Classification, types and sizes of batteries

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 22:35

Today, batteries are the most common power source for electronics and small appliances. The need to replace them arises quite often. In order to make the best choice when buying a new galvanic cell, you should pay attention not only to the size of the batteries and the name of the manufacturer. This article will answer the following questions: what form do these power sources come in? What are the types of batteries by size? How are galvanic cells marked and what should you pay attention to when buying so that the power supply lasts a long time?

Types of batteries

Batteries are classified according to the materials from which their active components are made: anode, cathode and electrolyte.

There are five types of modern power sources:

• s alt,
• alkaline,
• mercury,
• silver,
• lithium.

Battery types by size will be listed below. Now let's take a closer look at each ofspecified classes of galvanic cells.

S alt batteries

S alt batteries were created in the second half of the twentieth century. They replaced the previously existing manganese-zinc power sources. The dimensions of the batteries have not changed, but the manufacturing technology of these galvanic cells has become different. S alt power supplies use an ammonium chloride solution as the electrolyte. It contains electrodes made of zinc and manganese oxide. The connection between the individual electrolytes is carried out using a s alt bridge.

The main advantage of such batteries is their low cost. These galvanic batteries are the cheapest of all.

Disadvantages of s alt batteries:

• during the discharge period, the voltage drops significantly;
• shelf life is short and only 2 years;
• by the end of the guaranteed shelf life, the capacity is reduced by 30-40 percent;
• at low temperature, the capacitance is reduced to almost zero.

Alkaline batteries

These batteries were invented in 1964. Another name for these food sources is alkaline (from the English word alkaline, which means “alkaline” in translation).

The electrodes of this battery are made of zinc and manganese dioxide. Alkali potassium hydroxide acts as an electrolyte.

Today, these batteries are the most common, because they are perfect for mostelectronic devices.

Advantages of alkaline power supplies:

• have a higher capacity compared to s alt and, as a result, a longer service life;
• can work at low ambient temperature;
• have improved tightness, that is, the likelihood of leakage is reduced;
• have a longer shelf life of 5 years;
• have a reduced self-discharge rate compared to s alt batteries.

Disadvantages of alkaline food sources:

• discharge period is characterized by a gradual decrease in output voltage;
• Alkaline batteries are the same size as saline batteries, but the cost and weight of alkaline batteries are higher.

Mercury batteries

In such a battery, the anode is made of zinc, the cathode is made of mercury oxide. The electrodes are separated by a separator and a diaphragm impregnated with a 40% potassium hydroxide solution. Alkali is used here as an electrolyte. Thanks to this composition, this power source can work as a battery. But during cyclic operation, the galvanic cell degrades, its capacity decreases.

Advantages of mercury batteries:

• stable voltage;
• high capacity and energy density;
• capable of both high and low ambient temperatures;
• long shelf life of 10 years.

Disadvantages of mercurypower supplies:

• high price;
• possibility of dangerous exposure to mercury vapor in case of depressurization;
• need to improve collection and disposal process.

Silver batteries

In a silver battery, zinc is used for the anode, and silver oxide for the cathode. The electrolyte is sodium or potassium hydroxide.

This category includes watch batteries, the dimensions of which will be given below. The advantages of silver power sources are as follows:

• voltage stability;
• presence of high capacity and energy density;
• immunity to ambient temperature;
• long service life and storage.

The disadvantage of these batteries is their high cost.

Lithium batteries

In such a battery, the cathode is made of lithium. It is separated from the anode by a separator and a diaphragm, which is impregnated with an organic electrolyte.

Pros of lithium batteries:

• constant voltage;
• high capacity and energy density;
• independence of energy intensity from load current;
• small mass;
• long shelf life of up to 12 years;
• immunity to temperature extremes.

The disadvantages of lithium batteries can only be attributed to their high cost.

As mentioned above, food sources have different chemical composition. The shapes and sizes of batteries also differ significantly from each other. Galvanic cells have different heights, diameters and voltages. Consider the classification of batteries in accordance with these parameters.

Classification of batteries by size

Depending on voltage, height, diameter and shape, power sources can be systematized in a certain way. One of the most popular classification systems is the American one. It is shown in the figure below. This standardization is convenient and is used in many countries.

According to the American system, power supplies are classified as follows:

Name	Height, mm	Diameter, mm	Voltage, V
D	61, 5	34, 2	1, 5
C	50, 0	26, 2	1, 5
AA	50, 5	14, 5	1, 5
AAA	44, 5	10, 5	1, 5
PP3	48, 5	26, 5	9, 0

In addition to the class indicated in the table, power sources also have a common name that is used inpeople. For example, the size of an AA battery is comparable to the size of a human finger, so the “folk” name for this galvanic cell is a “finger” battery, or “two A”. But the power supply C is commonly referred to as "inch". The galvanic cell D is called a "barrel". And the AAA battery, the dimensions of which are similar to the parameters of the smallest finger of a person, is not in vain called the “little finger”, or “three A”. The PP3 power supply was named "krone".

