What kind of batteries are there

Cell: A cell is an energy source which can deliver only DC voltage and current which are in very small quantities. For example if we take cells that we use in watches or remote controls, it can give maximum of 1. The best known example for a battery is a power bank which is used to charge up smart phones. Batteries are arranged in series to increase the voltage and in parallel to increase the current.

Even the losses due to AC power are more when compared to the DC power. That is the reason DC is preferred for portable electronic devices. It is the energy stored in a battery which is measured in Watt-hour. We generally see the battery ratings as mAh or mAh while reading the specifications of a smart phone. What does that mean?? Example: mAh it means that the battery has a capability to deliver 2.

The time that the battery works continuously depends upon the load current that it consumes. So if the load consumes only 25 mA of current then the battery can stay alive for hours. How is it? It means the amount of current that the battery can deliver. It is also known as C-rating. Note : Higher the C rating, more the current that can be drawn from the battery.

As the voltage of the battery will be constant and will not be varied, it is considered as nominal voltage fixed voltage.

It is the maximum current that can be applied to charge the battery i. It is the maximum voltage that should be applied to the battery to efficiently charge a battery. Basically 4. Though we apply 5 V to the battery it accepts only 4. It is the current that can be drawn from the battery and is delivered to the load.

If the current drawn by the load is greater than the rated discharging current, the battery drains very fast which causes the battery heat up quickly which also causes the battery to explode. So it is cautious to determine the amount of current drawn by the load as well as the maximum discharging current a battery can withhold.

So shelf life defines the time period a battery can be stay powered up and should be able to use it for a rated time period. Shelf life is mainly considered for non-rechargeable batteries because those are of use and throw.

For rechargeable batteries even if the shelf time is less, we can still recharge it. It is the voltage at which the battery can be considered as fully discharged , after which if we still try to discharge from it the battery gets damaged. So beyond the cut-off voltage the battery should be disconnected from the circuit and should be charged appropriately.

Likewise the number of such cycles that a battery can charge and discharge defines the cycle life. Now, volume of a AAA alkaline battery is So if 1Kg can give Wh capacity, then how much a So, we know the nominal voltage of alkaline battery is 1. So it provides 1. These types of batteries are basically considered as primary batteries because they can be used only once.

These batteries cannot be recharged and used again. They are based on Nickel Oxyhydroxide Nickel Oxide as the positive electrode and Cadmium metal based negative electrode.

Coming to the electrolyte, an alkaline solution of Potassium Hydroxide is used. In the recent decades, two new types of rechargeable batteries have emerged. The lead-acid batteries are by far the most popular and most used rechargeable batteries. They have been a successful product for more than a century. Lead-acid batteries are available in several different configurations like small sealed cells with capacity of 1 Ah to large cells with capacity of 12, Ah.

One of the major applications od lead-acid batteries are in the automotive industry as they are primarily used as SLI Batteries Starting, Lighting and Ignition.

Other applications of lead-acid batteries include energy storage, emergency power, electric vehicles even hybrid vehicles , communication systems, emergency lighting systems, etc.

The wide range of applications of lead-acid batteries are a result of its wide voltage ranges, different shapes and sizes, low cost and relatively easy maintenance. When compared to other secondary battery technologies, lead-acid batteries are the least expensive option for any application and provide very good performance.

The Nickel — Cadmium Batteries or simply Ni-Cd Batteries are one of the oldest battery types available today along with the lead-acid batteries. They have a very long life and are very reliable and sturdy.

One of the main advantages of Ni-Cd Batteries is that they can be subjected to high discharge rates and they can be operated over a wide range of temperatures. Also, the shelf life of Ni-Cd batteries is very long. The cost of these batteries is higher that lead-acid batteries on per Watt-hour basic but it is less that other type of alkaline batteries.

Typical consumer grade batteries come with an on-line voltage of 1. In industrial applications, Ni-Cd are just second to lead-acid batteries due to their low temperature performances, flat discharge voltage, long life, low maintenance and excellent reliability. When Ni-Cd cells are discharged partially and then recharged, they lose their capacity progressively i.

These are relatively new type of batteries are an extended version of Nickel — Hydrogen Electrode Batteries, which were exclusively used in aerospace applications satellites.

The positive electrode is the Nickel Oxyhydroxide NiOOH while the negative electrode of the cell is a metal alloy, where hydrogen is stored reversibly. During charge, the metal alloy absorbs the hydrogen to form metal hydride and while discharge, the metal hydride loses hydrogen.

One main advantage of Nickel-metal hydride batteries over Ni-Cd batterie its higher specific energy and energy density. Sealed Nickel-metal hydride batteries are available commercially as small cylindrical cells and are used in portable electronics. The emergence of lithium-ion batteries in the last couple of decades has been quite phenomenal. Particularly, laptops, mobile phones, cameras, etc.

Lithium-ion batteries have significantly high energy density, high specific energy and longer cycle life. Other main advantages of lithium-ion batteries are slow self-discharge rate and wide range of operating temperatures. In the last few decades, the usage of small sealed batteries in consumer applications has been exponential.

On top of these two, you also might want to consider the following:. Are you looking for a certain type of battery for your household needs? Look no further than our great selection of batteries, from Alkaline to Lead-acid.

Reliable and longer life. Unlike alkaline batteries, high-performance Lithium batteries boast an exceptional shelf life. This means they will be ready when you need them.

See the full range of Lithium batteries here. Browse through our high performance, multi-purpose lead-acid batteries here. They provide dependable primary and backup power in domestic and also commercial applications. Find a nearby recycling outlet at Recycling Near You. You must be logged in to post a comment. We use cookies to ensure you have the best experience on our site. If you continue to use this site you consent to the use of these cookies.

Find out more in our Privacy Policy. What Is Battery? Share to Social Media. Their specifications, classifications and terminologies are also included. Cell and Battery We all know how capable a battery is for supplying electric power. A cell contains three main components: two electrodes and an electrolyte. The anode is the negative electrode, whereas the cathode is the positive one.

Overall, the cells in a battery provide the necessary voltage and current levels. Different Types of Batteries Electrochemical cells and batteries are categorised into two types. Although there are several other classifications, these two are the basics: Primary non-rechargeable Secondary rechargeable Primary batteries are non-rechargeable ones.

The secondary batteries work otherwise. Primary batteries A primary battery is a convenient sources of power for portable electronics and devices. Secondary Batteries The main advantage of these batteries is they can be recharged and reused. Other major types of rechargeable batteries include: Nickel — Cadmium Batteries. One of the oldest battery types available today. They have a very long life and are also very reliable and sturdy.

Nickel — Metal Hydride Batteries. Ideal use in aerospace applications satellites. Battery Applications Primary and secondary batteries are both used in a lot of appliances, such as: Portable electronic devices: Smartphones, watches, cameras, laptops, calculators, including testing equipment like multimeters.

Household: Smoke detectors, alarms, clocks, UPS, portable power tools , and more.