The CiA 418 device profile specifies the CANopen CC (classic) interface for battery modules, to achieve interoperability with battery chargers, e.g., implemented according to the CiA 419 CANopen device profile for battery chargers. A battery module provides specified information to a battery charger, which enables it to carry out a battery charging process. The mandatory information, which a compliant battery module has to provide, is the battery type, battery capacity, number of cells, maximum charge current permissible, and the battery temperature. Additionally, optional information is specified such as various identifiers, charge history data, battery voltage, battery state of charge, requested current and water level status (for flooded batteries).

A default TPDO (transmit process data object) is specified to send the battery temperature and status information on a timer-driven basis. Optional TPDOs are specified for transmitting the battery voltage, current requests, and the state of charge. A default RPDO (receive PDO) is specified to receive the charger status. An optional specified RPDO enables to receive the "charge returned” object indicating the number of Ampere-hours delivered to the battery by the charger during the last charge event. Optional PDOs supported by the module can be configured via SDO (service data object) services. The corresponding default PDOs are implemented in the battery charger.

The battery module has to provide a 5-wire interconnect. If a connector as given in the CiA 106 (former CiA 303-1) is used, it is recommended to use the corresponding pin assignment. Support of the NMT (network management) server and heartbeat functionality according to CiA 301 is mandatory for the battery module.