HBL NCFP Nickel-Cadmium Batteries

HBL Nickel Cadmium Fiber Plate (NCFP) batteries combine high energy density, excellent cycle life, rapid recharge capability, and rugged mechanical construction. Available in extreme high-rate, high-rate, medium-rate, and long-rate configurations, NCFP batteries can be optimized for a wide range of industrial standby, starting, and cycling applications.

Alpine Power Systems can help evaluate your load requirements, select the appropriate NCFP range, and provide a complete battery solution for your critical application.

Advanced Nickel-Cadmium Fiber Plate Technology

HBL NCFP batteries use a three-dimensional, nickel-plated fiber matrix to retain the active material. This structure provides excellent electrical conductivity while allowing approximately 90% of the electrode volume to be used for active material.

The result is low internal resistance, high discharge performance, improved recharge capability, and greater energy density compared to traditional industrial battery designs.

NCFP batteries are available as individual 1.2 V cells and as multi-cell blocks. Four performance ranges allow the battery to be matched to the required discharge current and duration.

Key Benefits

• More than 3,000 cycles under appropriate operating conditions

• High energy density

• Low internal resistance

• Excellent high-rate discharge performance

• Rapid recharge capability

• Long storage life

• Wide operating temperature range

• Minimal routine maintenance

• No electrolyte replacement required during the battery’s service life

• High resistance to electrical and mechanical abuse

• Withstands overcharging and deep discharge

• Can tolerate accidental reverse charging

• Can be stored at different states of charge

• Lighter construction than many conventional industrial battery designs

• Available as individual cells or multi-cell blocks

HBL NCFP Battery Ranges

KFX Extreme High-Rate Batteries

KFX cells use very thin fiber plates to provide extremely high discharge currents over short durations.

• Designed for the most demanding short-duration loads

• Capacity range from 11 Ah to 120 Ah

• Available in individual cells and selected two-cell blocks

• Well suited for applications requiring immediate delivery of very high current

View KFX Technical Data

KFH High-Rate Batteries

KFH cells use thin fiber plates to provide high discharge currents over short durations.

• Designed for high-current, short-duration applications

• Capacity range from 11 Ah to 300 Ah

• Provides a balance between high-rate performance and available capacity

• Suitable for starting, switching, and other demanding high-current loads

View KFH Technical Data

KFM Medium-Rate Batteries

KFM cells use optimized plate thickness for applications requiring medium discharge currents and durations.

• Designed for medium-rate standby and cycling applications

• Capacity range from 11 Ah to 541 Ah

• Balances discharge current, runtime, energy density, and physical size

• Suitable for applications requiring sustained power over moderate discharge periods

View KFM Technical Data

KFL Long-Rate Batteries

KFL cells use thick fiber plates to provide lower discharge currents over extended periods.

• Designed for long-duration power requirements

• Capacity range from 20 Ah to 540 Ah

• Supports applications requiring sustained backup power

• Optimized for longer discharge periods rather than short bursts of high current

Choosing the Right NCFP Range

The correct NCFP battery depends on the required current, discharge duration, end-of-discharge voltage, operating temperature, charging system, and available installation space.

• Choose KFX for extremely high current over very short durations.

• Choose KFH for high current over short durations.

• Choose KFM for medium current and discharge duration.

• Choose KFL for lower current over extended durations.

For example, a KFH cell can deliver approximately twice the 15-minute discharge current of a similarly rated KFL cell. Battery selection should therefore be based on the complete discharge profile rather than ampere-hour capacity alone.

Alpine’s application specialists can review your requirements and help identify the appropriate battery range and cell size.

Product Specifications

• Battery chemistry: Vented nickel-cadmium

• Product range: HBL Nickel Cadmium Fiber Plate (NCFP)

• Nominal voltage: 1.2 V per cell

• Available configurations: Individual cells and multi-cell blocks

• Performance ranges: KFX extreme high-rate, KFH high-rate, KFM medium-rate, and KFL long-rate

• Overall capacity range: 11 Ah to 541 Ah, depending on battery range

• Cycle life: More than 3,000 cycles under appropriate operating conditions

• Container options: Translucent polypropylene with special container options available

• Plate construction: Nickel-plated three-dimensional fiber matrix

• Plate group construction: Welded for mechanical strength and vibration resistance

• Separator: Microporous sintered PVC

• Terminal construction: Nickel-plated terminal posts

• Standards: Conforms to applicable international standards, including IEC 60623

• Certification: Tested and certified by CSA to IEC 60623

• Recommended float voltage: 1.40 to 1.42 V per cell

• Recommended charging current limit: Maximum 0.2 C5 A

• Recommended single-level charging voltage: 1.45 to 1.50 V per cell

Industrial Applications

HBL NCFP batteries are designed for critical applications requiring dependable performance, strong cycling capability, high energy density, or resistance to demanding environmental conditions.

