Press Release
May 23, 2023
ATX Validates Safety of Areca Hybrid Supercapacitors through Third-Party Testing
Company’s backup power energy storage solutions withstand rigorous ‘abuse’ testing without hazardous incidents
SAN DIEGO, May 23, 2023 – ATX Networks, a global leader in broadband access and media distribution solutions, has revealed the findings from recently completed testing of its hybrid supercapacitor-based energy storage modules that demonstrate the solution’s ability to withstand excessive physical and electrical stress without creating a safety hazard or dangerous environmental conditions.
The rigorous testing, conducted by Georgia-based testing laboratory Energy Assurance, part of the Element Materials Technology (Element) Group, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, validates ATX’s claims that its next-generation energy storage medium is safer than alternative backup power sources, such as lead-acid and some lithium-based batteries, and less susceptible to catching fire or leaking dangerous chemical substances.
“In addition to safety benefits, other advantages of hybrid supercapacitor-based energy storage include increased reliability, faster charging times, and a significantly longer life span than alternative backup power solutions.”
“Broadband service providers want assurances that the equipment they use to provide standby power throughout their networks will not ignite, leak or explode if mishandled or subjected to extreme conditions,” said George Goncalves, ATX’s Director of Energy Storage Product Management. “The Areca units continued to perform as expected with no cell damage and no instances of thermal runaway during any of the eight tests run on our hybrid supercapacitor units.”
Thermal runaway is caused by a continued cycle of chemical reactions that often results in a fire that is extremely difficult to contain. Chemical-based batteries are susceptible to thermal runaway, as well as other dangerous events, such as leakage of hazardous substances that can be harmful to humans and the environment. Hybrid supercapacitors are electrostatic, rather than electrochemical, meaning they do not rely on chemical reactions to provide power. As a result, they pose a far lesser threat of safety and environmental dangers than electrochemical energy storage mediums.
Energy Assurance, one of the leading battery testing operators in North America, ran a total of eight electrical and impact tests on fully charged ATX Areca hybrid supercapacitor modules, recording live data during each test. Abuse testing subjects battery cells or packs to the most extreme circumstances to collect data on how they will react to similar destructive conditions while in use, in this case by electrically over-charging, over-discharging and short-circuiting the units, as well as thermal hot and cold shocks, and drop tests of up to one meter. Experts even drove a nail through a hybrid supercapacitor cell without dangerous incident.
In addition to safety benefits, other advantages of hybrid supercapacitor-based energy storage include increased reliability, faster charging times, and a significantly longer life span than alternative backup power solutions. Communications service providers are increasingly committed to pursuing technology options that help them meet sustainability goals, including the reduction of their carbon footprints and shrinking the amount of waste they contribute to landfills.
For more information, please visit www.atx.com.
About ATX Networks
ATX Networks is a global leader in broadband access and media distribution solutions. ATX’s market-leading and award-winning solutions are based on Agile Innovation design principles, enabling communications service providers to futureproof and evolve their networks in lockstep with market demand. ATX partners with the world’s most innovative cable, satellite, fixed telecom, wireless and media broadcast service providers to improve people’s lives by enabling affordable and reliable broadband connectivity and media content for everyone, everywhere. For further information, visit ATX at www.atx.com, and follow us on Twitter @ATXNetworksCorp.
About Energy Assurance, part of the Element Group
Energy Assurance is part of the Element Group, one of the world’s leading global providers of testing, inspection, and certification services for a diverse range of products, materials, and technologies in advanced industrial supply chains where failure in use is not an option. The Georgia-based lab is a provider of cell and battery testing for performance, safety/regulatory, and failure analysis as well as engineering services for the battery industry. The company focuses on all sizes of high-performance lithium-ion cells and batteries up to 150V and 1350A, enabling it to service all industries where batteries are used for portable power and now electric/hybrid automotive and energy storage systems. For more information about Element, please visit our website, connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
