MP2643 active balancer

Battery Management
1

Hi everyone,

I’m currently working on a design that uses the MP2643 active balancer.
After reading through the datasheet, I’m having trouble understanding the exact difference between the two operating modes:

:small_blue_diamond: Buck-balance mode

:small_blue_diamond: Boost-balance mode

The datasheet mentions that the balancing current is set differently (RUBC for buck, RLBC for boost), but it’s not fully clear to me:

  • In what practical situation should buck-balance be used?

  • When should boost-balance be used instead?

  • Do both modes transfer energy in the same direction, or does boost-balance actually move energy from the lower cell to the upper cell?

  • Is boost-balance simply an internal converter topology, or is it truly a balancing mode that works in the opposite direction?

  • Does anyone have a simple explanation, diagram, or example (with typical cell voltages) showing how and when each mode should be applied?

I want to make sure I’m selecting the correct mode depending on the voltage difference between the two cells.

Thanks in advance for your help!

1 Like
2

Hello @m.boukens ,

Thank you for posting your question on the MPS Technical Forum.

We have available in our website, under resources section, an article on how Active Balance works, including Bidirectional Buck-Boost Active Balancer.

You can access the article thorugh this link:
Active Balancing: How It Works and Its Advantages

Furthermore, it also includes a design example for the MP264x family.

I hope this is helpful.

Regards,
Edgar