Potential applications include:

• Generator and engine starting

• Railway and locomotive systems

• Switchgear and utility control systems

• Telecommunications

• Uninterruptible power supply systems

• Emergency power systems

• Industrial process control

• Transportation and signaling systems

• Oil and gas facilities

• Renewable energy and remote power systems

• Applications exposed to vibration, shock, or extreme temperatures

Final battery selection should be based on the application’s specific load profile and operating environment.

Engineered for Performance

Three-Dimensional Fiber Matrix

The nickel-plated fiber structure provides a highly conductive network that helps make active material readily accessible during current collection. This supports low internal resistance and excellent electrical performance.

High Active-Material Utilization

Approximately 90% of the electrode volume is available for active material, contributing to high energy density and a lighter overall cell design.

Graphite-Free and Iron-Free Active Material

The active material does not contain graphite or iron. The absence of graphite helps prevent internal carbonate formation, while the absence of iron helps reduce maintenance requirements.

Elastic Electrode Structure

The elastic fiber electrode helps accommodate volume changes that occur during charging and discharging. It also absorbs shock and vibration stresses, contributing to long cycle life and reliable operation.

Rugged Cell Construction

Nickel-Plated Terminal Posts

Nickel-plated terminal components provide strong electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance.

Welded Plate Groups

Welded plate group construction provides the mechanical strength needed to withstand severe vibration and demanding operating conditions.

Microporous Separators

Microporous sintered PVC separators insulate the positive and negative plates without restricting electrolyte flow.

Translucent Polypropylene Containers

Polypropylene containers provide mechanical strength, electrical insulation, corrosion resistance, and performance across temperature extremes. Their translucent construction also allows easy visual inspection of electrolyte levels.

Flame-Arresting Vent Caps

Flip-open flame-arresting vent caps help prevent flame propagation into the cell while protecting the electrolyte from contamination.

Integrated Splash Guards

Splash guards help prevent electrolyte splashing and reduce the possibility of short circuits caused by foreign objects entering the cell.

Charging Flexibility

HBL NCFP batteries can be charged using common industrial charging methods, including:

• Constant-current charging

• Constant-voltage charging

• Float charging

• Trickle charging

• Taper charging

• Dual-mode boost and float charging

A dual-mode charger is recommended for optimal performance. This approach recharges a discharged battery at a higher boost voltage and current before transitioning to a lower float voltage to maintain the battery at full charge.

For installations using an existing single-mode charger, the battery can also operate with constant-voltage charging. Alpine can evaluate the existing charger and determine whether its voltage, current limit, and charging profile are appropriate for the selected battery.

Available Configurations

HBL NCFP batteries are available as individual cells and multi-cell blocks. System options can include:

• Inter-cell connectors

• Cable connectors

• Terminal hardware

• Battery racks

• Installation accessories

• Maintenance accessories

• Special container materials for demanding applications

Certain NCFP cells are also available in structural-foam-molded or stainless-steel containers for specialized operating requirements.

Why Choose Alpine Power Systems?

Alpine Power Systems provides industrial battery expertise throughout the complete system lifecycle.

• Application review and battery sizing

• Battery and charger system engineering

• Replacement battery system design

• Battery racks and accessories

• Installation and commissioning

• Preventive maintenance

• Battery testing and inspections

• Charger evaluations

• Nationwide field service

• Battery recycling and disposal coordination

With nationwide service capabilities and decades of critical power experience, Alpine helps customers select, deploy, and maintain reliable battery systems for essential operations.

Find the Right HBL NCFP Battery

Selecting the correct NCFP battery requires more than comparing ampere-hour ratings. Alpine will evaluate your required load, discharge duration, end voltage, charging system, operating temperature, available space, and service conditions to recommend an appropriately sized solution.