{"id":184385,"date":"2026-10-06T04:59:47","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T09:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/?p=184385"},"modified":"2026-10-06T05:58:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T10:58:36","slug":"what-is-a-battery-cycler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/ko\/what-is-a-battery-cycler.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Battery Cycler?"},"content":{"rendered":"<!-- Arbin AN-026 \"What Is a Battery Cycler?\" (no PDF). Paste the whole file into one Beaver Builder HTML module. --><header><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/\">Home<\/a> \u00a0\u203a\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/resources.html\">Resources<\/a> \u00a0\u203a\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/category\/application-notes\">Application Notes<\/a> \u00a0\u203a\u00a0 What is a battery cycler? Application Note AN-026\r\n<h1>What Is a Battery Cycler?<\/h1>\r\n<h2>Summary<\/h2>\r\n<p>A battery cycler charges and discharges a battery under programmed control while measuring voltage, current, time and temperature. This note explains how a cycler works, which parameters decide data quality, and how to select an Arbin cell testing system.<\/p>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/request-a-quote.html\">Talk to an Engineer<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/battery-test-equipment\/cell-testers.html\">See Arbin cell testers<\/a>\r\n<aside aria-label=\"Document information\">\r\n<dl>\r\n<dt>Document<\/dt>\r\n<dd>AN-026<\/dd>\r\n<dt>Released<\/dt>\r\n<dd>Oct 6, 2026<\/dd>\r\n<dt>Topic<\/dt>\r\n<dd>Accuracy &amp; Precision<\/dd>\r\n<dt>Test level<\/dt>\r\n<dd>Cell<\/dd>\r\n<dt>System<\/dt>\r\n<dd><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/battery-test-equipment\/cell-testers.html\">Arbin cell testers<\/a><\/dd>\r\n<dt>Software<\/dt>\r\n<dd>MITS<\/dd>\r\n<dt>Quality<\/dt>\r\n<dd>ISO 9001:2015 \u00b7 ISO\/IEC 17025<\/dd>\r\n<\/dl>\r\n<\/aside>\r\n<\/header><nav aria-label=\"Contents\">\r\n<h2>Contents<\/h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li><a href=\"#s1\">1What is a battery cycler?<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#s2\">2How a battery cycler works<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#s3\">3What to look for<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#s4\">4Software and data<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#s5\">5Auxiliaries and options<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#s6\">6Safety<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#s7\">7Linear and regenerative<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#s8\">8Arbin cell tester portfolio<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#s9\">9Conclusion<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"#refs\">\u00a0References<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<b>Choosing a system?<\/b> Tell us your cell format, current and voltage window and we will recommend a configuration. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/request-a-quote.html\">Talk to an Engineer<\/a><\/nav>\r\n<article>\r\n<section id=\"s1\">\r\n<h2>1What Is a Battery Cycler?<\/h2>\r\n<p>A battery cycler, or cell tester, is a programmable bidirectional source and load with high-accuracy measurement. Each test channel runs a schedule of steps and records voltage, current, time, capacity and energy. Beyond simple charge\u2013discharge cycling, modern cyclers run pulse, drive-cycle and electrochemical techniques. Because every result is derived from its measurements, measurement quality decides how small a difference, or how early a degradation trend, can be detected.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Table 1.<\/b> Battery cycler applications at a glance<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Applications<\/td>\r\n<td>EV and e-mobility \u00b7 Energy storage (ESS) \u00b7 Consumer electronics \u00b7 Aerospace \u00b7 Medical devices \u00b7 Power tools<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Chemistries<\/td>\r\n<td>Li-ion (NMC, NCA, LFP) \u00b7 LTO \u00b7 Solid-state \u00b7 Lithium metal \u00b7 Sodium-ion \u00b7 Li-S \u00b7 Lead-acid \u00b7 NiMH \u00b7 Supercapacitors<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Cell formats<\/td>\r\n<td>Coin \u00b7 Cylindrical (18650, 21700, 46xx) \u00b7 Pouch \u00b7 Prismatic \u00b7 Blade \u00b7 Three-electrode<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Test level<\/td>\r\n<td>Materials \u00b7 Cell \u00b7 Module \u00b7 Pack<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Test methods<\/td>\r\n<td>CC-CV cycling \u00b7 Lifecycle testing \u00b7 Rate capability \u00b7 DCIR \u00b7 HPPC \u00b7 GITT \u00b7 PITT \u00b7 Cyclic and linear sweep voltammetry \u00b7 EIS \u00b7 dQ\/dV \u00b7 Coulombic efficiency \u00b7 Self-discharge \u00b7 Drive cycles \u00b7 Formation and grading<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section id=\"s2\">\r\n<h2>2How a Battery Cycler Works<\/h2>\r\n<h3>2.1The Test Channel<\/h3>\r\n<p>A controller runs the schedule, a bipolar power stage charges and discharges the cell without relay switching, and 24-bit circuitry measures voltage, current and time (Figure\u00a01). Force leads (I+, I\u2212) carry the current; sense leads (V+, V\u2212) measure voltage directly at the cell, so cable losses do not affect the reading <a href=\"#r1\">[1]<\/a><a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-026-fig1-cycler-test-channel-kelvin.png\" alt=\"Block diagram of a battery cycler test channel with 4-wire Kelvin connection to a cell\" \/>\r\n<figcaption><b>Figure 1.<\/b> A cycler test channel and its 4-wire Kelvin connection to the cell.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<h3>2.2Control Modes<\/h3>\r\n<p><b>Table 2.<\/b> Common control modes<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Control mode<\/th>\r\n<th>Typical use<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Rest<\/td>\r\n<td>Relaxation, OCV, thermal soak<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Constant current \/ C-rate<\/td>\r\n<td>Capacity tests, standard charge and discharge<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Constant voltage<\/td>\r\n<td>CV phase of CC-CV charge<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Constant power \/ resistance<\/td>\r\n<td>Energy tests, load emulation<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Pulse<\/td>\r\n<td>DCIR, HPPC <a href=\"#r4\">[4]<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Drive cycle \/ simulation<\/td>\r\n<td>EV and field profiles<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Voltage sweep<\/td>\r\n<td>Cyclic and linear sweep voltammetry<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h3>2.3Steps, Step Limits and Log Limits<\/h3>\r\n<p>A schedule is a list of steps. Each step answers three questions (Figure\u00a02, Table\u00a03); safety limits run in the background and stop the test if a value leaves its window.<\/p>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-026-fig2-mits-step-control-limits.png\" alt=\"MITS Pro step editor showing the control box, step limit and log limit\" \/>\r\n<figcaption><b>Figure 2.<\/b> One step in MITS Pro: control (red box), step limit and log limit.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<p><b>Table 3.<\/b> The three parts of a step<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Part<\/th>\r\n<th>Question<\/th>\r\n<th>Example in Figure 2<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Control<\/td>\r\n<td>What does the channel do?<\/td>\r\n<td>Current (A) at 0\u00a0A<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Step limit<\/td>\r\n<td>When does the step end?<\/td>\r\n<td>Step time \u2265 1\u00a0min \u2192 next step<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Log limit<\/td>\r\n<td>When is data recorded?<\/td>\r\n<td>Every 1\u00a0min<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section id=\"s3\">\r\n<h2>3What to Look For in a Battery Cycler<\/h2>\r\n<p>Many battery testers show similar headline specifications, but the quality of the results depends on how the hardware is designed and built. The parameters below should be evaluated together, never individually; each one is described in general terms, followed by what Arbin offers <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h3>3.1Resolution<\/h3>\r\n<p>Resolution is the smallest change in measurement that the sense and control circuitry can detect, expressed in bits or in absolute units such as \u00b5V or \u00b5A. It is set by the analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters (ADC\/DAC): analog signals vary continuously, while digital signals change in discrete steps, so more bits means finer steps <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Higher resolution makes subtle changes visible that would otherwise be missed, for example a small rise in resistance as a cell approaches end of life, or a slight dip in coulombic efficiency <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\nArbin\r\n<p>24-bit resolution, one part in 16,777,216: a 256-fold improvement over the 16-bit resolution (one part in 65,536) that is the industry standard <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h3>3.2Precision<\/h3>\r\n<p>Precision is the level of noise in the measurement, and therefore its consistency and repeatability. It is expressed in parts per million (ppm): 100\u00a0ppm means the reading varies by no more than 0.01%. Resolution, quality of materials and thermal management all contribute <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>. Coulombic efficiency and differential capacity (dQ\/dV) are two metrics that need very high precision to give meaningful conclusions.