Why Battery Selection Matters More Than Ever in Security Installations.
Why Battery Selection Matters – As some of SEN’s wireless alarm sensors start pleading for electrons something that’s becoming clear is that battery longevity and reliability can’t be ignored by modern systems.
Battery performance doesn’t just apply to wireless solutions, either, yet when discussing security system reliability, most conversations focus on cameras, detectors, access control hardware, or software platforms.
“One of the most critical components in many security installations and one that is too often overlooked is the battery powering the device,” says Mark Shannon, national product manager at BGW Technologies.
“Whether it’s a wireless PIR, door contact, electronic lock, cameras, other wireless devices or being used as a back-up battery, battery performance can directly impact system uptime, maintenance costs, and ultimately, customer satisfaction.”
According to Shannon BGW Technologies’ Procell Intense Lithium batteries are gaining attention across the professional security market because they deliver more reliable power for longer.
“Unlike consumer-focused batteries designed for general household use, the Procell Intense range has been designed specifically for professional devices operating in demanding environments, such as high-drain pulse loads commonly found in security equipment,” Shannon explains.
Shannon says the differences lie not only in battery capacity, but in the way they are manufactured and this impacts on how they perform throughout their service life.
“One of the key differentiators of the Procell range is the battery construction and manufacturing consistency,” Shannon explains. “While many batteries can appear identical from the outside, internal design and quality control can have a significant impact on performance and longevity.”
SEN Explainer
Why Battery Selection Matters
What separates a professional cell from a general-purpose one in security devices
01 The Duty Cycle Problem
Long sleep, sudden demand
A wireless PIR or door contact draws almost nothing for months, then demands a sharp burst of current. Household batteries are built for steady, moderate drain — not this shape.
02 Consistency Across A Fleet
A fleet is only as reliable as its weakest cell
Tighter cell-to-cell variability is the practical claim: predictable replacement intervals and fewer unplanned service calls across a large deployment.
03 What’s Inside
General purpose
Inactive filler materials
Contamination risk
Internal voids
Wider variability between cells
Professional
Refined lithium chemistry
Robust cell closures
Reduced cell impedance
Continuous batch testing
04 The Procell Range
Alkaline
AA · AAA · C · D · 9V
High-power lithium
CR123 · CR2
10-year shelf lifeLithium coin cell
CR2016 · CR2025 · CR2032
Source: BGW Technologies / Procell. Charts are conceptual illustrations of the principles described, not measured test data.
“Procell’s focus on manufacturing precision is reflected in service-life testing, which demonstrates a much tighter performance distribution across batteries. In practical terms, this means installers can expect more predictable battery life, improved reliability across large deployments and greater confidence when specifying battery replacement intervals”.
According to Procell, its professional batteries utilise refined and proprietary active materials, robust cell closures and tightly controlled manufacturing processes designed to minimise variability between cells.
“By comparison, lower-cost general-purpose batteries can contain inactive materials, contamination or internal voids that can reduce efficiency and contribute to inconsistent performance over time” says Michael Hardy, national sales manager at Procell.
“For security installers, this consistency is particularly important. A battery fleet is only as reliable as its weakest cell, and variability across devices can lead to unpredictable maintenance schedules and unexpected service calls”.
Hardy says that part of the Procell battery makeup is refined lithium chemistry, reduced cell impedance and enhanced cell construction designed to improve runtime consistency and minimise leakage risk.
“We run continuous batch testing and have strict manufacturing controls in place to help ensure low cell-to-cell variability, which is particularly important in professional security deployments where reliability is critical,” explains Hardy.
“Security devices spend long periods in standby before drawing sudden bursts of power for communication, image capture or alarm transmission. Procell Intense batteries are engineered specifically to perform reliably under those conditions.”
“Another advantage is that the batteries have a 10-year shelf life in the CR123 and CR2 formats. Stock can be held for extended periods without concerns about premature degradation, ensuring replacement batteries remain ready when required,”
The Procell range offers 3 categories including Alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V), High-Power Lithium Batteries (CR123, CR2), and Lithium Coin Cell Batteries (CR2016, CR2025, CR2032).
To learn more about Procell Batteries reach out to your local BGW Technologies Branch here – there’s more SEN news here.
Procell Intense Lithium Features:
- Engineered for high-drain pulse applications
- Extended low-battery notification capability
- Refined lithium chemistry for longer runtime
- Reduced cell impedance for improved performance
- Enhanced leakage protection and cell construction
- Reliable operation in extreme temperatures
- Up to 10-year shelf life on Procell Intense CR123 and CR2 batteries
- Continuous batch testing and quality control
- Suitable for access control, intrusion detection and surveillance applications.
“Why Battery Selection Matters More Than Ever in Security Installations.”
