Absorption Voltage: voltage applied to the battery during the absorption
phase of the recharge cycle.
Accumulator: a battery capable of repeated charge-discharge cycles,
based on reversible chemical reactions. The discharge energy may be restored
by supplying electrical current to recharge the cell.
Active Material: the chemically reactive material at the positive
or negative Electrode that engages in the charge and discharge reactions.
Ampere-Hours: measure of cell capacity. Product of current in amperes
multiplied by the discharge time in hours.
Anode: an Electrode at which an oxidation reaction occurs. In secondary
cells, either Electrode may become the anode, depending upon direction
of current flow. The negative Electrode is the anode on discharge, the
positive is on charge.
Battery: one or more cells connected to form one unit and having
provisions for external connections.
Capacity: the ability of the battery or cell to supply current to
an external circuit.
The total amount of energy in Watt-Hours (or assuming constant battery
voltage in Ampere-Hours) that can be taken from the battery.
Cathode an Electrode at which a reduction reaction occurs. The positive
Electrode is the cathode on discharge and the negative is the cathode on
charge.
Cell: electrochemical device capable of storing electrical energy.
Charge (Current) Collector: the structure within the Electrode that
provides a current path to/from the active material.
Cycle: in a rechargeable battery a Cycle consists of a charge followed
by a discharge.
Dry-Cell Battery: a Leclanché carbon-zinc cell (not rechargeable!).
Duty Cycle: the use pattern for a battery including charge, overcharge,
rest and discharge.
Electrodes: parts of the cell where the electrochemical reaction
occurs. The Electrodes normally consist of the active material and the
current collector.
Electrolyte: the medium for movement of ions within the cell.
Energy Density: the energy stored in a cell or battery as a function
of the weight or volume.
Float Charging: maintaining a rechargeable battery on a continuous,
long-term charge, normally for use as a power backup.
Flooded Cell: a cell where the Electrodes are immersed in a pool
of Electrolyte.
Gas Recombination: recycling gases formed within the cell back into
the Electrolyte rather than releasing them to the atmosphere.
Leclanché Cell: carbon-zinc primary cell.
Battery Lifetime: the length of acceptable performance received
from a battery, measured in years or in charge/discharge cycles.
Maintenance-Free Battery: a flooded battery that contains excess
Electrolyte and thus does not require addition of water.
Open-Circuit Voltage: voltage of a battery with no load applied
to it.
Operating Voltage: voltage of a battery under load.
Overcharge: the application of charge current after the battery
has reached full charge.
Oxidation: the release of electrons by the cells active material
to the external circuit.
Plates: common term for Electrodes.
Primary Cell: a non-rechargeable cell designed to be used only once,
then discarded.
Rechargeable Battery: a battery capable of repeated charge-discharge
cycles, based on reversible chemical reactions. The discharge energy may
be restored by supplying electrical current to recharge the cell.
Reduction: the gain of electrons. In a cel1, refers to the inward
flow of electrons to the active material.
Sealed Cell: a cell where all reactants are retained within the
container. May contain a valve for release during abusive overcharge.
Secondary Battery: a battery capable of repeated charge-discharge
cycles, based on reversible chemical reactions. The discharge energy may
be restored by supplying electrical current to recharge the cell.
Self-Discharge: the spontaneous transition of active materials from
the charged to discharged state with no external load connected.
Separator: material which provides separation and electrical insulation
between plates of opposite polarity.
Watt-Hours: measure for Energy that is taken from or loaded in the
battery.