What is a shunt?

In the world of 12V battery systems, a crucial component often goes unnoticed but plays a pivotal role in ensuring the system's efficiency & management: the shunt. In this blog post, we will delve into what a shunt is, what it's used for, and how it works to shed light on its significance in battery management.

What is a Shunt?

First and foremost, let's define what a shunt is. A shunt is an electrical device, typically a resistor, designed to accurately measure the current that passes through it.

What is it Used For?

One of the primary applications of a shunt in a 12V secondary battery system is current monitoring. By measuring the current that passes through the shunt, the shunt is able to accurately measure the following:

• Battery charge Percentage
• Current In or Out
• Time until Empty
• Time until fully charged

In Short, a Shunt is like a fuel gauge for your battery. It will tell you how full your battery is and how much charge is going in and out of the battery.

How Does it Work?

Now that we understand what a shunt is used for let's dive into how it works:

A shunt is typically installed in series with the main electrical circuit. When current flows through the circuit, a known fraction of it is diverted through the shunt resistor. This diverted current then flows through the shunt, creating a voltage drop across it. According to Ohm's law (V = I * R), this voltage drop is directly proportional to the current passing through the shunt. Knowing this figure allows the shunt to accurately make calculations on all of the required battery information.

Do You Need a shunt?

Shunts are required to accurately provide you with the condition of your battery charge. This allows you to monitor the battery's condition and ensure your batteries or charge system are in good working order.

Elektratech recommends Victron Energy Shunts. They are the best on the market and they come with built in bluetooth.

In conclusion, Shunts are unsung heroes in 12V secondary battery systems, facilitating accurate current measurements and efficient energy management. Their simple yet effective design, combined with precision monitoring equipment, ensures the safe and efficient operation of battery systems across various applications. Whether you're managing a renewable energy installation or monitoring your vehicle's primary or secondary battery, understanding the role of shunts is key to optimizing performance and longevity of your battery.