|
Standard Battery Size Range:
|
|
|
|
Custom & Refurbished Batteries:
|
|
|
|
Specialist Product Range:
|
|
|
|
Universal Power Supply Range:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Technical Glossary of Battery Terms:
|
|
You are in:
Home >
Help >
Technical Glossary of Battery Terms
|
|
|
-
Absorption:
-
The taking up or retention of one material by another by chemical or molecular action.
-
Accumulator (Accu):
-
An Accumulator is simply any piece of apparatus that can be used for storing energy, such as a rechargeable battery or cell. The term Accumulator will most commonly be used in conjunction with Lead-Acid batteries.
-
Alkaline:
-
A primary battery (non-rechargeable) often used in electronics
applications requiring heavy currents for long periods of time
(i.e.: cd players, radios, etc.). Alkaline batteries can deliver
50-100% more total energy than conventional Carbon/Zinc batteries
of the same size, hence their popularity in consumer applications.
-
Alloy:
-
A mixture of several other metals or a metal and a non-metal.
-
Ambient Temperature:
-
The average temperature of the surroundings.
-
Ampere-Hour Capacity:
-
The quantity of electricity measured in ampere-hours (Ah) that
may be delivered by a cell or battery under specified conditions.
-
Anode:
-
The electrode in an electrochemical cell where oxidation takes
place. During discharge, the negative electrode of the cell is
the anode. During charge, the positive electrode is the anode.
|
|
|
-
Battery Pack:
-
Two or more electrochemical cells electrically interconnected in an
appropriate series/parallel arrangement to provide the required
operating voltage and current levels. Under common usage, the
term "battery" is often also applied to a single cell.
|
|
|
-
C-Rate (also see Hourly Rate):
- Discharge or charge current, in amperes, expressed in multiples
of the rated capacity. For example, C/10 discharge current for
a battery rated at 1.5Ah is: 1.5 AH/I 0 = 150mA (A cell's capacity
is not the same at all discharge rates and usually increases with
decreasing rate.)
-
Capacity:
-
The total number of ampere-hours or watt-hours that can be withdrawn
from a fully charged cell or battery under specified conditions
of discharge.
-
Capacity Offset:
-
A correction factor applied to the rating of a battery if discharged
under different C-rates from the one rated.
-
Capacity Retention (or Charge Retention):
-
The fraction of the fall capacity available from a battery under
specified conditions of discharge after it has been stored for
a period of time
-
Carbon/Zinc:
-
A primary battery (non-rechargeable) commonly used in low drain
consumer applications (i.e.: clocks, calculators, garage door
openers, etc.). Available in the same sizes as the Alkaline and
Manganese Dioxide. The Carbon/Zinc is one of the most widely used
dry primary batteries because of its low cost and reliable performance.
-
Cathode:
-
The electrode in an electrochemical cell where reduction takes
place. During discharge, the positive electrode of the cell is
the cathode. During charge in a rechargeable battery, the negative
electrode is the cathode.
-
Cell:
-
The basic electrochemical unit used to generate or store electrical
energy.
-
Cell Mismatch:
-
Cells within a battery pack that contain different capacity and
voltage levels.
-
Cell Reversal:
-
The stronger cells of a battery (several cells connected in series)
impose a voltage of reverse polarity across a weaker cell during
a deep discharge.
-
Charge:
-
The conversion of electrical energy, provided in the form of electrical
current from an external source, to restore the chemical energy
in a cell or battery.
-
Charge Control:
-
Technique for effectively terminating the charging of a rechargeable
battery.
-
Closed-circuit Voltage (CCV):
-
The potential or voltage of a battery when it is discharging or
charging.
-
Condition:
-
A process that utilizes a series of heavy discharges and recharges
on a battery to assure optimum performance.
-
Constant Current:
-
A battery discharge regime whereby the current drawn during the
discharge Discharge remains constant.
-
Constant Power:
-
A battery discharge regime whereby the current during the discharge
increases as the battery voltage decreases.
-
Constant Resistance:
-
A battery discharge regime whereby the resistance of the equipment
load remains constant throughout discharge.
