Battery Types

All electronics and electrical appliances need a constant power source to operate. However, we use mains (110/220V) to power up our devices, but that is not always the case. Many handheld devices or equipment that need to operate remotely are powered using a DC source provided by a battery. In some cases, we also use an inverter to convert the DC power into AC to operate our AC-compatible equipment. Many different kinds of batteries are being used in industry and for domestic purposes and are application-specific. They may differ in their composition, size, power rating, number of discharge cycles, and price. There are two main categories in which batteries are classified. The primary type is single-use batteries, which are disposed of after usage. AAA battery cells are a common example of the primary category. The other group is the secondary type, batteries rechargeable up to a certain number of cycles and are preferred for modern electronics usage. Mobile batteries are a common example.

Some commonly known battery types are listed below, along with their usage, features, and some pros and cons:

Lead Acid Batteries are heavy-duty and are mainly used for applications that require high DC current. They are commonly found in vehicles, backups at offices and hospitals, and for UPS. Their composition consists of positively and negatively charged plates submerged in a sulphuric acid solution. They are heavy, so they are used in applications where weight isn’t a concern. They need constant maintenance and are costly.

 

Lithium-ion batteries became popular with mobile and handheld devices due to their rechargeable feature and longevity. As the name suggests, they make use of lithium-ion to transfer charge. A highly useful feature of lithium-ion batteries is the low self-discharge rate compared to lead-acid or nickel-cadmium batteries. Their small flat size and low weight make them a preferable choice in the secondary category. One precaution that needs to be considered is to avoid exposing these units to high temperatures, which could lead to a permanent or temporary loss in charging capacity.

Nickel-cadmium batteries are preferred for their good life cycle, and they are recommended for applications where a device may remain non-operational since these devices can retain voltage and current levels when not in use. One disadvantage is that if a unit is not completely depleted of charge and is recharged, it leads to the battery's loss of capacity. This effect is known as the dreaded memory effect.

Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries, another category of secondary batteries, are known for their rechargeable configuration. These have a relatively higher energy density than Ni-Cd batteries, but the recharge cycle is reduced to Li-ion or Ni-Cd batteries. They also tend to discharge very fast compared to other battery unit types.

Some other types, like alkaline batteries, lithium polymer, and lithium-ion polymer batteries, are available on the market and are somewhat similar in functionality and cost, with some minor differences in charge and discharge rate.