Author: Lia Publish Time: 2025-10-30 Origin: Site
A data centre fire in the UK linked to battery failure highlights why intelligent BMS monitoring is vital. DFUN PBMS9000 + PBAT 61 offers cell-level monitoring to prevent overheating, faults and fire risks.
On September 8, 2025, a data-centre park in Chesterfield County, UK, operated by Chirisa Technology Park (CTP), suffered its fourth electrical fire in less than a year. CTP later confirmed that the incident was triggered by a defective battery module, caused by a manufacturing fault.
“The fire remained inside the cabinet and did not spread to the battery room or building,” CTP stated.
While the site’s suppression system contained the flames, this marks yet another warning that battery-related fires are becoming an emerging threat as the digital economy expands.
Modern data centres depend on massive banks of lead-acid and nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries to ensure uninterrupted power. However, without real-time intelligent BMS protection, hidden faults such as:
• Over-charging and excessive ripple current
• Cell imbalance and uneven temperature rise
• Manufacturing defects or aging connections
can silently escalate to thermal runaway and fire. By the time a problem is visible, the damage is already done.
CTP confirmed the root cause as a manufacturing defect and announced the complete removal and replacement of all affected batteries.
Even though the incident was contained, it revealed a systemic risk that affects thousands of facilities worldwide — lack of real-time battery insight.
As battery capacity and density increase, so do the risks. Intelligent Battery Management Systems (BMS) can continuously measure each cell’s voltage, internal resistance and temperature — identifying abnormal patterns long before failure occurs.
Real-time alarms and data logging enable predictive maintenance and proactive fault isolation, turning what was once a reactive process into a preventive one.
DFUN PBMS9000 + PBAT 61 delivers a comprehensive safety upgrade for lead-acid and Ni-Cd battery banks used in data centres, telecom rooms and substations.
PBMS9000 — Centralised Control & Analytics
• 24/7 real-time monitoring of battery voltage, temperature and ripple current
• Intelligent alarm triggers for abnormal conditions
• Long-term data logging and remote web interface for trend analysis
PBAT 61 — Precision Cell-Level Monitoring
• Measures individual cell voltage and internal resistance
• Detects deterioration or imbalances before they turn hazardous
• Enables accurate fault location and maintenance planning
Together, they deliver:
✅ Early warning before thermal events
✅ Extended battery lifespan through optimized charging
✅ Reduced fire risk and downtime for critical power systems
Learn more at www.dfuntech.com