-
Current Collector:
-
An inert structure of high electrical conductivity used to conduct
current from or to an electrode during discharge or charge.
-
Current Density:
-
The current per unit active area of the surface of an electrode.
-
Current Drain:
-
The current withdrawn from a battery during discharge.
-
Current Limiting Chargers:
-
A charger that keeps the charge current constant during the charge
process but allows the voltage to Fluctuate (typically used on
NiCd and NiMH chargers).
-
Cutoff Voltage:
-
The battery voltage at which the discharge is terminated. The
cutoff voltage is specified by the battery manufacturer and is
generally a function of discharge rate.
-
Cycle:
-
A sequence where a charged battery is discharged and recharged.
-
Cycle Life:
-
The number of cycles under specified conditions
that are available from a secondary battery before it fails to
meet specified criteria as to performance.
-
Cylindrical Cell:
-
The positive and negative plates are rolled up and placed into
a cylindrical container (as opposed to stacking the plates in
a prismatic cell design).
|
|
|
-
Depth of Discharge:
-
The ratio of the quantity of electricity (usually in ampere-hours) removed from a battery to its rated capacity.
-
Desorption:
-
The opposite of absorption, whereby the material retained by a
medium or another material is released.
-
Direct Current:
-
Electrical current that flows in one direction only. Batteries
produce direct current as the current flows from a negative to
a positive source.
-
Discharge:
-
The conversion of the chemical energy of a battery into electrical
energy, and the withdrawal of the electrical energy into a load.
-
Discharge Rate:
-
The rate, usually expressed in amperes, at which electrical current
is taken from the battery.
-
Drain:
-
The current withdrawn from a battery during discharge.
-
Dry Cell:
-
A cell with immobilized electrolyte. The term "dry cell"
is often used to describe the Leclanche cell.
-
Dumb Battery:
-
Straight battery pack without internal circuits enabling communication
between the battery and the user.
-
Duty Cycle:
-
The operating regime of a battery including factors such as charge
and discharge rates, depth of discharge, cycle duration, and length
of time in the standby mode.
|
|
|
-
E-Rate:
-
Discharge or charge power, in watts, expressed as a multiple of the rated
capacity of a cell or battery that is expressed in watt-hours.
For example, the E/10 rate for a cell or battery rated at 17.3
watt-hours is 1.73 watts. (This is similar to the method for calculating
C-Rate.)
-
Electric Current:
-
The movement of electrons along a conductor.
-
Electrochemical Equivalent:
-
Weight of a substance that is deposited at an electrode when the
quantity of electricity which is passed is one coulomb
-
Electrode:
-
The site, area or location at which electrochemical processes
take place.
-
Electrolyte:
-
The medium which provides the ion transport mechanism between
the positive and negative electrodes of a cell.
-
Electron:
-
Negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.
-
End Voltage Cutoff:
-
The prescribed voltage at which the discharge (or charge, if end-of-charge
voltage) of a battery may be considered complete.
-
Energy:
-
The output capability of a cell or battery, usually expressed
in watt-hours.
-
Energy Density:
-
The ratio of the energy available from a battery to its volume
(Wh/L) or weight (Wh/kg).
|
|
|
-
Fast Charge:
-
Typical fast charge time for a NiCd is 1 to 3 hours. The fast-charger
detects the state of charge and switches to trickle charge when
full-charge is reached.
-
Float:
-
The use of batteries in which they are charged by an application
to be ready for use if the primary power to the application fails.
Also called standby or backup.
-
Float Charge:
-
Similar to trickle charge. Compensates for the self-discharge
on a SLA battery
-
Forced Discharge:
-
Discharging a cell in a battery, by the other cells or an external
power source, below zero volts into voltage reversal.
-
Fuse:
-
Device used for cutting off an electrical current in the event
of an abusive condition.
|
|
|
-
Gassing:
-
The evolution of gas from one or more of the electrodes in a cell.
Gassing commonly results from local action (self-discharge) or
from the electrolysis of water in the electrolyte during charging.
-
Generator:
-
A device that produces an electric current through magnetism.
