Intermittent Test - A test during which a battery is subjected to alternate periods of discharge and rest according to a specified discharge regime.
Absorption - The taking up or retention of one material by another by chemical or molecular action.
Earthing system IT - Earthing system in which the neutral is isolated from the earth or connected to the earth via a high impedance and the various exposed conductive parts are connected to the earth via individual earthing circuits. An alarm must signal the appearance of a first insulation fault. The installation must be de-energized immediately in the event of a second insulation fault.
Ambient Temperature - The average temperature of the surroundings.
UPS (Uninterruptible Power supply) - An electrical device providing an interface between the main power supply and sensitive loads (computer systems, instrumentation, etc.). The UPS supplies sinusoidal AC power free of disturbances and within strict amplitude and frequency tolerances. It is generally made up of a rectifier/charger and an inverter together with a battery for backup power in the event of a mains failure.
AB5 - A metal alloy (e.g., LaNi5) capable of undergoing a reversible hydrogen absorption/desorption reaction as the battery is charged and discharged, respectively.
Rechargeable (or "Secondary") Battery - A galvanic battery which, after discharge, may be restored to the fully charged state by the passage of an electrical current through the cell in the opposite direction to that of discharge.
