Battery room

The batteries may provide power for minutes, hours or days, depending on each system's design, although they are most commonly activated during brief electric utility outages lasting only seconds.

In 1890, the Western Union central telegraph office in New York City had 20,000 wet cells, mostly of the primary zinc-copper type.

[2] Terrestrial microwave links, cellular telephone sites, fibre optic apparatus and satellite communications facilities also have standby battery systems, which may be large enough to occupy a separate room in the building.

Several batteries are wired together in a series circuit forming a group providing DC electric power at 12, 24, 48 or 60 volts (or higher).

For stations that are capable of black start, power from the battery system may be required for many purposes including switchgear operations.

In some jurisdictions, large battery systems may contain reportable amounts of sulfuric acid, a concern for fire departments.

[2] Battery rooms in industrial and utility installations typically have an eye-wash station or decontamination showers nearby, so that workers who are accidentally splashed with electrolyte can immediately wash it away from the eyes and skin.