Abstract: In a system and method for charging a rechargeable battery having a protection circuit, the rechargeable battery operates according to a model that includes an ideal battery and an internal resistance. In the model, an electrode voltage develops across the ideal battery. An internal voltage drop equal to the difference between this electrode voltage and the battery voltage is developed across the internal resistance. The battery is charged with a charging voltage that may exceed the threshold voltage and the electrode voltage. The charging system and method ensures that (1) the voltage at the protection circuit is kept below the threshold voltage and (2) the electrode voltage is kept below the end-of-charge voltage.