Methods and apparatus for protecting battery cells from overcharge

摘要

A method and apparatus for protecting at least one battery cell from overcharge utilizes a combination of at least one MOSFET switch and a separate fail-safe element such as a fuse or circuit breaker. The potential across the at least one battery cell is monitored to determine to determine whether a failure of the at the least one MOSFET switch has occurred, and in response to the determination of such a failure, a separate element such as a fuse is forced to open circuit to further disconnect the at least one battery cell from a charging current.