<\/p>\r\n<p>When comparing datasheets, watch for these warning signs <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>precision is not specified at all;<\/li>\r\n<li>precision is derived from averaged values or very slow logging that hides the noise;<\/li>\r\n<li>precision is quoted for a coulombic-efficiency calculation instead of the hardware itself.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nArbin\r\n<p>Precision specified for voltage, current and time for each class of equipment: \u00b10.01% FSR (100\u00a0ppm) on cell testers and below 10\u00a0ppm on the HPS. Quartz timing crystals are used for measurement and time stamps <a href=\"#r1\">[1]<\/a><a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a><a href=\"#r3\">[3]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h3>3.3Accuracy<\/h3>\r\n<p>Accuracy is the trueness of the measurement: how close the average reading is to the true value. It is specified by comparison with a known source, such as a high-performance meter. Accuracy largely ignores noise, so an instrument with good accuracy can still produce noisy data if its precision is poor or if it is sensitive to temperature (Figure\u00a03) <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Two testers with similar accuracy specifications can therefore give very different data during the same current pulse: one smooth, one noisy. Because many testers have similar accuracy figures, accuracy should always be evaluated together with resolution and precision; on its own, it can hide real performance differences <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-026-fig3-accuracy-and-precision.png\" alt=\"Target diagram contrasting accuracy and precision\" \/>\r\n<figcaption><b>Figure 3.<\/b> Accuracy and precision.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\nArbin\r\n<p>\u00b10.02% FSR accuracy, published as a separate figure from precision <a href=\"#r1\">[1]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h3>3.4Current Ranges<\/h3>\r\n<p>Accuracy is expressed as a percentage of the full-scale range (FSR). A small current measured on a large range therefore carries a large relative error, while the same current on a smaller range is measured far more accurately. Each range acts like a higher magnification: moving from a 5\u00a0A to a 5\u00a0mA range reduces the error on a 3\u00a0mA reading from \u00b11\u00a0mA to \u00b11\u00a0\u00b5A (Figure\u00a04).<\/p>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-026-fig4-current-ranges-magnification.png\" alt=\"Diagram showing successive current ranges acting as magnification steps\" \/>\r\n<figcaption><b>Figure 4.<\/b> Current ranges as magnification steps (illustrative, \u00b10.02% FSR).<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<p>Multiple ranges matter whenever one test spans a wide current window, for example high-current pulses followed by the low-current tail of a CV charge, or self-discharge and coulombic-efficiency measurements. Check how many ranges each channel has, whether switching is automatic, and whether the accuracy specification still applies on the lowest range.<\/p>\r\nArbin\r\n<p>The first to apply multiple current ranges on a single test channel <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>. 2 or 4 auto-switching ranges per channel on cell testers and six on the HPS, with the accuracy specification valid on the lowest range <a href=\"#r1\">[1]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h3>3.5Temperature Stability<\/h3>\r\n<p>Temperature changes of the test equipment and of the cell always affect the measurement. This cannot be avoided, but it can be minimised. Gradual temperature changes slowly skew results, while sudden changes cause jumps in the data <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>. Check the temperature coefficient of the tester and how sensitive components are protected, and keep the cell itself at a constant temperature in a chamber.<\/p>\r\nArbin\r\n<p>About 0.000185% \/ \u00b0C through patented shunt designs and materials resistant to temperature fluctuation. Some systems also isolate and regulate sensitive components, using techniques developed in a multi-year investigation with Ford Motor Company and Sandia National Laboratories <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h3>3.6Timing and Data Logging<\/h3>\r\n<p>Capacity and energy are current integrated over time, so clock accuracy, minimum step time and logging rate directly affect the results. It also matters where capacity is calculated: values computed from the instrument\u2019s own sampling are more accurate than values calculated from logged or post-processed data <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>. Long tests and drive-cycle simulations can produce 100,000 points or more, so a non-proprietary database with backup is needed.