Comparison Of Secondary Batteries

6 October 2014

Comparison Of Secondary Batteries

There has been an evolution in batteries, and people are opting for rechargeable batteries, which are more reliable, and happen to be the most used batteries currently. These batteries are very vital to the daily chores, given the fact that they help to power most of the used devices.

The Differentiating Factor

There are many batteries on the market, but every battery type is different on its own. Some of the points that distinguish every type of battery include the following:
• Specific energy.
• Load features.
• Maintenance conditions.
• Disposal.
• Safety.
• Price.
• Service life years.
• Self-discharge, and
• Environmental factors.
These are the aspects that are mostly concentrated on, when comparing comparison of secondary batteries.

Battery System, Their Features And Application
Here are the common system of batteries used, which have features that are unique in their own way.

Lead Acid Battery
This is one of the primary battery systems that are rechargeable. These batteries are rugged, they tend to be lenient, if they are used in the wrong way, and they are affordable and economical. However, the batteries have a restrained cycle life and a low specific energy. They are mostly used in electric golf cars, wheelchairs, emergency lighting, uninterruptible power supply – UPS and personnel carriers.

Nickel-cadmium – NiCd
These battery systems are used in areas or equipments that need long life of service. With the NiCd batteries, they have a high discharge current, they are economical and affordable, and work perfectly even in extreme temperatures. They are mostly used in 2-way radios, power tools, UPS and aircrafts.

Nickel-metal-hydride – NiMH
These are the alternatives of NiCd, and they have a higher specific energy, but with less toxic metals, which makes them safer and more reliable. They are used in hybrid vehicles, medical equipments and other industrial equipments. They also come in standard consumer size, AAA and AA.

Lithium-ion – Li-ion
This is relatively the most reliable battery system a that is the most used in the mobile devices. They are also used in vehicles as a Powertrain. Though they are more expensive, compared to the lead and nickel-based batteries, they are safer as they have a protection circuit. They are divided into phosphate, manganese and cobalt cathode oxide types.
• Lithium Cobalt: They have a higher specific energy, a moderate service life and average load features. They are used on cell phones, digital camera, laptops and wearable gadgets.
• Lithium Manganese: These have high charge and discharge aspects, a moderate service life, but a lower specific energy. They are used in medical equipments, power tools or electric Powertrains.
• Lithium Phosphate: These have a voltage of 3.3V per cell, a longer cycle life and it is safe enough. It is more self-charging compared to other Lithium-ion battery systems.

Lithium Polymer is also a part of the Lithium-based batteries. However, the polymer is not a cathode oxide feature, but it is based on the architecture and it needs an advanced development to control the growth of the dendrites.

Every battery system has a different working mechanism, and their features are the main issue in the comparison of secondary batteries. They work differently, and for that, they are applied in different equipments, or settings. All in all, they have been incorporated with the new technology in order to offer reliability to the user.