REVERSE POLARITY PROTECTED BATTERY MODULE

The present disclosure relates to a battery module () comprising a first charging terminal () and a second charging terminal () for connecting the battery module to an external power source () or a load (). The battery module includes a battery cell arrangement () which has a maximum charge voltage and has a first terminal () and a second terminal (). The first terminal () is connected to the first charging terminal (). The battery module includes also a switch arrangement including at least a first switching device () connected between the second terminal () of the battery cell arrangement and the second charging terminal (). The first switching device is operable to switch to a current passing state for discharging the battery module. The battery module also includes a controller () configured to control operation of the switch arrangement. Upon detection of a reverse polarity connection of the external power source at the first and second charging terminals, the controller is configured to operate the first switching device to switch to a current blocking state. The first switching device has a blocking voltage equal or higher than at least twice the maximum charge voltage of the battery cell arrangement.