<\/p>\r\nArbin\r\n<p>Under 20\u00a0ppm accumulated time error and 5\u00a0ms minimum step time <a href=\"#r1\">[1]<\/a>. Standard logging of 2,000 points per second per system, down to 0.05\u00a0ms with high-speed pulse hardware; capacity and energy calculated from microcontroller sampling; results stored in SQL <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h3>3.7Robustness, Duty Cycle and Power Rating<\/h3>\r\n<p>Quality of materials and construction determine how long the equipment lasts and how long it holds calibration. Modern batteries must last thousands of cycles, and EV and grid-storage cells tens of thousands, so the tester must run continuously. Many testers are not rated for their full calculated power (maximum voltage \u00d7 maximum current) at a 100% duty cycle. Low-quality equipment fails more often and needs frequent recalibration, which affects the validity of the data <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\nArbin\r\n<p>Rated for full voltage and full current at a 100% duty cycle; corrosion-resistant coatings on all circuitry; thermal management for sensitive components; true bipolar circuitry that removes switching time between charge and discharge and avoids relay wear in drive-cycle profiles <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h3>3.8Calibration<\/h3>\r\n<p>A tester can be no better than the reference used to calibrate it. Equipment that can be calibrated with a simple hand-held meter will not produce results better than that meter. Proper calibration needs a 6.5-digit or better digital multimeter, and some equipment requires 8.5 digits. Currents above the range of most multimeters need precision shunts <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\nArbin\r\n<p>NIST-traceable meters for all factory calibrations; an ISO\/IEC\u00a017025-accredited calibration laboratory and annual system calibration; an auto-calibration module; and high-precision shunts developed in a three-year ARPA-E project with Ford and Sandia National Laboratories <a href=\"#r1\">[1]<\/a><a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section id=\"s4\">\r\n<h2>4Software and Data<\/h2>\r\n<p>Software should not restrict the user to predefined tests, but give full control over voltage, current, power and load. Useful questions when evaluating cycler software <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Are capacity and energy calculated at the microcontroller level or from post-processed data?<\/li>\r\n<li>Is the number of steps limited?<\/li>\r\n<li>Are branching, looping and combined conditions supported?<\/li>\r\n<li>Can tests use formulas and meta variables, for example stopping at 80% of discharge capacity?<\/li>\r\n<li>Can current be set as a C-rate, and can channels be connected in parallel for higher current?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-026-fig5-mits-software-platform.jpg\" alt=\"The Arbin MITS software platform user interface\" \/>\r\n<figcaption><b>Figure 5.<\/b> MITS software platform.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\nArbin\r\n<p>MITS runs on Windows, macOS and Linux from one codebase: 30+ control types, 90+ meta variables plus user-defined variables, 9 nested loops and adaptive logging. Data is stored in SQL and analysed in DataWatcher; ArbinCTI provides a TCP\/IP API with Python and C# clients and Lua scripting; CDS and CMCS centralise data and monitoring (Figure\u00a05) <a href=\"#r1\">[1]<\/a><a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section id=\"s5\">\r\n<h2>5Auxiliaries and Options<\/h2>\r\n<p><b>Table 4.<\/b> Typical auxiliary options <a href=\"#r1\">[1]<\/a><a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a><\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Option<\/th>\r\n<th>Function<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Auxiliary voltage and temperature<\/td>\r\n<td>Reference electrodes, cell voltages in a pack; thermocouples, PT100 or thermistors for logging and safety limits<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>EIS interface<\/td>\r\n<td>Integrated Gamry EIS to 100\u00a0kHz, multiplexed across channels<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>I\/O and chamber control<\/td>\r\n<td>Analog and digital I\/O; control and step synchronisation of temperature chambers<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>CAN