Model Validation
Every cell in our database starts on a datasheet — and earns its place on the bench. This page tracks which cells we've tested ourselves, and how the measured curves stack up against the manufacturer's claims.
Research-grade constant-current discharges, the same procedure for every cell.
A 200W / 40A / 150V DC electronic load holds each discharge at a precise constant current, automated over SCPI so every run follows the exact same script.
Separate sense leads measure voltage right at the cell terminals, removing lead and contact resistance from the reading — essential for honest sag and internal-resistance numbers.
Each cell is fully charged, rested, then discharged to cutoff at a sweep of currents (0.5A up to its rated max). One curve per rate, fresh charge between runs, no shortcuts.
A thermocouple on the cell body logs surface temperature throughout every discharge, so high-rate results capture heating — not just voltage.
Where every cell's data comes from today. 4 of 10 cells are fully lab tested; the rest are queued for the bench.
Sony US18650VTC6
Sony/Murata · 3000 mAh
Lab tested — full discharge sweep published on the cell page.
Sanyo NCR18650GA
Panasonic/Sanyo · 3500 mAh
Lab tested — full discharge sweep published on the cell page.
Sanyo UR18650NSX
Panasonic/Sanyo · 2600 mAh
Lab tested — full discharge sweep published on the cell page.
Samsung INR18650-30Q
Samsung SDI · 3000 mAh
Lab tested — measured curves drive the simulator; datasheet comparison at 3 rates below.
Molicel INR21700-P42A
Molicel · 4200 mAh
Awaiting lab test — datasheet curves until then.
Samsung INR21700-40T
Samsung SDI · 4000 mAh
Awaiting lab test — curves are synthetic estimates until then.
LG INR18650-HG2
LG Chem · 3000 mAh
Awaiting lab test — curves are synthetic estimates until then.
Samsung INR18650-25R
Samsung SDI · 2500 mAh
Awaiting lab test — datasheet curves until then.
Molicel INR18650-P28A
Molicel · 2800 mAh
Awaiting lab test — datasheet curves until then.
Samsung INR21700-50E
Samsung SDI · 5000 mAh
Awaiting lab test — curves are synthetic estimates until then.
When a datasheet-sourced cell hits the bench, we overlay our measured discharge curves on the manufacturer's at matching rates and publish the error — so you can see exactly how much to trust each data source.
Solid lines: CellBench lab measurement. Dashed lines: manufacturer datasheet. Same color = same discharge rate.
| Rate | Mean abs. voltage error | Max deviation | Measured capacity | vs rated 3000 mAh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5A | 39 mV | 116 mV | 2976 mAh | -0.8% |
| 10A | 29 mV | 222 mV | 2980 mAh | -0.7% |
| 15A | 22 mV | 312 mV | 2962 mAh | -1.3% |
Voltage error computed by interpolating both curves onto a common 1% SOC grid over their overlapping range. Capacity delta compares delivered mAh at each rate against the manufacturer's rated capacity.
Test notes: Rigol DL3021, 4-wire Kelvin, Neo2 1.5 A CC-CV charge, 2.5 V cutoff, ~25 C ambient
Every published curve — lab tested or datasheet — is interactive on the cell pages and drives the pack simulator.