-
Gravimetric Energy:
-
The ratio of the energy output of a cell or battery to its weight
(Wh/kg). This term is used interchangeably with specific energy.
-
Ground:
-
To connect to the earth or some conductor which takes the place
of the earth.
|
|
|
-
Hertz (Hz):
-
The standard unit of frequency. A frequency of one complete cycle
per second is a frequency of one hertz.
-
Hourly Rate:
-
A discharge rate, in amperes, of a battery which will deliver
the specified hours of service to a given cutoff voltage.
-
Hydrometer:
-
A device used to measure the specific gravity of the electrolyte
in a cell.
|
|
|
-
Impedance Intermittent Test:
-
Used in terms of the battery's internal resistance a test during
which a battery is subjected to alternate periods of discharge
and rest according to a specified discharge regime.
-
Internal Impedance:
-
The opposition exhibited by a circuit element (cell or battery)
to the flow of an alternating current (a/c.) of a particular frequency
as a result of resistance, induction and capacitance.
-
Internal Resistance (IR):
-
The opposition exhibited by a circuit element to the flow of direct
current (D.C.). In a cell, the internal resistance is the sum
of the ionic and electronic resistances of the cell components.
-
IR Drop:
-
A voltage drop associated with the electrical resistance (R) of
a battery or current flow (I). The voltage drop is the product
of the current (in amperes) and the resistance (in ohms).
|
|
|
-
Lead Acid:
-
Still the most popular battery used today its main application
is for the automobile industry, although it has a growing number
of other applications. Its advantages are low cost, high voltage
per cell and good capacity life. Disadvantages are poor low temperature
characteristics, it is relatively heavy, and it cannot be left
in a discharged state for too long without being damaged. Related
Batteries: Absorbent Glass Matt (AGM) Gel/Gel Cell Sealed Lead
Acid
-
Limiting Current:
-
The maximum current drain under which the particular battery will
perform adequately under a continuous drain. The rate is based
on whatever drain rate reduces the running voltage to 1.1V.
-
Lithium:
-
A primary battery (non-rechargeable) that is quickly entering
mainstream electronic designs, particularly in consumer, portable
equipment and non-volatile memory back up applications where small
size, long life and low cost are the primary requirements. Lithium
batteries have superior cold temperature performance and a shelf
life of 5-10 years.
-
Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion):
-
One of the newer rechargeable battery technologies, Li-Ion batteries
can deliver 40% more capacity than comparably sized NiCd batteries
and are one of the lightest rechargeable batteries available today.
Li-Ion batteries are the batteries of choice in notebook computer,
wireless telephones and many camcorder models. They are also one
of the more expensive rechargeable technologies.
-
Load Current:
-
The discharge current provided by a battery, or drawn by a battery
powered device.
|
|
|
-
Manganese Dioxide:
-
A primary battery (non-rechargeable) similar to that of the alkaline
battery though not as strong in total energy. Available in the
same size as Alkaline and Carbon/Zinc ("AA", "AAA",
"C","D", 9V) the Manganese Dioxide chemistry
is noted for its ability to retain its charge while being stored
at high temperatures and operates well at temperatures as low
as -40°C with little loss of capacity.
-
Memory Effect:
-
A phenomenon in which a cell or battery operated in successive
cycles to the same, but less than full, depth of discharge temporarily
loses the rest of its capacity at normal voltage levels.
-
Metal Hydride:
-
An intermetallic compound or alloy in which hydrogen has been
absorbed-, also, the negative electrode in a nickel-metal hydride
battery.
-
Midpoint Voltage:
-
The voltage of a battery midway in the discharge between the start
of the discharge and the end voltage.
-
Milliamps:
-
Refers to battery capacity. A 1/1000th of an amp, e.g.: 1.0Ah
= 1000mAh.
|
|
|
-
Negative:
-
A terminal or electrode which has an excess of electrons.
-
Nickel Cadmium (NiCd):
-
One of the most proven and historically most widely used rechargeable
batteries. Very dependable and "robust" but contain
cadmium and have relatively low capacity when compared to other
rechargeable systems. Very good high rate discharge capabilities
make them very popular in high drain applications such as power
tools.
