EVT Battery Management System

A battery management system (BMS) is an essential component of any electric vehicle, responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of a battery pack. While batteries store electrical energy, a BMS continuously monitors and controls how that energy is used. Its primary functions include measuring cell voltage, current, temperature, and state of charge (SOC), and activating safety mechanisms when operating conditions fall outside safe limits. Lithium-ion battery packs are composed of many individual cells, which naturally experience small differences in voltage over time due to manufacturing variation, aging, and temperature effects. To maintain performance and safety, the BMS performs cell balancing during charging. This process equalizes cell voltages by discharging higher-voltage cells through balance resistors, ensuring that all cells reach similar charge levels and maximizing the usable capacity of the pack. The BMS featured in this exhibit was designed for a high-performance electric mini-jeep, a vehicle that requires robust power delivery and strict safety control. The system consists of three circuit boards: one main control board and two cell-monitoring sub-boards. The main board houses the microcontroller, manages system logic, and communicates with the rest of the vehicle. Each sub-board monitors and balances 12 battery cells, providing detailed, cell-level measurement and protection. The boards communicate with each other to form an integrated battery protection system. The Imagine RIT exhibit will include a physical battery pack connected to the working BMS, with live data displayed in real time. Visitors will be able to observe key parameters such as temperature and voltage and interact with the system by safely altering the temperature of selected cells. As conditions change, the BMS response will be visible, demonstrating how the system detects abnormal behavior and protects the battery pack.