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Ambient Temperature |
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The prevailing temperature in the surrounding environment. |
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Ampere |
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A unit of measurement for electrical current. One ampere is equivalent to a flow of one coulomb per second past any point, or to the steady current produced by one volt applied across a resistance of one ohm. Also Amp. |
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Ampere-Hour |
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A unit quantity of electricity equal to the amount carried past any point in one hour by a steady current of one ampere. Used to indicate the capacity of a battery as the product of current (amps) multiplied by time (hours). Also Amp-Hours (AH). |
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Anode |
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The positive (+) terminal of an electrolytic cell or battery. The anode is the negative electrode, or the electrode that is oxidized (loses electrons) by the electrochemical reaction. |
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Battery |
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A single cell or a group of two or more cells, connected together in series or parallel, to furnish electric current. |
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Alkaline battery |
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A primary battery (non-rechargeable), chemical system is Zinc-Manganese Dioxide (Zn/MnO2). Typical cell construction is a zinc anode, a manganese dioxide cathode, and a potassium hydroxide electrolyte. Nominal voltage is 1.5 volts per cell. |
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Lead Acid battery |
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A secondary battery (rechargeable), chemical system is lead (Pb), lead dioxide (PbO2), and diluted sulfuric acid solution (H2SO4). Typical cell construction is lead plates with lead oxide paste for the electrodes, and a diluted sulfuric acid electrolyte. In the charged state, the negative plate paste is pure lead and that of the positive lead oxide. Nominal voltage is 2.0 volts per cell. |
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Lithium battery |
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A primary battery, chemical system varies depending on application. Common chemistries include: 1) Lithium Manganese Dioxide (Li/MnO2), nominal voltage 3.0 volts per cell; 2) Lithium Iron Disulfide (Li/FeS2), nominal voltage 1.5v per cell; 3) Lithium Thionyl Chloride (Li/SOCl2), nominal voltage 3.6v per cell. Typical cell construction is a lithium anode, cathode varies, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. |
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Lithium - Ion battery |
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A secondary battery. Typical cell construction is a carbon-based anode (usually graphite), a lithium Manganese oxide catthode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. Nominal voltage is 3.6 volts per cell. |
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Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery |
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A secondary battery, chemical system is nickel-metal hydride. Typical cell construction is a metal hydride (metallic alloy) anode, nickel cathode, and an alkaline electrolyte, usually potassium hydroxide. Nominal voltage is 1.25v per cell. |
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Silver-Oxide battery |
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A primary battery, chemical system is Zinc-Silver Oxide (ZN/AG2O). Typical cell construction is a zinc anode, silver oxide cathode, and a sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide electrolyte. Nominal voltage is 1.6 volts per cell. |
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SLA battery |
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Sealed lead-acid battery, usually having the following characteristics: leak proof, maintenance-free, position insensitive. 'Gel' cells are SLA batteries in which the dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte is immobilized into a gel. 'AGM' cells,or Absorbed Glass Mat are SLA batteries that use a woven glass fiber cloth to immobilize the electrolyte, thus making them spill-proof. SLA batteries are also known as 'Valve regulated batteries' because of the built-in safety valve to release gas in the case of excessive internal pressure build-up. |
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Zinc-Air battery |
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A primary battery, chemical system is Zinc-Oxygen (Zn/O2). Typical cell construction is zinc anode, catalyzed carbon cathode, and potassium hydroxide electrolyte. Zn-Air batteries must have access to air (oxygen) to initiate and maintain the electrochemical reaction. A hole or holes in the battery container allows oxygen into the battery. Nominal voltage is 1.4 volts per cell. |
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Capacity (Battery) |
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The quantity of electricity available from a battery under specified conditions. Usually expressed in Amp-Hours (AH) or milliamp-hours (mAH). |
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Rated Capacity |
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The manufacturer's stated discharge capacity of a battery at given discharge rate and temperature. |
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Cathode |
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The negative (-) terminal of an electrolytic cell or battery. The cathode is the positive electrode, or the electrode that is reduced (gains electrons) by the electrochemical reaction. |
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Cell |
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The basic galvanic unit which generates electricity by chemical action. Typical construction consists of two electrodes of dissimilar materials electrically isolated from each other, in a common ionically conductive electrolyte. The chemical reaction occurs between positive or negative plates (electrodes) and a surrounding electrolyte. |
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Primary Cell |
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A cell or battery that can be discharged only once (irreversible chemical reaction). |
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Secondary Cell |
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A cell or battery that can be discharged and charged repeatedly (reversible chemical reaction). |
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Cylindrical Cell |
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A cell or battery whose positive and negative plates are rolled into a cylindrical shape. |
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Prismatic Cell |
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A cell or battery whose positive and negative plates are stacked flat. |
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Cell Reversal |
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The process of driving a cell into reverse polarity by excessive/deep discharge. |
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Charge |