bus and SMBus<\/td>\r\n<td>Communication with a battery management system<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Holders and racks<\/td>\r\n<td>From coin cells up to 300\u00a0A pouch and 200\u00a0A cylindrical fixtures<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section id=\"s6\">\r\n<h2>6Safety<\/h2>\r\n<p>Even small cells can release significant energy in a failure, and thermal runaway is especially dangerous where many cells are tested in a small space and safety equipment may be lacking. Safety is addressed through prevention, with multiple layers of limits and redundant internal monitoring, and through containment, by isolating cells so that a failure cannot propagate <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\nArbin\r\n<p>Multiple layers of safety limits; a redundant microcontroller dedicated to safety monitoring; tests stop on loss of communication; multi-zone chambers isolate cells to prevent propagation <a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section id=\"s7\">\r\n<h2>7Linear and Regenerative Architectures<\/h2>\r\n<p>The key difference is what happens to the energy taken from the cell during discharge (Figure\u00a06).<\/p>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-026-fig6-linear-vs-regenerative.png\" alt=\"Diagram comparing a linear cycler dissipating energy as heat with a regenerative cycler returning energy to the grid\" \/>\r\n<figcaption><b>Figure 6.<\/b> Linear cyclers turn discharge energy into heat; regenerative cyclers return it to the grid.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Linear<\/th>\r\n<th>Regenerative<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Best for<\/td>\r\n<td>Highest precision, low to medium current<\/td>\r\n<td>High current, energy savings<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Typical use<\/td>\r\n<td>Research, characterisation, lifecycle testing<\/td>\r\n<td>High-capacity cells, fast charge, pulses<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Arbin systems<\/td>\r\n<td>LBTS-Cell, LBT-Benchtop, HPS, PDBT<\/td>\r\n<td>RBT-Cell<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section id=\"s8\">\r\n<h2>8Arbin Cell Tester Portfolio<\/h2>\r\n<p>Arbin cell testers cover 10\u00a0\u00b5A to 1,600\u00a0A per channel, from benchtop R&amp;D systems to industrial-scale and temperature-integrated cyclers. All systems share the same measurement core and the MITS software platform (Table\u00a05) <a href=\"#r1\">[1]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n24-bitVoltage and current resolution \u00b10.02% FSRMeasurement accuracy \u00b10.01% FSRPrecision (below 10 ppm on HPS) 5 msMinimum step time &lt; 20 ppmAccumulated time error 10 \u00b5A \u2013 1,600 ACurrent per channel across the range\r\n<p><b>Table 5.<\/b> Specifications common to Arbin cell testers <a href=\"#r1\">[1]<\/a><\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th>Parameter<\/th>\r\n<th>Specification<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Resolution<\/td>\r\n<td>24-bit on voltage and current (1 part in 16,777,216)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Accuracy<\/td>\r\n<td>\u00b10.02%\u00a0FSR, published separately from precision<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Precision<\/td>\r\n<td>\u00b10.01%\u00a0FSR (100\u00a0ppm) for voltage, current and time; below 10\u00a0ppm on HPS<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Current ranges<\/td>\r\n<td>2 or 4 auto-switching ranges per channel (6 on HPS); accuracy valid on the lowest range<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Minimum step time<\/td>\r\n<td>5\u00a0ms<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Time accuracy<\/td>\r\n<td>Under 20\u00a0ppm accumulated error<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Temperature coefficient<\/td>\r\n<td>~0.000185%\u00a0\/\u00a0\u00b0C<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Connection<\/td>\r\n<td>4-wire Kelvin on every channel<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Software<\/td>\r\n<td>MITS Pro, DataWatcher, ArbinCTI; Windows, macOS and Linux<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Calibration<\/td>\r\n<td>ISO\/IEC\u00a017025-accredited laboratory; annual system calibration<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h3>8.1Laboratory and Industrial Scale<\/h3>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-026-lbts-cell.jpg\" alt=\"Arbin LBTS-Cell battery cycler cabinet\" \/> Linear, all-purpose\r\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/battery-test-equipment\/lbts-cell.