Does battery voltage actually get lower when connected to a load, or does it just appear to do so?











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Sorry if Im wording this question strangely. I am using a 3.7V battery and my microcontroller monitors the voltage and goes to sleep if my battery voltage is too low. The issue is that it reads a lower voltage than the battery shows if I disconnect it and check it with my multimeter. For example, my microcontroller would read 3.65V when my multimeter would read my disconnected battery at 3.8V. Is my microcontroller reading the voltage incorrectly or should I treat the with-load voltage that my microcontroller is readings as the actual voltage?










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  • 1




    Are you measuring the battery (connected vs disconnected) with the multimeter both times, or are you comparing something internal from the microcontroller? Use the multimeter to make the measurement while the controller is connected if you can.
    – mbrig
    7 hours ago















up vote
4
down vote

favorite












Sorry if Im wording this question strangely. I am using a 3.7V battery and my microcontroller monitors the voltage and goes to sleep if my battery voltage is too low. The issue is that it reads a lower voltage than the battery shows if I disconnect it and check it with my multimeter. For example, my microcontroller would read 3.65V when my multimeter would read my disconnected battery at 3.8V. Is my microcontroller reading the voltage incorrectly or should I treat the with-load voltage that my microcontroller is readings as the actual voltage?










share|improve this question


















  • 1




    Are you measuring the battery (connected vs disconnected) with the multimeter both times, or are you comparing something internal from the microcontroller? Use the multimeter to make the measurement while the controller is connected if you can.
    – mbrig
    7 hours ago













up vote
4
down vote

favorite









up vote
4
down vote

favorite











Sorry if Im wording this question strangely. I am using a 3.7V battery and my microcontroller monitors the voltage and goes to sleep if my battery voltage is too low. The issue is that it reads a lower voltage than the battery shows if I disconnect it and check it with my multimeter. For example, my microcontroller would read 3.65V when my multimeter would read my disconnected battery at 3.8V. Is my microcontroller reading the voltage incorrectly or should I treat the with-load voltage that my microcontroller is readings as the actual voltage?










share|improve this question













Sorry if Im wording this question strangely. I am using a 3.7V battery and my microcontroller monitors the voltage and goes to sleep if my battery voltage is too low. The issue is that it reads a lower voltage than the battery shows if I disconnect it and check it with my multimeter. For example, my microcontroller would read 3.65V when my multimeter would read my disconnected battery at 3.8V. Is my microcontroller reading the voltage incorrectly or should I treat the with-load voltage that my microcontroller is readings as the actual voltage?







voltage batteries






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asked 8 hours ago









Tapatio Sombrero

312




312








  • 1




    Are you measuring the battery (connected vs disconnected) with the multimeter both times, or are you comparing something internal from the microcontroller? Use the multimeter to make the measurement while the controller is connected if you can.
    – mbrig
    7 hours ago














  • 1




    Are you measuring the battery (connected vs disconnected) with the multimeter both times, or are you comparing something internal from the microcontroller? Use the multimeter to make the measurement while the controller is connected if you can.
    – mbrig
    7 hours ago








1




1




Are you measuring the battery (connected vs disconnected) with the multimeter both times, or are you comparing something internal from the microcontroller? Use the multimeter to make the measurement while the controller is connected if you can.
– mbrig
7 hours ago




Are you measuring the battery (connected vs disconnected) with the multimeter both times, or are you comparing something internal from the microcontroller? Use the multimeter to make the measurement while the controller is connected if you can.
– mbrig
7 hours ago










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
6
down vote













When the battery is open you are measuring an open cell voltage. When the battery is in the system it's closed cell voltage under load. You are dropping some voltage across the internal impedance of the battery because your system is drawing current when the measurement is being made (so at the terminals the voltage is indeed lower). So both measurements MCU and multimeter are correct, the difference is that the multimeter is >1Mohm load while the MCU is much lower (since probably drawing at least mAs of power).



