What is the primary concern when connecting battery cells in series?

When connecting battery cells in series, the primary concern is the increased voltage beyond safe limits. This configuration allows the voltages of each cell to add together, resulting in a higher total voltage output. If the combined voltage exceeds the specifications of the equipment or system being powered, it can lead to damaging effects such as overheating, component failure, or even safety hazards like electrical fires or explosions.

Each battery cell has a voltage rating, and when they are connected in series, one must ensure that the total voltage does not exceed what the system can handle. For example, if you connect four 3.7V lithium-ion cells in series, the total output becomes 14.8V. If the device is only rated for 12V, this can easily lead to disastrous outcomes. Therefore, managing the voltage increase is crucial when designing and implementing a series battery configuration.

While concerns such as risk of overheating, reduction in overall capacity, and energy conversion efficiency are important considerations in battery management, they are secondary to the immediate issue of maintaining safe voltage levels when cells are arranged in series.