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LBTS-Cell<\/a><\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>10\u00a0\u00b5A \u2013 500\u00a0A per channel<\/li>\r\n<li>Voltage: 0\u20135\u00a0V or 0\u201310\u00a0V<\/li>\r\n<li>Channels: 4\u2013256<\/li>\r\n<li>Linear architecture, auto-switching ranges<\/li>\r\n<li>Thermal: MZTC or external chamber<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Use:<\/b> cell R&amp;D, characterisation, lifecycle testing, grading, incoming QC<\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-026-rbt-cell.jpg\" alt=\"Arbin RBT-Cell regenerative battery cycler\" \/> Regenerative, high current\r\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/battery-test-equipment\/rbt-cell.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RBT-Cell<\/a><\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>100 \u2013 400\u00a0A per channel, up to 1,600\u00a0A in parallel<\/li>\r\n<li>Voltage: 0\u20136\u00a0V or 0\u201320\u00a0V<\/li>\r\n<li>Channels: 4\u201364<\/li>\r\n<li>Energy returned to the grid, not dissipated as heat<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Use:<\/b> high-capacity cells, fast-charge development, pulse testing, energy-efficient cycling<\/p>\r\n<h3>8.2Benchtop Systems for R&amp;D<\/h3>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-026-hps.jpg\" alt=\"Arbin HPS ultra-high precision battery cycler\" \/> Ultra-high precision\r\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/battery-research\/high-precision-tester.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HPS<\/a><\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>100\u00a0\u00b5A \u2013 5\u00a0A per channel<\/li>\r\n<li>Six auto-selectable current ranges<\/li>\r\n<li>Voltage: \u00b16\u00a0V bipolar<\/li>\r\n<li>Precision below 10\u00a0ppm<\/li>\r\n<li>2 channels per unit; optional integrated chamber <a href=\"#r3\">[3]<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Use:<\/b> coulombic efficiency, materials research, early degradation detection<\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-026-lbt-benchtop.jpg\" alt=\"Arbin LBT benchtop battery cycler\" \/> Compact research system\r\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/battery-research\/lbt-benchtop.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LBT-Benchtop<\/a><\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>100\u00a0\u00b5A \u2013 10\u00a0A per channel<\/li>\r\n<li>Voltage: 0\u20135\u00a0V or 0\u201310\u00a0V<\/li>\r\n<li>Channels: 8\u201316<\/li>\r\n<li>Standalone or with integrated chamber<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Use:<\/b> laboratory research, capacity, ageing, QC, impedance, self-discharge<\/p>\r\n<h3>8.3Integrated Temperature Control<\/h3>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-026-lbts-mztc.jpg\" alt=\"Arbin LBTS-MZTC cycler with multi-zone temperature chamber\" \/> Turnkey cycler and chamber\r\n<h4>LBTS-MZTC<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>5, 10 or 20\u00a0A per channel<\/li>\r\n<li>32 integrated test channels<\/li>\r\n<li>16 isolated temperature zones<\/li>\r\n<li>Independently managed setpoints<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Use:<\/b> multi-temperature cell development, electro-thermal characterisation<\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-026-sbtr.jpg\" alt=\"Arbin SBTR smart battery tray with per-cell temperature control\" \/> Smart Battery Tray\r\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/battery-test-equipment\/sbtr.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SBTR<\/a><\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>30 \u2013 200\u00a0A per cell<\/li>\r\n<li>Channels: 4\u201396<\/li>\r\n<li>Individual TEC per cell, \u00b12\u00a0\u00b0C<\/li>\r\n<li>Independent closed-loop heating and cooling<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><b>Use:<\/b> fast-charge testing of 18650, 21700 and 46xx cells<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section id=\"s9\">\r\n<h2>9Conclusion<\/h2>\r\n<p>A cycler\u2019s resolution, precision, accuracy, current ranges, stability and calibration decide how far its results can be trusted, and should be evaluated as a set. Arbin cell testers cover 10\u00a0\u00b5A to 1,600\u00a0A per channel on one MITS platform, backed by ISO\u00a09001:2015 quality and ISO\/IEC\u00a017025 calibration <a href=\"#r1\">[1]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Founded in 1991, Arbin supports systems worldwide with a two-year standard warranty <a href=\"#r1\">[1]<\/a><a href=\"#r2\">[2]<\/a>. For a recommendation for your application, contact <a href=\"mailto:sales@arbin.com\">sales@arbin.com<\/a> or <a href=\"tel:+19796902751\">+1 979 690 2751<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section id=\"refs\">\r\n<h2>References<\/h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li id=\"r1\">[1]Arbin Instruments, \u201cBattery Cell Testers &amp; Cyclers,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/battery-test-equipment\/cell-testers.html\">arbin.com\/battery-test-equipment\/cell-testers.html<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li id=\"r2\">[2]Arbin Instruments, \u201cHow to Evaluate Battery Test Equipment,\u201d rev.