Abstract: Referring to FIG. 1, a cell balancing system of the present invention is shown and generally designated 100. System 100 includes a number of battery cells 102 in electrical communication with a safety circuit 104. In a preferred embodiment, the safety circuit 104 is included in an application specific semiconductor (ASIC) and provides an input/output channel 106 that includes, for example, Vbat(+), Clock, Data, Return, and Vbat(?) signals for use by a device which incorporates the battery. It is to be appreciated that I/O channel 106 may be of any type, generic or proprietary, and may have any number of communication protocols as is known in the art.

Abstract: A safety circuit technique for high current shut-down monitors a battery pack and, when certain conditions exist, performs a series of safety measures, or a safety checklist and actions, to safely and quickly turn the battery cell off. In a preferred embodiment, diodes are used to prevent the IC drive current from being exceeded.