-
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH):
-
Interchangeable with most NiCd batteries, nickel metal hydride
(NiMH) batteries generally deliver 10-25% greater capacity than
NiCds and are environmentally more friendly than NiCds since they
do not contain cadmium. Used in many wireless phone and camcorders.
-
Nominal Voltage:
-
The characteristic operating voltage or rated voltage of a battery.
|
|
|
-
Parallel:
-
Term used to describe the interconnection of cells or batteries
in which all the like terminals are connected together. Results
in increased capacity.
-
Passivation:
-
The phenomenon by which a metal, although in conditions of thermodynamic
instability, remains indefinitely unattacked because of modified
or altered surface conditions.
-
Polarity:
-
In electricity, the condition of being positive or negative.
-
Polarization:
-
The lowering of the potential of a cell or electrode from its
equilibrium value caused by the passage of an electric current.
-
Positive:
-
A terminal or electrode which has a shortage of electrons.
-
Positive Temperature:
-
A thermally reactive device which becomes highly resistive at
a specific Coefficient (PTC) temperature or current.
-
Primary Battery:
-
A battery which is not intended to be recharged and is discarded
when the battery has delivered all of its electrical energy.
-
Prismatic Cell:
-
The positive and negative plates are stacked rather than rolled
as done in a cylindrical cell.
-
Pulse Current:
-
A periodic current drain of higher than normal drain rates.
|
|
|
-
Rapid Charge:
-
A charge time that is between slow charge and fast charge (typically
3 to 6 hours for a NiCd).
-
Rated Capacity:
-
The number of ampere-hours a battery can deliver under specific
conditions (e.g., rate of discharge, end voltage, temperature);
usually specified by the battery manufacturer.
-
Rechargeable Battery:
-
A galvanic battery which, after discharge, may be restored to
the fully charged state by the passage of an electrical current
through the cell in the opposite direction to that of discharge.
-
Recondition:
-
One or more deep discharge cycles below 1.0V/cell at a very
low, controlled current. Recondition helps to revert large crystals
to small desirable sized, often restoring the battery to it's
full capacity.
-
Resistance:
-
The degree to which the flow of electrons is opposed by the material
the electrons must pass through. Resistance is expressed in OHMS.
-
Reversal:
-
The changing of the normal polarity of a battery due to Overdischarge.
|
|
|
-
Safety Vent:
-
A venting mechanism designed into a cell which activates under specific
conditions of abuse to relieve internal pressure.
-
Secondary Battery:
-
A battery that can be recharged and reused many times.
-
Secure Waste Landfill:
-
A landfill designed for disposal of normal household trash but
which meets government standards designed to protect the environment.
-
Self-Discharge:
-
The loss of useful capacity of a battery on storage due to internal
chemical action (local action).
-
Separator:
-
An ionic permeable electronically non-conductive spacer or material
which prevents electronic contact between electrodes of opposite
polarity in the same cell.
-
Series:
-
The interconnection of cells in such a manner that the positive
terminal of the first is connected to the negative terminal of
the second, and so on, resulting in increased voltage.
-
Service Life:
-
The period of useful life of a battery before a predetermined
end-point voltage is reached.
-
Shelf Life:
-
The duration of storage under specified conditions at the end
of which the battery still retains the ability to give a specified
performance.
-
Short Circuit:
-
An unwanted electrical connection between a negative and positive
source. Short circuits can damage the battery and equipment and
can cause sparks or fire.
-
Short-circuit Current:
-
The initial value of the current obtained from a battery in a
circuit of negligible resistance.
-
Silver/Oxide:
-
A primary battery (non-rechargeable) it is a major contribution
to miniature power sources, and is well suited for hearing aids,
instruments, photoelectric exposure devices and electronic watches.
These cells are primarily made in the smaller “button”
sizes.
-
Slow Charge:
-
Typically an over-night charge lasting abut 14 hours at a charge
current of 0.1C. Battery does not require instant removal when
fully charged.
-
Smart Battery:
-
Battery with internal circuit enabling some communication between
the battery and the user. Some batteries feature a capacity indicator
only, others offer an external bus to interface with the equipment
the battery power and the intelligent charger.
