MAXIMIZING LIFE OF CAPACITORS IN SERIES MODULES

A device (1) monitors and/or balances an ultracapacitor (3) and/or a module (4) comprising a plurality of ultracapacitors (3) connected in series, the module (4) being connectable in series or in parallel with other modules (4). The device comprises an electronic board (2) comprising digital control and/or command means, such as a microcontroller (5), executing a program for monitoring and balancing the ultracapacitor (3) and/or the module (4). The relative capacitances of the capacitors are measured, and this information is employed to determine when to carry out a controlled discharge of particular capacitors. Temperature information is also employed to determine when to carry out a controlled discharge of particular capacitors. In this way the lifetime of any particular capacitor is, desirably, extended to be no shorter than the lifetime of other longer- lived capacitors in the module.