HOLT Electricians Practice Exam

What component should each vented cell of a battery be equipped with?

1. A fuse

2. A spark plug

3. A flame arrester

4. A heat sink

The correct answer is: A flame arrester

Each vented cell of a battery should be equipped with a flame arrester. This component is essential because vented cells can release gases, such as hydrogen, during charging or discharging processes. Hydrogen is highly flammable, and if it comes into contact with an ignition source, it can ignite and cause an explosion. A flame arrester serves to prevent any external flames or sparks from entering the cell and igniting the released gases. It typically consists of a mesh or baffle that allows gases to exit while blocking flames or sparks from the outside. This safety feature is crucial to maintaining safe operations and minimizing fire hazards associated with battery systems, particularly in applications that involve large battery banks or environments susceptible to explosive gases. While other options like a fuse are useful in protecting against overcurrent, or a heat sink in managing temperature, they do not specifically address the risk associated with flammable gases emitted by vented battery cells in the same safety-critical way that a flame arrester does.