Also, miniature round batteries are widely used in electronics, the sizes and names of which are diverse. More information about the silver pills and the classification of such power sources is given below.

Batteries "tablets": sizes and names

Another name for a miniature round battery is a dry cell. Such power supplies consist of an anode made of silver oxide, a zinc cathode and an electrolyte. The latter is a mixture of s alts, which has a pasty consistency.

Different manufacturers often assign designations to such power supplies that differ from the standard ones. Below is a classification table that lists alternative names and sizes for watch batteries.

It is these miniature silver "pills" that make the mechanisms of modern wristwatches work. When it comes time to replace the battery, you may be faced with the question, what kind of power source is suitable in this situation? For example, if the watch used element 399, you caninstead, put a miniature battery, which, depending on the manufacturer, may have the names V399, D399, LR57, LR57SW, LR927, LR927SW or L927E. Under these names, a “tablet” will be produced, the height of which is 2.6 millimeters and the diameter is 9.5.

Battery size is not the only parameter to consider when buying power supplies. In order to learn how to decipher the information that is located on the galvanic cells, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic principles of their labeling.

Battery markings

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has created a specific notation system, according to which all batteries should be marked. Information about its energy intensity, composition, size, class and voltage value should be indicated on the power source case. Using the example of the battery shown below, let's take a closer look at all the marking elements.

The information on the power supply indicates the following:

• the electric charge of the galvanic cell is 15 Ah;
• power source class - AA, that is, it is a "finger" battery;
• voltage is 1.5 volts.

What does the inscription "LR6" mean? This, in fact, is the marking, which gives information about the chemical composition and class of the power source. The types of batteries have the following letter designations:

• s alt – R;
• alkaline – LR;
• silver –SR;
• lithium – CR.

Battery classes are indicated by the following numbers:

• D – 20;
• C–14;
• AA-6;
• AAA-03;
• PP3 – 6/22.

Now you can decipher the marking LR6 in the above picture. The letters here indicate that this is an alkaline galvanic cell, and the number indicates the size of the "finger" battery, that is, it indicates that the power source belongs to class AA.

Scope of application and features of the choice of batteries

First of all, it should be noted that all galvanic cells meet the requirements of unification, that is, the consumer can easily replace the power source of one manufacturer with a similar battery from another. There is only one caveat: you should not use current sources manufactured by different companies or, moreover, belonging to different types in one device. This will significantly reduce battery life.

When choosing power supplies, you need to pay attention to the packaging. Often, the manufacturer indicates on it the devices in which it is recommended to use these particular batteries. If this information is not provided, the tips below will help you make the right choice.

S alt batteries have a low capacity of 0.6-0.8 Ah and are used in devices with low power consumption. These can be remote controls, electronic thermometers, testers, floor or kitchen scales. S alt cells can also be used as watch batteries. The dimensions of such current sources are similar to the correspondingparameters of alkaline, but their areas of application vary significantly. After all, if you use s alt batteries in devices with an electric motor, flashlights or cameras, then their service life can be only 20-30 minutes. Such galvanic cells are not designed for heavy loads.

Alkaline batteries have a fairly large capacity of 1.5-3.2 Ah. This allows them to be successfully used in devices that have increased power consumption. Such devices include digital cameras with flash, flashlights, children's toys, office phones, computer mice, etc. Batteries designed specifically for cameras give off energy faster. This has a positive effect on the speed of the cameras. If you use an alkaline power source in devices with low power consumption, then the batteries will show excellent results, their service life will be several years.

Twenty to thirty years ago, mercury batteries were widely used in devices such as electronic watches, pacemakers, hearing aids, and military devices. To date, the use of these power sources is limited. In many countries, it is forbidden to manufacture and operate such electrochemical cells due to the fact that mercury is a toxic substance. In the case of using these current sources, it is necessary to organize their separate collection and disposal in accordance with safety requirements.

Silver batteries are not widely useddue to the high cost of the metal. However, miniature power supplies of this kind are widely used in watches, laptop and computer motherboards, hearing aids, music cards, key fobs and other devices where larger batteries cannot be used.

Lithium batteries have a longer life than even the best alkaline batteries. Therefore, such power supplies are used in devices that have high power consumption. It can be computer and photographic equipment, medical equipment.

Conclusion

A battery is a product that, despite its small size, can be dangerous. You can not disassemble the power source, throw it into the fire and, of course, try to recharge. On the net you can find tips on how to give the battery a second life. Do not attempt such experiments, as it can be dangerous.

When buying new batteries, you should pay attention not only to the manufacturer and suitable sizes, but also to the chemical composition of power sources. To do this, you need to be able to read the label. Properly selected batteries will serve you for a long time and with high quality.