![]() They are also lighter in weight and are less susceptible to leaks. Lithium batteries are higher in energy, which means relative to size, they pack more power. Lithium batteries are the ideal general-purpose battery group without the high drain disadvantage of alkaline. Lithium metal batteries (non-rechargeable types) ![]() Learn more about alkalines in Primary battery options: a look at alkaline batteries. They are also not suitable for high drain devices (high-powered devices), that will quickly deplete them. Caveats: Alkaline batteries are known to leak, heat up, and often deliver less than their energy rating. These are your run-of-the-mill, bang-for-the buck, general-purpose battery you can buy anywhere and use in all kinds of applications with little issue. Zinc batteries preceded alkaline chemistry batteries, which have largely supplanted them as the readily available, general-purpose battery.Īlkaline batteries provide moderate power with low energy loss. They should not be expected to be able to handle medium drain devices beyond several minutes and they are susceptible to leaks. They provide a fraction of the power of alkaline and are best used for occasionally run, low power devices like clocks or calculators. Zinc batteries are perhaps the cheapest batteries on the market. Zinc metal batteries: Zinc-Carbon and Zinc-Chloride In this loose context, the choice of words is alluding to the battery itself, and not to its constituent cell.Ī look at commonly available primary battery types That is why you will notice that a button battery or a coin battery is often variably referred to as a button cell or a coin cell, or even as a button cell battery or coin cell battery. The small, relatively flat, coin or button shaped batteries you find in small electronics and watches-these also consist of one cell. ![]() Batteries are made up of one or more cells.įor example, an alkaline AAAA battery or an AA battery consists of one cell, but the typical lead-acid car battery might consist of 6 cells. Think of a cell as a single unit that converts chemical processes into electrical energy. The difference between cells and batteries For devices that interchangeably accept alkaline or lithium, a rechargeable lithium battery is often a better choice provided that its voltage is compatible. Secondary cells are good for high power electronics. A mobile phone battery, car battery, and a rechargeable lithium AA battery are good examples. These come in many of the shapes and sizes as primary cells, plus a whole lot more. Primary cells are relatively cheap, have a long shelf life, and are very easy to maintain.Ī secondary cell refers to the opposite. Primary cells are ideal for low to moderate power needs of occasionally used, low-drain devices. Most are available in standard A, AA, AAA, AAAA, C, D, 9-volt sizes, and in small, flat, disc shapes. Think of disposable batteries that you discard upon depletion. In a nutshell, a primary cell refers to a single-use battery that is not rechargeable. Sometimes they are referred to as primary batteries and secondary batteries. As much as possible, we will avoid the technical gibberish and unnecessary complexities.īatteries are grouped under two broad categories, aptly called primary cells and secondary cells. ![]() We will simplify the two broad battery categories, quickly distinguish between batteries and cells, then describe the basic battery types of each category and some of their features. In this post, I will try to make it more palatable with just essentials. Who was I kidding? After all, battery design, configuration, and application are grounded in chemistry, engineering, and other technologies.įor the common shopper, grasping some battery basics can go a long way in helping you understand descriptions, compare your options, and make informed decisions to get the right battery for your need. In fact, I quickly got lost with the bombardment of battery and electro-chemical terms in technical charts that seemed to be common knowledge to my peers. When I started working for Microbattery sixteen years ago, I quickly realized that there is much more to knowing batteries than being able to tell apart a lithium battery from a car battery, or distinguishing among alkaline AA, C, D, and so forth.
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