-
Soft Cell:
-
A cell whose voltage rises above its defined boundaries during
charging. This voltage rise may be caused by high cell impedance
as a result of prolonged battery storage, very cold battery temperature
or lack of electrolyte.
-
Specific Energy:
-
The ratio of the energy output of a cell or battery to its weight
(Wh/kg). This term is used interchangeably with gravimetric energy
density.
-
Specific Gravity:
-
The weight of the sulfuric acid electrolyte compared to water.
-
Spiral Wound:
-
An electrode structure of high surface area created by winding
the electrodes and separator into a spiral-wound jelly-roll configuration.
-
Standby:
-
The use of batteries in which they are charged by an application
to be ready for use if the primary power to the application fails.
Also called float or backup.
-
State of Charge:
-
The capacity remaining in a battery.
-
Sulfation:
-
Growth of lead sulfate crystals in Lead-Acid batteries which inhibits
current flow. Sulfation is caused by storage at low state of charge.
|
|
|
-
Temperature Cutoff:
-
A protective or safety device (e.g., thermostat, PTC, etc.) which
senses temperature in a battery and opens or cuts off the electrical
circuit if the specified temperature is exceeded, thus preventing
a further rise in temperature due to the charge or discharge of
a battery.
-
Terminal:
-
A device at the end of a cell or wire for making a connection
to an adjoining cell or wire.
-
Thermistor:
-
A temperature sensitive resistor usually made from specially processed
oxides that are used to sense end of charge temperature rises
and terminates high rate charging.
-
Thermostat:
-
A temperature sensitive switch.
-
Top-Up Charge:
-
A low rate charge following the main charge, designed to ensure
maximum capacity.
-
Trickle Charge:
-
A charge at a low rate, balancing losses through local action
and/or periodic discharge, to maintain a cell or battery in a
fully charged condition.
|
|
|
-
Voltage:
-
A unit of measuring electrical pressure, all batteries are rated
in volts DC (Direct Current).
-
Voltage Depression:
-
An abnormal drop in voltage below expected values during the discharge
of a battery.
-
Voltage Delay:
-
Time delay for a battery to deliver the required operating voltage
after it is placed under load.
-
Voltage-Keyed:
-
A system that incorporates a mechanical identifier on batteries
and devices to ensure only batteries of the correct voltage are
connected to the device.
-
Voltage Regulator:
-
A device that regulates the output of a generator or alternator
by controlling the current and voltage.
-
Voltage Reversal:
-
The changing of the normal polarity of a battery due to overdischarge.
-
Volumetric Energy Density:
-
The ratio of the energy output of a cell or battery to its volume
(Wh/L).
|
|
|
-
Wall-less Design:
-
A battery design where the structural support for the cells is formed
by an open plastic framework.
-
Watts:
-
A measurement of energy, arrived at by multiplying the voltage
by the amperage.
-
Watt Hours:
-
A common measurement of energy produced in a given amount of time,
arrived at by multiplying the voltage by the amp hours.
|
|
|
-
Zinc/Air:
- A primary battery (non-rechargeable) that was commonly used for applications such as watches and hearing aids. In relation to their physical size, Zinc/Air batteries store more energy per unit of weight (in terms of 220 W h/kg) than any other primary type.
|
|
|
|
My Shopping Basket:
|
|
Your basket is currently empty.
|
|
Battery News:
|
|
Custom Battery Pack Engineering
Specialist Battery Design & Manufacturing Services from Cell Pack Solutions Ltd offer the highest quality with a friendly and rapid turnaround... More>>
|
|
Custom Made Battery Packs
Cell Pack Solutions provide a custom made battery pack to your specification with their design-prototyping-manufacture-supply service from their North East England facilities... More>>
|
|
Duracell's Best Rechargeable Battery
As one of the UK leading Duracell battery suppliers, Cell Pack Solutions Ltd are now offering Duracell StayCharged batteries as the best rechargeable NiMh battery in the Duracell range... More>>
|
|
Sign up for our Newsletter:
|
*
Shows a Required Field:
|
|
|