\u00a04, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Evaluating-a-Battery-Tester_rev4.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PDF<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li id=\"r3\">[3]Arbin Instruments, \u201cHPS Ultra-High Precision Battery Cycler,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/battery-research\/high-precision-tester.html\">arbin.com\/battery-research\/high-precision-tester.html<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li id=\"r4\">[4]Arbin Instruments, \u201cHybrid Pulse Power Characterization (HPPC) Testing with Arbin MITS Pro,\u201d Application Note AN-024, 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/hybrid-pulse-power-characterization-hppc-testing-with-arbin-mits-pro.html\">Read the note<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/an-026-lbts-cell.jpg\" alt=\"Arbin LBTS-Cell battery cycler\" \/>\r\n<p>Systems in this note<\/p>\r\n<h3>Arbin Cell Testers<\/h3>\r\n<p>10\u00a0\u00b5A to 1,600\u00a0A per channel, 24-bit measurement and control, \u00b10.01% FSR precision, auto-switching current ranges and optional integrated temperature control \u2014 all on the MITS platform.<\/p>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/battery-test-equipment\/cell-testers.html\">See all cell testers<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/request-a-quote.html\">Get a quote<\/a>\r\n<h3>Not sure which cycler fits your cells?<\/h3>\r\n<p>Send us your cell format, current and voltage window, and the tests you plan to run. An applications engineer will recommend a configuration.<\/p>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/request-a-quote.html\">Talk to an Engineer<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/request-a-quote.html\">Get a Quote<\/a><\/article>\r\n<section>\r\n<h2>Related application notes<\/h2>\r\n<p>Measurement quality, resistance and cell selection on Arbin systems.<\/p>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/hybrid-pulse-power-characterization-hppc-testing-with-arbin-mits-pro.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AN-024Resistance &amp; Power<\/a>\r\n<h3>Hybrid Pulse Power Characterization (HPPC) Testing<\/h3>\r\n<p>Pulse resistance and pulse power, measured on an Arbin HPS.<\/p>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/hybrid-pulse-power-characterization-hppc-testing-with-arbin-mits-pro.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read note \u2192<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/battery-cell-grading-and-matching-precision-pack-performance.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AN-025Cell Grading &amp; Matching<\/a>\r\n<h3>Battery Cell Grading and Matching<\/h3>\r\n<p>Why measurement precision determines how narrowly cells can be binned.<\/p>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/battery-cell-grading-and-matching-precision-pack-performance.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read note \u2192<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/how-to-perform-dc-internal-resistance-measurement-with-arbin.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AN-013Resistance &amp; Power<\/a>\r\n<h3>DC Internal Resistance measurement with Arbin<\/h3>\r\n<p>How MITS measures DC internal resistance with the pulse method.<\/p>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/how-to-perform-dc-internal-resistance-measurement-with-arbin.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read note \u2192<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Evaluating-a-Battery-Tester_rev4.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PDFAccuracy &amp; Precision<\/a>\r\n<h3>How to Evaluate Battery Test Equipment<\/h3>\r\n<p>The full guide to the specifications covered in section 3.<\/p>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arbin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Evaluating-a-Battery-Tester_rev4.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Open PDF \u2192<\/a><\/section>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How a battery cycler works, the specifications that decide data quality, and how to choose a cell testing system.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":184392,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"What Is a Battery Cycler? 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