| Active Material |
Specific chemically reactive material at the positive or negative electrode that takes part in the charge and discharge reactions. |
| Air Cell |
Battery system which utilizes oxygen in combination with catalyzed carbon as the cathode and zinc as the anode to produce electricity. |
| Alkaline Battery |
Primary battery which employs alkaline aqueous solution for its electrolyte. |
| Ampere-Hours |
Product of current (amperes), multiplied by time (in hours) the circuit is closed (current flowing). |
| Anode |
The negative electrode. The electrode at which an oxidation reaction (loss of electrons) occurs. |
| ANSI |
American National Standards Institute. Sets battery standards for safety, size, performance, etc. |
| AverageDrain |
The average current withdrawn from a cell or battery during discharge; usually approximated by calculating the current at 50% depth of discharge. |
| Battery |
Technically, a battery consists of two or more series or parallel connected galvanic cells. Frequently, however, a single cell is called a battery. |
| Button Cell |
See miniature battery |
| Capacity |
Output capability over a period of time; expressed in ampere-hours. |
| Carbon Zinc |
A generic term for primary dry batteries of the LeClanche or Zinc Chloride systems. |
| Cathode |
The positive electrode. The electrode at which a reduction reaction (gain of electrons) occurs. |
| Cell |
A primary galvanic unit which converts chemical energy directly into electric energy. Typically consists of two electrodes of dissimilar material isolated from one another electronically in a common ionically conductive electrolyte. |
| Cell Reversal |
Reversing polarity of terminals of a cell or battery due to over discharge. |
| Charge, State of |
Condition in terms of the rated capacity remaining at a given point in time. |
| Charging |
Process of supplying electrical energy for conversion to stored chemical energy. |
| Closed-circuit voltage (CCV) |
Voltage as measured of a cell or battery under a specific discharge load and time interval. |
| Coin Cell |
See miniature battery |
| Collector |
Electronic connection between the battery electrode and the external circuit. |
| Constant Current |
Charging or discharging method in which current does not change appreciably in magnitude regardless of battery voltage or temperature. |
| Constant Power |
Power remains stable regardless of battery voltage. As battery voltage changes, the current is adjusted to maintain targeted power value. (See below for power definition.) |
| Constant Resistance |
Commonly found in devices which maintain a constant resistance throughout the battery discharge. As the battery is drained, both voltage and current decline. |
| Continuous Test Regimen |
Charge and/or discharge profile that is defined without rest periods.
|
| Cutoff Voltage |
Voltage at the end of useful discharge. Battery voltage below which the connected equipment will not operate or below which operation is not recommended. |
| Cycle |
One sequence of activity. This can be a pulse or continuous drain. |
| Cylindrical Battery |
A battery whose height is greater than its diameter. The term cylindrical is also used to describe batteries made up of cylindrical cells. |
| Deep Discharge |
Discharge of the battery to below the specified voltage cutoff before the battery is replaced or recharged. |
| Depth of Discharge (DOD) |
The percent of rated capacity to which a cell or battery is discharged. |
| Discharge |
Withdrawal of electrical energy from a cell or battery, usually to operate connected equipment. |
| Discharge Rate |
The current at which a cell or battery is discharged. |
| Drain |
Withdrawal of current from a cell or battery. |
| Drain, Heavy |
Generally, current that would discharge a battery within one day at room temperature. |
| Drain, Light |
Generally, current that would discharge a battery after one month at room temperature. |
| Drain, Moderate |
Current that would discharge a battery in approximately one week at room temperature. |
| Dry Battery |
A battery in which the electrolyte is immobilized, being either in the form of a paste or gel or absorbed into the separator material. |
| Duty Cycle |
The time duration and use frequency during which a battery is drained (i.e. 2 hours/day). |
| Electrode |
Conducting body at which the electrochemical reaction occurs. |
| Electrolyte |
May be solid or liquid. Usually an aqueous salt solution that permits ionic conduction between the positive and negative electrodes |
| Energy |
Output capability; ampere-hour capacity times average closed-circuit discharge voltage, expressed as watt-hours. |
| Energy Density |
Ratio of battery energy to weight or volume (watt-hours per kilogram or watt-hours per cubic centimeter). |
| Functional End Point (FEP) |
Voltage below which battery-operated equipment will not function properly. |
| IEC |
International Electro Chemical Commission. A worldwide organization for standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. |
| Impedance (Z) |
The total opposition that a battery offers to the flow of alternating current. Impedance is a combination of resistance and reactance. |
| Initial Drain |
Current that a cell or battery supplies when first placed on load. Also referred to as starting drain. |
| Internal Resistance (Ri) |
Opposition to direct current flow within a battery, with the battery as source, causing a drop in closed-circuit voltage proportional to the current drain from the battery. |
| Intermittent Test Regimen |
Charge and/or discharge profile that is defined with specified rest periods. |
| LeClanche |
A Carbon Zinc battery with slightly acidic electrolyte consisting of ammonium chloride and zinc chloride in water. |
| Miniature Battery |
A button or coin shaped battery whose diameter is greater than its height. The term "Miniature" is also used to describe batteries made up of miniature cells. |
| Open-Circuit Voltage (OCV) |
The no load voltage of a cell or battery measured with a high resistance voltmeter. |
| Polarization |
Electrical potential reduction of electrodes typically arising from prolonged or rapid discharge of the battery. |
| Primary |
A cell or battery designed to deliver its rated capacity once and be discarded; not designed to be recharged. |
| Rated Capacity |
The average capacity delivered by a cell or battery on a specified load and temperature to a voltage cutoff point, as designated by the manufacturer; usually an accelerated test approximating the cell or battery’s capacity in typical use. |
| Rate Sensitivity |
Typically refers to battery performance under various discharge loads with operating voltage being the defining characteristic |
| Rating Drain |
The specified current withdrawn form a cell or battery to determine its rating capacity. |
| Rechargeable |
Capable of being recharged; refers to secondary cells or batteries. |
| Secondary |
A cell or battery designed to be recharged. |
| Self Discharge Rate |
The rate at which a cell or battery loses its capacity when standing idle. |
| Service Maintenance |
The percent of fresh rated capacity remaining after a specified period of time. |
| Shelf-Life |
The amount of time a cell or battery will retain a specified percent of its rated capacity, typically under ambient storage conditions. |
| Silver Oxide |
Battery containing cathode of silver oxide, anode of zinc and highly alkaline electrolyte consisting of NaOH or KOH. |
| Trickle Charge |
A method of recharging in which a secondary battery is either continuously or intermittently connected to a constant current supply that maintains the battery in a fully or near full charged condition. |
| Zinc Chloride |
A Carbon Zinc battery with a slightly acidic electrolyte consisting mainly of zinc chloride in water. |