Multi channel voltage control for fuel cells

This paper presents an economically priced multi channel voltage control for single cells of a PEM-fuel cell in combination with a microprocessor control and was developed at the Chair for Electric Power Networks and Renewable Energy Sources. The developed system can transfer the data of up to 32 single cells in serial connection. The resolution amounts to 10 bits per channel. The module has its own microprocessor, which is responsible for the intermediate storage of the collected data and the transfer to the RS-232 interface. Optionally, the module can be equipped with an LCD-display of 20 × 4 letters where different menus of the measured and calculated values can be indicated. The module is designed for a voltage of 1 V per channel and can be supplied with a direct voltage of between 6 and 24 V from the fuel cell stack.