Series Links:Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5RONALD E. MOORE
University of Extrication Editor
As a rescuer working on the battery cuts or disconnects all the ground and hot cables from the battery, it is easy to assume that the mission has been accomplished. The cables are off; the electrical system has to be shut down. This assumption is a mistake that should be avoided. This article proposes that personnel should not consider the electrical system shut down until a “power size-up” has been completed. The job is not finished until it is confirmed that power from the battery is “off.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) documented an interesting event that reinforces the need for surveying the vehicle after working with the negative and the positive battery cables. A crash test was conducted by GM engineers simulating an impact by one vehicle into the left front corner of another vehicle with a closing speed of 65 mph. As fire brigade members approached the crashed vehicle to inspect for post-collision fire, officials noted that the battery had broken open and smoke was rising from it. As was policy at that time, only the negative battery cable was disconnected by firefighters. The positive cable remained intact.
Several minutes later, an observer noticed that the vehicle’s taillights appeared to be “on.” Closer analysis revealed that in fact the taillight bulbs were illuminated. It was discovered that a sheet-metal screw had penetrated the side of the battery during the collision, creating a new ground circuit for the electrical system. Even though the battery was severely damaged during the crash, the ground cable completely disconnected by firefighters and three of its six internal cells were without any battery acid, the battery still generated approximately 7.5 volts of energy. The power and heat generated by the electrical current flowing through this unfused circuit were sufficient to light the taillights and to start a fire in the vehicle.
To add to this battery challenge, consider that even a badly damaged battery can supply electrical power until it is shut down. It is more and more common to arrive at a night-time crash scene and find that the vehicle’s lights are still on. The engine may be stopped and the front end crushed, but current still flows from the battery.
What is even more unusual about these situations is the degree to which the battery can be damaged and still function. The battery casing may be completely broken open or crushed by collision damage, yet parking lights or interior lights may still be functioning.
An incident in which a full-size GM van crashed head-on into a bridge pillar provides one of the more remarkable examples of the durability of a battery. The impact crushed the front end of the van, trapping the driver, who was alone in the vehicle. The hood buckled, exposing the top of the battery. Close examination revealed that both covers over the battery cells had blown off and the battery casing was cracked. Battery acid was evident all around the corner of the van. The assumption was made that the battery was “dead.” This was a mistake.
During extrication work, crews cutting down the sidewall of the van experienced some arcing and sparking of electrical wires. To their surprise, the vehicle was still energized!
The lesson learned from both the test laboratory and the real world is that you cannot judge a battery by its appearance. After double-cutting or disconnecting the cables, take that extra moment to size up any of the electrical components of the vehicle. Do a little “power size-up” of your own. Check out the headlights. Look closely at the parking lights. Is the dome light still lit? What about the instrument panel lights? If you are in a bright sunlight condition and it is hard to tell if the lights are on or not, how about the electric windows, the radio or the horn? Is the electrical system really shut down? Make sure and don’t judge a battery by its cover.
