In today’s world, battery chargers have become essential tools. We’re not only talking about those we use daily for smartphones, tablets, or laptops, but also about indispensable devices for professional and infrastructural applications, where operational continuity and energy security are critical.
We can divide them into three main families:
1. Chargers for portable devices
2. Chargers for small to medium-capacity batteries or accumulators
- 3. Industrial chargers, designed for large electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and complex logistics applications.
It is precisely this third category that TCE Group specializes in.
In modern warehouses, ports, or railway operations, industrial chargers ensure that forklifts, AGVs (Automatic Guided Vehicles), energy storage systems, and UPS units are always ready for use. They are not simple appliances — choosing the right charger can impact operating costs, downtime, and even battery lifespan.
The main types are two:
- Linear or traditional transformer chargers, robust and simple, very tolerant to power fluctuations, but bulky and less efficient.
- High-frequency (HF) chargers, which today represent the standard for efficiency, control, and charging speed.
Traditional chargers:
They operate directly at mains frequency (50/60 Hz). Their strengths include high resistance to overvoltage, dusty or harsh environments, long lifespan, and low cost. However, they also have clear limitations: relatively low efficiency (often around 70–80%), large size and weight, heat generation, and longer charging times.
High-frequency chargers:
These use power supplies operating at tens or hundreds of kilohertz. This allows for a significant reduction in transformer size, higher energy efficiency, and the implementation of advanced electronic management.
Their main features include:
- High efficiency (85–95%), reducing energy waste and heat generation.
- Compact size and low weight, making them easier to install in tight spaces.
- Multi-stage electronic control, accurately regulating the charging phases (bulk, absorption, float).
- Selectable charging curves, to suit different battery types: lead-acid, AGM, gel, or lithium.
- Advanced protections, against reverse polarity, overvoltage, short circuits, and overheating.
While they offer significant advantages, HF chargers require precise engineering to withstand dust, vibration, and harsh environmental conditions. They may also be more expensive and complex to repair compared to traditional models.
In high-turnover warehouses, fast charging and the possibility of opportunity charging (short, frequent charges) minimize downtime and increase productivity. In energy storage systems, the high efficiency of HF chargers translates into lower operating costs and less heat dissipation.
However, in challenging or remote environments, traditional linear chargers can still be the safest choice, thanks to their robustness and simplicity. The decision between high-frequency and traditional chargers therefore depends on a balance between efficiency, cost, durability, and the operating environment. Understanding these differences not only extends battery life but also optimizes time and operating costs.
What does TCE Group offer?
TCE Group is a key player in the industrial battery charger sector, offering solutions tailored to a wide range of needs. Our portfolio includes both high-frequency and traditional chargers, each designed to meet specific operational requirements — from sophisticated systems to environments where robustness and simplicity are priorities.
NEOS: high frequency for demanding environments
The NEOS line represents TCE Group’s technological evolution. Designed for on-board installation, they feature full IP66 protection, are completely sealed, and resistant to vibrations — essential characteristics in demanding industrial environments. Equipped with infrared sensors, they allow customers to program and control settings via remote control.
Users can select from five charging curves, including lithium battery compatibility, thus adapting the charging process to their specific needs. The power range spans from 12 V / 10 A to 80 V / 50 A, ensuring flexibility and adaptability for different battery types.
K-NEXT: for heavy traction batteries
The K-NEXT chargers are designed for more demanding applications. Available in both single-phase and three-phase versions, they cover power ranges from 24 V / 50 A to 80 V / 200 A.
Equipped with a display, they allow users to create or modify custom charging curves, manage maintenance of flooded lead-acid batteries, activate desulfation, and monitor the charging status in real time. Thanks to the integrated GSM system, the charger can be connected to a smartphone, enabling remote monitoring of parameters such as SOC and other key data.
SE: traditional chargers
Alongside its most advanced solutions, TCE Group continues to produce traditional SE chargers — robust, powerful, and cost-effective. These models embody simplicity and durability, ideal for contexts where advanced technology is not required but safety and reliability remain essential.
Industrial battery chargers are strategic tools that go far beyond simple power delivery. The choice between traditional and high-frequency models depends on several factors: operating environment, battery capacity, desired charging times, energy efficiency, and the need for remote monitoring.
With NEOS, K-NEXT, and SE, TCE Group offers a complete range capable of meeting diverse requirements, combining technology, efficiency, safety, and durability. Understanding these differences is not just about making a technical choice — it means optimizing the performance of an entire production or logistics system.