There may be another effect at play. Batteries do exhibit a recovery phenomenon where if left open cell with no load some of the voltage will recover after a time interval.






share|improve this answer





















  • So I want my microcontroller to go to sleep when my battery is at 3.6V. The connected closed cell votlage under load seems to be 0.2V less than the open cell voltage. Should I sleep when my microcontroller reads 3.4V? Or just sleep when it reads 3.6V even though it would still show 3.8V open cell?
    – Tapatio Sombrero
    6 hours ago












  • That is one option. You are correlating your open and closed cell voltages and assuming linear mapping. However, keep in mind that various cells may have different internal impedance. If you are mass producing a product corner/data studies must be done to figure out what the mapping should be. Another option is to place the system in the lowest power state possible (turn off all peripherals and functions expect MCU at some low power state). If you can then measure voltage under a very light load your MCU and multi-meter readings should be closer and have less error.
    – Gonzik007
    4 hours ago












  • Also make sure to check your battery chemistry. Make sure that there is no hard requirement for safe shutdown. You want to make sure that your measurement error can never place the cell into some unsafe state. With the voltages you list, and assuming lithium battery you should be ok, but just thought it worth mentioning.
    – Gonzik007
    4 hours ago


















up vote
4
down vote













Every battery has a certain amount of output resistance. What happens if current flows through a resistor? Yes, a voltage drop! So the more current you draw from the battery, the lower the output voltage is.






share|improve this answer




























    up vote
    1
    down vote













    All batteries have a memory effect when unloaded such that they return slowly to near the previous voltage after a short burst load. There is also momentary quick drop in voltage due to a load of ESR*I = Δ V.



    So both measurements must be taken at the same time to check calibration for errors and consider the amount of hysteresis thresholds required to prevent oscillation of sleep, wake-up cycles.



    The memory effect time constant can be several to many minutes depending on the "no-load" leakage current after a load.



    Because of these combined effects which might be computed for a given cell (ΔV= ESR * V/Rload + t/ESR * C2) the cut-off voltage is often lowered to capture the charge stored in memory capacitance C2 as long you know it returns to the safe Vmin threshold. Battery rapid aging occurs for the amount of time below its Vmin threshold.



    Review the battery datasheet for details.






    share|improve this answer






























      up vote
      0
      down vote













      A new battery will have much less loaded voltage drop than you have.
      An old, worn out, or damaged Lithium battery has a much higher internal resistance than a new battery. It is damaged if it has been fully charged for longer than a few months, if it has been discharged too low or if it has had too many charge-discharge cycles.






      share|improve this answer





















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        4 Answers
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        4 Answers
        4






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        up vote
        6
        down vote













        When the battery is open you are measuring an open cell voltage. When the battery is in the system it's closed cell voltage under load. You are dropping some voltage across the internal impedance of the battery because your system is drawing current when the measurement is being made (so at the terminals the voltage is indeed lower). So both measurements MCU and multimeter are correct, the difference is that the multimeter is >1Mohm load while the MCU is much lower (since probably drawing at least mAs of power).



        There may be another effect at play. Batteries do exhibit a recovery phenomenon where if left open cell with no load some of the voltage will recover after a time interval.






        share|improve this answer





















        • So I want my microcontroller to go to sleep when my battery is at 3.6V. The connected closed cell votlage under load seems to be 0.2V less than the open cell voltage. Should I sleep when my microcontroller reads 3.4V? Or just sleep when it reads 3.6V even though it would still show 3.8V open cell?
          – Tapatio Sombrero
          6 hours ago












        • That is one option. You are correlating your open and closed cell voltages and assuming linear mapping. However, keep in mind that various cells may have different internal impedance. If you are mass producing a product corner/data studies must be done to figure out what the mapping should be. Another option is to place the system in the lowest power state possible (turn off all peripherals and functions expect MCU at some low power state). If you can then measure voltage under a very light load your MCU and multi-meter readings should be closer and have less error.
          – Gonzik007
          4 hours ago












        • Also make sure to check your battery chemistry. Make sure that there is no hard requirement for safe shutdown. You want to make sure that your measurement error can never place the cell into some unsafe state. With the voltages you list, and assuming lithium battery you should be ok, but just thought it worth mentioning.
          – Gonzik007
          4 hours ago















        up vote
        6
        down vote













        When the battery is open you are measuring an open cell voltage. When the battery is in the system it's closed cell voltage under load. You are dropping some voltage across the internal impedance of the battery because your system is drawing current when the measurement is being made (so at the terminals the voltage is indeed lower). So both measurements MCU and multimeter are correct, the difference is that the multimeter is >1Mohm load while the MCU is much lower (since probably drawing at least mAs of power).



