal short circuit on demand: a thin wax layer keeps two conductors apart until the cell is heated past the wax’s melting point, roughly 40–60 °C. Developed by NREL with NASA, it reproduces latent field shorts more realistically than nail penetration.

Self-discharge

The slow loss of stored charge while a cell is not in use. An unexpected rise can signal a leakage path or a soft internal short.

Separator

A porous, electronically insulating film between the electrodes. Electrons cannot cross it; ions move through the electrolyte in its pores.

Thermal runaway

Self-accelerating heating in a cell: heat speeds up reactions that release more heat, until the cell vents, catches fire or ruptures. An internal short, overcharge or external heating can trigger it.

References & further reading

Technical references

1. Thermal runaway mechanism of lithium ion battery for electric vehicles: A review

   Xuning Feng et al. · Energy Storage Materials · 2018

   Technical reference · Electrical, mechanical and thermal abuse; thermal-runaway mechanisms and propagation.