Reverse polarity protected battery module

A battery module comprising:

• a first charging terminal and a second charging terminal for connecting the battery module to an external power source for charging of the battery module or a load for providing power to said load;
• a battery cell arrangement having a maximum charge voltage and having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the first charging terminal,
• 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, said first switching device being operable to switch the battery module between a discharging mode in which power is provided to said load and a charging mode in which power is provided from the external power source to the battery cell arrangement, the first switching device being in a current passing state for discharging the battery cell arrangement in the discharging mode, and
• a controller configured to control operation of the switch arrangement between said discharging mode and said charging mode, wherein, 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,
• wherein the first switching device has a blocking voltage equal to or higher than, at least twice the maximum charge voltage of the battery cell arrangement, and
• wherein the controller is configured to control operation of said switch arrangement in response to an input signal provided by a sensor of said battery module.