Abstract: A modified battery cell for simulating failure conditions includes an electrical cell and a controllable voltage source. A transistor gate is joined to a positive output of the source and to a negative tab of the cell at the transistor source. One side of a resistor implanted in the cell is joined to the transistor drain and the other side is joined to the cell positive tab. Controlling voltage source voltage allows current to flow from the transistor source to the transistor drain and through the resistor. Current flow through the resistor causes heating within the electrical cell that can be monitored to simulate an electrical cell failure. A method for testing an electrical cell is also provided.