136: Electric batteries for common applications

Electric battery is a power storage source composed of single cell or multiple cells (connected in series) with external connections for powering electrical devices. In fact, battery converts the chemical energy stored in the battery into electrical energy.

Electric battery component:

1. Voltaic cell
2. Conductive electrolyte
3. Terminals
   • Positive terminal (cathode)
   • Negative terminal (anode)

Note: When the battery is placed in an electrical circuit with external load, electrons move from the anode (negative) to the cathode (positive) but we consider the direction of the current in the opposite direction, i.e. from the cathode (positive) to the anode (negative).

Electric battery type based on usage (common):

1- Single use (disposable): during the discharge original composition of electrodes is changed irreversibly.

• Alkaline battery
• Zinc–carbon battery
• Lithium battery
• Mercury battery
• Penny battery

2- Rechargeable: a reverse current can restore the original composition of electrodes.

• Nickel–cadmium battery (NiCd)
• Nickel metal hydride (NiMH)
• Rechargeable alkaline battery
• Lead–acid battery
• Lithium-ion battery

Electric battery type based on size (common):

• D (Mono): (L=61.5 mm, ø = 33.2 mm)
• C (Baby): (L=50 mm, ø = 26.2 mm)
• AA (Mignon): (L=49.2–50.5 mm, ø = 13.5–14.5 mm)
• AAA (Micro): (L=44.5 mm, ø = 10.5 mm)
• AAAA (Mini): (L=42.5 mm, ø = 8.3 mm)
• N: (L=30.2 mm, ø = 12.0 mm)
• A23: (L=28.5 mm, ø = 10.3 mm)
• A27: (L=28.2 mm, ø = 8.0 mm)
• PP3 (D: 17.5 mm. W: 26.5 mm. H: 48.5 mm)

Note: Some manufacturers and suppliers have their own special size of batteries.

Electric battery type based on voltage (common):

The voltage of battery depends on the materials used inside the battery and not on its physical size.

• Cylindrical / Button cell
  • 1.25 / 1.35 / 1.5 V
  • 3 V
• Rectangular
  • 4.5 V
  • 6 V
  • 9 V
  • 12 V

Electric battery type based on shape:

1- Miniature size (button cell):

Application: wristwatch, hearing aid etc.

2- Small and thin size:

Application: smartphone etc.

3- Large size:

Application: vehicle etc.

4- Huge size (bank):

Application: data center, telephone exchange etc.

Related standards

• IEC 60086
• IEC 60095
• ANSI C18