        There may be another effect at play. Batteries do exhibit a recovery phenomenon where if left open cell with no load some of the voltage will recover after a time interval.






        share|improve this answer





















        • So I want my microcontroller to go to sleep when my battery is at 3.6V. The connected closed cell votlage under load seems to be 0.2V less than the open cell voltage. Should I sleep when my microcontroller reads 3.4V? Or just sleep when it reads 3.6V even though it would still show 3.8V open cell?
          – Tapatio Sombrero
          6 hours ago












        • That is one option. You are correlating your open and closed cell voltages and assuming linear mapping. However, keep in mind that various cells may have different internal impedance. If you are mass producing a product corner/data studies must be done to figure out what the mapping should be. Another option is to place the system in the lowest power state possible (turn off all peripherals and functions expect MCU at some low power state). If you can then measure voltage under a very light load your MCU and multi-meter readings should be closer and have less error.
          – Gonzik007
          4 hours ago












        • Also make sure to check your battery chemistry. Make sure that there is no hard requirement for safe shutdown. You want to make sure that your measurement error can never place the cell into some unsafe state. With the voltages you list, and assuming lithium battery you should be ok, but just thought it worth mentioning.
          – Gonzik007
          4 hours ago













        up vote
        6
        down vote










        up vote
        6
        down vote









        When the battery is open you are measuring an open cell voltage. When the battery is in the system it's closed cell voltage under load. You are dropping some voltage across the internal impedance of the battery because your system is drawing current when the measurement is being made (so at the terminals the voltage is indeed lower). So both measurements MCU and multimeter are correct, the difference is that the multimeter is >1Mohm load while the MCU is much lower (since probably drawing at least mAs of power).



        There may be another effect at play. Batteries do exhibit a recovery phenomenon where if left open cell with no load some of the voltage will recover after a time interval.






        share|improve this answer












        When the battery is open you are measuring an open cell voltage. When the battery is in the system it's closed cell voltage under load. You are dropping some voltage across the internal impedance of the battery because your system is drawing current when the measurement is being made (so at the terminals the voltage is indeed lower). So both measurements MCU and multimeter are correct, the difference is that the multimeter is >1Mohm load while the MCU is much lower (since probably drawing at least mAs of power).



        There may be another effect at play. Batteries do exhibit a recovery phenomenon where if left open cell with no load some of the voltage will recover after a time interval.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 8 hours ago









        Gonzik007

        2,5971021




        2,5971021












        • So I want my microcontroller to go to sleep when my battery is at 3.6V. The connected closed cell votlage under load seems to be 0.2V less than the open cell voltage. Should I sleep when my microcontroller reads 3.4V? Or just sleep when it reads 3.6V even though it would still show 3.8V open cell?
          – Tapatio Sombrero
          6 hours ago












        • That is one option. You are correlating your open and closed cell voltages and assuming linear mapping. However, keep in mind that various cells may have different internal impedance. If you are mass producing a product corner/data studies must be done to figure out what the mapping should be. Another option is to place the system in the lowest power state possible (turn off all peripherals and functions expect MCU at some low power state). If you can then measure voltage under a very light load your MCU and multi-meter readings should be closer and have less error.
          – Gonzik007
          4 hours ago












        • Also make sure to check your battery chemistry. Make sure that there is no hard requirement for safe shutdown. You want to make sure that your measurement error can never place the cell into some unsafe state. With the voltages you list, and assuming lithium battery you should be ok, but just thought it worth mentioning.
          – Gonzik007
          4 hours ago


















        • So I want my microcontroller to go to sleep when my battery is at 3.6V. The connected closed cell votlage under load seems to be 0.2V less than the open cell voltage. Should I sleep when my microcontroller reads 3.4V? Or just sleep when it reads 3.6V even though it would still show 3.8V open cell?
          – Tapatio Sombrero
          6 hours ago