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The conversion of electrical energy into chemical energy by passage of a direct current through a battery in the opposite direction to that of discharge. The process of restoring electrical energy to a cell or battery. |
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Float Charge |
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A constant voltage applied to a battery to maintain capacity and compensate for self-discharge. |
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Collector |
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In a battery, the part of the cell that conducts electricity from the electrode to the outside of the cell. |
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Coulomb |
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The amount of electric charge equal to the quantity of electricity transferred by a current of one ampere in one second. |
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Current |
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The flow of an electric charge. |
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Direct Current |
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An electric current flowing in one direction only. Also DC. Batteries produce direct current. |
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Alternating Current |
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An electric current that reverses its direction at regular time intervals. |
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Cycle-Life |
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The number of charge/discharge cycles available from a secondary battery under specified conditions, before it loses a specified percentage of its original capacity. |
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Discharge |
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The conversion of chemical energy in battery into electrical energy. The process of drawing current from a battery. |
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Deep Discharge |
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The discharge of a battery to 80% or more of its rated capacity. |
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Depth of Discharge (DOD) |
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The amount of a battery capacity, usually expressed as a percentage, removed during discharge. |
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Self Discharge |
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The loss of battery capacity when not in use or in storage. |
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Electrode |
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The positive or negative plate that contains materials capable of reacting with an electrolyte to emit or collect electrons (produce current). |
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Electrolyte |
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The material in which current is carried between the positive and negative plates of a cell by movement of ions. |
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Energy |
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Usable power. In batteries, usually expressed in watt-hours (Wh). |
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Energy Density |
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The ratio of battery energy to its volume or weight. |
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Gas Recombination |
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The process by which gas generated at one electrode is recombined (absorbed) at the opposite electrode. Usually occurs during the charging process of rechargeable batteries. |
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Impedence |
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The opposition exhibited by a battery to the flow of an alternating current at a particular frequency, usually expressed in Ohms. Impedance is a result of resistance and reactance (capacitance and/or inductacnce). |
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Internal Resistance |
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The opposition inside a battery to the flow of direct current. Internal resistance creates voltage drop in proportion to the current flow/drain. |
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Load |
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The effective resistance of a device or circuit connected across a battery's terminals, which results in current being drawn from the battery. |
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Midpoint Voltage |
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Battery voltage at which half of its available capacity has been delivered/discharged. |
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Nominal Voltage |
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The designated value of the rated voltage of a battery; may vary from the actual. |
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Ohm |
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The measurement unit of electic resistance equal to the resistance that causes one volt produce a current of one ampere. |
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Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) |
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The voltage of a battery or cell in a no-load condition (circuit is open). |
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Parallel Connection |
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A group of batteries or cells in which all terminal of the same polarity ar connected, thereby increasing the total capacity of the battery group. |
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Rechargeable Battery |
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A battery that is capable of being recharged by passage of an electrical current in the opposite direction to that of discharge. See Secondary Cell. |
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Separator |
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A electrically non-conductive material that isolates the positive and negative electrodes in a cell. |
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Series Connection |
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A group of batteries or cells in which all terminal of the opposite polarity are connected, thereby increasing the total voltage of the battery group. |
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State of Charge (SOC) |
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The available capacity of a battery, at a given point in time, expressed as a percentage of rated capacity. |
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Thermal Runaway |
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A condition in which a cell or battery under charge can destroy itself through excessive internal heat generation. |
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Voltage |
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The measurement unit of electrical potential difference (force) between two points expressed in volts. One volt is equal to the electrical potential difference across a resistance of one ohm when one ampere is flowing through it. |
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Watt |
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The measurement unit of power. One watt is equal to the work represented by a current of one ampere at an electrical pressure of one volt. |
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