Abstract: A control circuit measures the battery voltage, intermediate voltage and discharge current of a rechargeable battery comprising a plurality of cells connected in series, at prescribed time intervals, and detects values for these parameters based on running averages for a prescribed number of measurement operations, while also detecting the battery temperature. If the battery temperature becomes equal to or greater than a prescribed temperature, or if the discharge current is an excessive current equal to or greater than a prescribed value, or if the battery voltage is equal to or less than a prescribed value, or if it is judged, from detection of the intermediate voltage that the balance between cell capacities has declined, then the control circuit halts discharge from the rechargeable battery by switching an FET to OFF.