TYPES OF BATTERIES

What is a Battery?

A battery is a device that holds electrical energy in the form of chemicals. With the help of an electrochemical reaction, it converts stored chemical energy into direct current (DC) electrical energy.

The electrochemical reaction in a battery is carried out by moving electrons from one material to another (called electrodes) using an electric current. The first battery was invented in 1800 by Italian physicist Alessandro Volta.

Whether you are an engineer or not, you must have seen at least two different types of batteries that is small batteries and larger batteries. Smaller batteries are used in devices such as watches, alarms, or smoke detectors, while applications such as cars, trucks, or motorcycles, use relatively large rechargeable batteries.

Batteries have become a significant source of energy over the past decade. Moreover, batteries are available in different types and sizes as per their applications. So we will discuss different types of batteries and their uses, so let’s get started.

How Does A Battery Work?

The battery produces electrical energy on demand by using the terminals or electrodes of the battery. The positive terminal is located on the top of the battery which is used for customer interests such as flashlights and electronics.

The outer case or bottom of the battery is commonly referred to as the negative terminals. Both terminals are very common in all types of batteries. The chemicals that surround these terminals and the battery together form the power cell.

The power cell generates energy whenever the positive and negative terminals are connected to an electrical circuit. For example, the metal part in the flashlight case and the device is on. The chemicals inside the cell (alkaline or lithium) begin a reaction to produce the ions and electrons that power anything attached to the battery.

Classification of Batteries

Primary battery
Secondary battery

#1 Primary Battery

A primary battery is a simple and convenient source of electricity for many portable electronic devices such as lights, cameras, watches, toys, radios, etc. These types of batteries cannot be recharged once they are exhausted. They are composed of electrochemical cells whose electrochemical reactions cannot be reversed.

Generally, primary batteries are relatively inexpensive, lightweight, and convenient to use, with little or no maintenance. Primary batteries exist in many sizes and forms, ranging from coin cells to AA batteries. These are commonly seen in applications like pacemakers, animal trackers, wristwatches, remote controls, children’s toys, etc.

#2 Secondary Battery

Secondary batteries use electrochemical cells whose chemical reactions can be reversed by applying a certain voltage to the battery. It is also known as a rechargeable battery because it can be recharged after the battery’s energy is depleted. They are used as inverters for power supply as well as standalone power sources.

They are also used where it would be too expensive or impractical to use a single charged battery. Small-capacity secondary batteries are used in portable devices such as mobile phones, while heavy-duty batteries are found in electric vehicles and other high-drain applications.