        • That is one option. You are correlating your open and closed cell voltages and assuming linear mapping. However, keep in mind that various cells may have different internal impedance. If you are mass producing a product corner/data studies must be done to figure out what the mapping should be. Another option is to place the system in the lowest power state possible (turn off all peripherals and functions expect MCU at some low power state). If you can then measure voltage under a very light load your MCU and multi-meter readings should be closer and have less error.
          – Gonzik007
          4 hours ago












        • Also make sure to check your battery chemistry. Make sure that there is no hard requirement for safe shutdown. You want to make sure that your measurement error can never place the cell into some unsafe state. With the voltages you list, and assuming lithium battery you should be ok, but just thought it worth mentioning.
          – Gonzik007
          4 hours ago
















        So I want my microcontroller to go to sleep when my battery is at 3.6V. The connected closed cell votlage under load seems to be 0.2V less than the open cell voltage. Should I sleep when my microcontroller reads 3.4V? Or just sleep when it reads 3.6V even though it would still show 3.8V open cell?
        – Tapatio Sombrero
        6 hours ago






        So I want my microcontroller to go to sleep when my battery is at 3.6V. The connected closed cell votlage under load seems to be 0.2V less than the open cell voltage. Should I sleep when my microcontroller reads 3.4V? Or just sleep when it reads 3.6V even though it would still show 3.8V open cell?
        – Tapatio Sombrero
        6 hours ago














        That is one option. You are correlating your open and closed cell voltages and assuming linear mapping. However, keep in mind that various cells may have different internal impedance. If you are mass producing a product corner/data studies must be done to figure out what the mapping should be. Another option is to place the system in the lowest power state possible (turn off all peripherals and functions expect MCU at some low power state). If you can then measure voltage under a very light load your MCU and multi-meter readings should be closer and have less error.
        – Gonzik007
        4 hours ago






        That is one option. You are correlating your open and closed cell voltages and assuming linear mapping. However, keep in mind that various cells may have different internal impedance. If you are mass producing a product corner/data studies must be done to figure out what the mapping should be. Another option is to place the system in the lowest power state possible (turn off all peripherals and functions expect MCU at some low power state). If you can then measure voltage under a very light load your MCU and multi-meter readings should be closer and have less error.
        – Gonzik007
        4 hours ago














        Also make sure to check your battery chemistry. Make sure that there is no hard requirement for safe shutdown. You want to make sure that your measurement error can never place the cell into some unsafe state. With the voltages you list, and assuming lithium battery you should be ok, but just thought it worth mentioning.
        – Gonzik007
        4 hours ago




        Also make sure to check your battery chemistry. Make sure that there is no hard requirement for safe shutdown. You want to make sure that your measurement error can never place the cell into some unsafe state. With the voltages you list, and assuming lithium battery you should be ok, but just thought it worth mentioning.
        – Gonzik007
        4 hours ago












        up vote
        4
        down vote













        Every battery has a certain amount of output resistance. What happens if current flows through a resistor? Yes, a voltage drop! So the more current you draw from the battery, the lower the output voltage is.






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          4
          down vote













          Every battery has a certain amount of output resistance. What happens if current flows through a resistor? Yes, a voltage drop! So the more current you draw from the battery, the lower the output voltage is.






          share|improve this answer























            up vote
            4
            down vote










            up vote
            4
            down vote









            Every battery has a certain amount of output resistance. What happens if current flows through a resistor? Yes, a voltage drop! So the more current you draw from the battery, the lower the output voltage is.






            share|improve this answer












            Every battery has a certain amount of output resistance. What happens if current flows through a resistor? Yes, a voltage drop! So the more current you draw from the battery, the lower the output voltage is.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 8 hours ago









            Stefan Wyss

            1,978313




            1,978313






















                up vote
                1
                down vote













                All batteries have a memory effect when unloaded such that they return slowly to near the previous voltage after a short burst load. There is also momentary quick drop in voltage due to a load of ESR*I = Δ V.



                So both measurements must be taken at the same time to check calibration for errors and consider the amount of hysteresis thresholds required to prevent oscillation of sleep, wake-up cycles.



                The memory effect time constant can be several to many minutes depending on the "no-load" leakage current after a load.



