Impedance tester BITE5

voltageresistancetemperature

Overview
The BITE5 and BITE5 Advanced are impedance (ohmic) battery testers for on-site assessment of lead-acid (VLA and VRLA), NiCd and lithium‑ion cells and modules. They provide a touch-screen interface for single-cell and string-level testing and — when used with a Torkel discharge test set — support discharge testing with continuous cell monitoring.

Key capabilities

• Measure individual cell impedance (ohmic), cell voltage and cell temperature; BITE5 Advanced also measures inter-cell (strap) resistance.
• Support discharge testing: with a Torkel set, capture cell voltage, impedance and temperature throughout discharge and recharge cycles.
• On-instrument trending and touch-screen setup for immediate decision-making on site.
• Monitor modules up to 200 V DC (BITE5) or up to 500 V DC (BITE5 Advanced); voltage measurement to 1000 V DC and 600 V AC.
• BITE5 Advanced: higher test current for accurate strap resistance measurement and ability to test parallel strings without segmentation; includes RFID tag reader for fast asset ID.
• Probe design (two concentric tips) for access via safety caps/lugs.

Measurement options

• Cell impedance (ohmic)
• Cell voltage
• Ripple voltage
• AC ripple current
• DC float current
• Inter-cell (strap) resistance (BITE5 Advanced)

Data handling and communications
Results and trends are viewable on the instrument and stored for export via SD card or USB. Wireless transfer to the PowerDB software suite is supported for central analysis, baseline building and alarm criteria configuration.

Use cases
Suitable for substations, telecom, UPS, data centres, solar and wind installations and other stationary battery systems where quick online assessment or cell-level trending is required.

Interpreting test results (guideline table)
Column headings: "| Test case | Warning (%) | Alarm (%) | Warning (% from baseline) | Alarm (% from baseline)"
Lead-acid, Flooded | 15 | 30 | 30 | 50
Lead-acid, VRLA AGM | 10 | 30 | 20 | 50
Lead-acid, VRLA Gel | 20 | 30 | 30 | 50
NiCd, Flooded | 10 | 20 | 15 | 30
NiCd, Sealed | 10 | 20 | 15 | 30
Inter-cell Connections (Straps) | 15 | 20 | - | -

Documents and software
Product documentation includes data sheets, user guides, application notes, case studies, firmware and software (PowerDB / Torkel Viewer). Firmware and update instructions are published for both models; exported results integrate with PowerDB for historical analysis.

Additional notes
The BITE5 series supports a special impedance mode usable during discharge tests to trend impedance through discharge and establish baseline impedance values for strings.

Technical specifications

• Supported battery types: lead‑acid (VLA & VRLA), NiCd, lithium‑ion.
• Impedance testing: individual cell impedance measurement; configurable pass/warn/fail limits.
• Discharge test support: compatible with Torkel discharge sets (BITE5 Advanced supports recharge monitoring).
• Module voltage range: up to 200 V DC (BITE5), up to 500 V DC (BITE5 Advanced).
• Voltage measurement range: up to 1000 V DC and 600 V AC.
• Inter-cell (strap) resistance: measurable with BITE5 Advanced (higher test current).
• User interface: colour touch screen with on-instrument trending.
• Data storage & communication: SD card, USB; wireless transfer to PowerDB supported.
• Power source: internal battery.
• Extras: RFID tag reader on BITE5 Advanced; two concentric probe tips for access through safety caps/lugs.