In an increasingly digital and electrified world, we find that batteries are present in more and more aspects of our daily lives. Yet, the terminology surrounding batteries can often seem like a foreign language, filled with technical terms and acronyms. Fear not! In this guide, we'll embark on a journey to unravel the mysteries of battery terminology, providing you with the knowledge and understanding needed to navigate this essential aspect of modern technology.
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Battery: We can’t have a blog about battery terminology without defining the term “battery”, right? A battery is a device that’s made of one or more electrochemical cells with external connections. It provides power to electrical devices by converting stored chemical energy into electrical energy.
Electrode: A conductor through which electric current enters or leaves an electrical device or medium, such as an electrolyte, vacuum, or semiconductor. There are two types of electrodes - anodes and cathodes. ????
Anode: The electrode through which conventional current flows into a polarized electrical device. In a battery, this would be the negative terminal during discharge.
Cathode: The electrode through which conventional current flows out of a polarized electrical device. It is the positive terminal in a battery during discharge.
Electrolyte: A substance that produces an electrically conducting solution when dissolved in a solvent. It allows the flow of ions between the electrodes.
Voltage: A measure of the electric potential difference between two points. It is the force that drives an electric current in a circuit. Essentially, voltage is the force that pushes electric charges (such as electrons) through a conductor, causing electric current to flow.
Capacity: The amount of electric charge a battery can deliver at its rated voltage.
Amp-hours: A unit of electric charge representing one ampere of current flow for one hour.
Cranking Amps (CA): A rating used to define a battery's ability to start an engine in cold temperatures.
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): A measure of the number of amps a battery can deliver at 0°F for 30 seconds while maintaining at least 7.2 volts.
Reserved Capacity: The portion of a battery's capacity that is not utilized in normal operation, serving as a reserve for unexpected demands.
Battery Cell: A basic electrochemical unit. It produces a voltage potential between its terminals.
Primary Battery: A non-rechargeable battery that cannot be reused after its chemical components are exhausted.
Secondary Battery : A rechargeable battery capable of being discharged and recharged multiple times.
Li-ion Battery: Lithium-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge and back when charging.
NiCd Battery: Nickel-cadmium battery, a rechargeable battery in which nickel oxide hydroxide and metallic cadmium serve as electrodes.
NiMH Battery: Nickel-metal hydride battery, a type of rechargeable battery similar to NiCd but with a higher energy density.
Alkaline Battery: A type of primary battery with an alkaline electrolyte, typically zinc and manganese dioxide.
Lead-acid Battery: A type of secondary battery in which lead dioxide and metallic lead serve as electrodes and sulfuric acid serves as the electrolyte.
Sealed Lead-acid Battery / SLA BAttery: A lead-acid battery in which the electrolyte is immobilized, reducing the risk of spillage.
Battery Terminals / Battery Posts: The metal terminals on a battery used for electrical connection.
Battery Terminal Adapters: Devices used to adapt different sizes or types of battery terminals for proper connection.
Battery Cartridge: A self-contained unit containing one or more batteries, often used in portable electronic devices.
State of Charge (SoC): The remaining capacity of a battery expressed as a percentage of its full charge.
State of Health (SoH): A measure of a battery's remaining capacity relative to its original capacity, often used to assess its overall condition.
Overcharge: The process of charging a battery beyond its capacity, which can lead to damage or reduced lifespan.
Discharge: The process of extracting energy from a battery by drawing current from it.
Overdischarge: The process of excessively discharging a battery, which can lead to damage or reduced lifespan.
C-rate: A measure of the rate at which a battery is charged or discharged relative to its capacity.
Battery Cycle: A single charge-discharge cycle of a battery.
Cycle Life: The number of charge-discharge cycles a battery can undergo before its capacity falls below a specified threshold.
Shelf Life: The period during which a battery can be stored before significant capacity loss occurs.
Watt-hour (Wh): A unit of energy equal to one watt of power expended for one hour.
Watts per Cell: The amount of power a single cell in a battery can deliver.
Power Density: The amount of power that can be generated per unit volume or mass of a battery.
Energy Density: The amount of energy that can be stored per unit volume or mass of a battery.
Thermal Runaway: A condition in which a battery undergoes uncontrollable self-heating, potentially leading to fire or explosion.
Battery Management System (BMS): An electronic system that manages and monitors the charging, discharging, and overall performance of a battery, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Is there anything else you'd like to know about? Let us know in the comments!
- BatterySharks.com
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