                Because of these combined effects which might be computed for a given cell (ΔV= ESR * V/Rload + t/ESR * C2) the cut-off voltage is often lowered to capture the charge stored in memory capacitance C2 as long you know it returns to the safe Vmin threshold. Battery rapid aging occurs for the amount of time below its Vmin threshold.



                Review the battery datasheet for details.






                share|improve this answer



























                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote













                  All batteries have a memory effect when unloaded such that they return slowly to near the previous voltage after a short burst load. There is also momentary quick drop in voltage due to a load of ESR*I = Δ V.



                  So both measurements must be taken at the same time to check calibration for errors and consider the amount of hysteresis thresholds required to prevent oscillation of sleep, wake-up cycles.



                  The memory effect time constant can be several to many minutes depending on the "no-load" leakage current after a load.



                  Because of these combined effects which might be computed for a given cell (ΔV= ESR * V/Rload + t/ESR * C2) the cut-off voltage is often lowered to capture the charge stored in memory capacitance C2 as long you know it returns to the safe Vmin threshold. Battery rapid aging occurs for the amount of time below its Vmin threshold.



                  Review the battery datasheet for details.






                  share|improve this answer

























                    up vote
                    1
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    1
                    down vote









                    All batteries have a memory effect when unloaded such that they return slowly to near the previous voltage after a short burst load. There is also momentary quick drop in voltage due to a load of ESR*I = Δ V.



                    So both measurements must be taken at the same time to check calibration for errors and consider the amount of hysteresis thresholds required to prevent oscillation of sleep, wake-up cycles.



                    The memory effect time constant can be several to many minutes depending on the "no-load" leakage current after a load.



                    Because of these combined effects which might be computed for a given cell (ΔV= ESR * V/Rload + t/ESR * C2) the cut-off voltage is often lowered to capture the charge stored in memory capacitance C2 as long you know it returns to the safe Vmin threshold. Battery rapid aging occurs for the amount of time below its Vmin threshold.



                    Review the battery datasheet for details.






                    share|improve this answer














                    All batteries have a memory effect when unloaded such that they return slowly to near the previous voltage after a short burst load. There is also momentary quick drop in voltage due to a load of ESR*I = Δ V.



                    So both measurements must be taken at the same time to check calibration for errors and consider the amount of hysteresis thresholds required to prevent oscillation of sleep, wake-up cycles.



                    The memory effect time constant can be several to many minutes depending on the "no-load" leakage current after a load.



                    Because of these combined effects which might be computed for a given cell (ΔV= ESR * V/Rload + t/ESR * C2) the cut-off voltage is often lowered to capture the charge stored in memory capacitance C2 as long you know it returns to the safe Vmin threshold. Battery rapid aging occurs for the amount of time below its Vmin threshold.



                    Review the battery datasheet for details.







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited 8 hours ago

























                    answered 8 hours ago









                    Tony EE rocketscientist

                    60.8k22192




                    60.8k22192






















                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        A new battery will have much less loaded voltage drop than you have.
                        An old, worn out, or damaged Lithium battery has a much higher internal resistance than a new battery. It is damaged if it has been fully charged for longer than a few months, if it has been discharged too low or if it has had too many charge-discharge cycles.






                        share|improve this answer

























                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          A new battery will have much less loaded voltage drop than you have.
                          An old, worn out, or damaged Lithium battery has a much higher internal resistance than a new battery. It is damaged if it has been fully charged for longer than a few months, if it has been discharged too low or if it has had too many charge-discharge cycles.






                          share|improve this answer























                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote









                            A new battery will have much less loaded voltage drop than you have.
                            An old, worn out, or damaged Lithium battery has a much higher internal resistance than a new battery. It is damaged if it has been fully charged for longer than a few months, if it has been discharged too low or if it has had too many charge-discharge cycles.






                            share|improve this answer












                            A new battery will have much less loaded voltage drop than you have.
                            An old, worn out, or damaged Lithium battery has a much higher internal resistance than a new battery. It is damaged if it has been fully charged for longer than a few months, if it has been discharged too low or if it has had too many charge-discharge cycles.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 3 hours ago









                            Audioguru

                            3863




                            3863






























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