Battery types: Many of the appliances, devices and machines require power sources to function. Learn about the different kinds of batteries and what they are for.
Currently, you can get various types of batteries on the market, from very small to extensive options, with a lot of capacity. It all depends on what artifact, device or vehicle they power. We tell you what the options are and what they are for.
When buying a battery, you should take into account some aspects that will help you choose well. Understand what a battery is, how many types of batteries exist, and what they are used for.
Also, understand issues related to the operation, its components and their levels of autonomy. Let’s see what the most popular options are.
What is a Battery?
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The battery or cell, also known as accumulators, are devices capable of generating electrical energy from chemical reactions inside.
They are composed of a series of lead plates immersed in electrolytes. Its external structure is based on two electrodes (anode and cathode) that, depending on their location, we will speak of cell or battery.
What is a battery for? To power the most various electrical circuits. So there are different types, sizes and capacities.
How Does a Battery Work?
It is essential to understand the operation of a battery to understand how the power supply of some machines or devices is produced.
Let’s start by explaining that they are made up of cells stacked or arranged, one behind or on top of another and that they are like boxes that, internally, have two electrodes immersed in an electrolyte.
Chemical reactions occur between these two electrodes that generate the necessary voltage to meet the energy demand.
The internal communication of the electrodes towards the outer part of the battery occurs through the terminals, which are the ones that supply the energy to the electrical system that sees it to be used.
Battery Types
Types of batteries according to their use
Batteries vary according to their use or purpose. There are different sizes, with less or greater load capacity and with more straightforward and more complex structures.
Cell Phone Batteries
Batteries have become crucial in cell phones, especially smartphones that are very energy demanding due to their multiple functionalities. The most used are:
1. Lithium Battery or Li-ion Technology
these are the ones used by most electronic devices today, such as smartphones, laptops, cameras and even game consoles.
It banished the “memory effect” problem, which was common in its predecessors and made you have to wait for the battery to discharge completely before charging it because it was crystallizing internally.
The amount of charge it could store was reduced. In addition, they provide a longer useful life to our electronic devices and are more compact and lightweight.
2. Lithium Polymer Batteries
they are an evolution of Li-Ion batteries and offer the advantage of storing the same amount of charge but in a smaller space.
They are much more flexible in terms of handling. The Li-Po nomenclature will represent it.
Battery Classes
The battery is a type of battery that, in general, has an irreversible process of transformation. This means that when downloaded, it cannot be reloaded.
Another characteristic of batteries is that their charge can last for months or years if they are used little.
1. Alkaline Battery
it is composed of zinc and manganese dioxide that, through their chemical reaction, generates electricity. In general, it is not rechargeable.
Its useful life is estimated in years, but it depends a lot on the use that is given to it. They are usually inexpensive but are not easy to recycle, thus affecting the environment.
2. AA Battery
it can be made of different materials depending on its use. There are alkaline batteries, saline batteries, and lithium batteries. They are 50mm long and 14mm in diameter.
The alkaline has the code LR, and the saline has the code R. The average voltage of both is 1.5 V. The lithium one can be rechargeable, depending on its composition.
Their voltage is 3.6 V. They have three times the capacity of a AAA battery.
3. AAA Battery
its structure is based on a single cell. It measures 44.5mm in length and 10.5mm in diameter. Its voltage is 1.5 volts.
They are commonly used in remote controls, MP3 players, and digital cameras. Its most significant advantage lies in size.
4. Rechargeable Battery
it is a good alternative for devices that demand a lot of charges, such as digital cameras. As a prominent feature, it has a longer service life and generates less waste and pollution.
It is made with various chemical components. They usually come with a charger.
Batteries for Motorcycles, Cars and Trucks
In the segment of batteries for cars, motorcycles and trucks, we find a wide range of options in terms of size, weight, design and performance.
In general terms, we can say that they work similarly to those we describe but have very different characteristics about load and power capacity.
How many types of car batteries are there? Various. But we list the most important:
1. Wet Cell Battery
It is the most common car battery for its low cost. Prices vary by amperage and brand. It works with lead plates suspended in sulfuric acid.
The important thing about this battery is that it does not require maintenance. Its life cycle is between 4 and 5 years.
2. Calcium Battery
it works similar to that of a wet cell, with the difference that the latter has a calcium alloy on its plates.
The purpose of this is to prevent corrosion and excessive fluid loss. They have a longer useful life but require maintenance from time to time.
3. VRLA Battery (AGM and GEL)
it is made up of pressurized safety valves, which are located in the internal part to avoid the loss of liquid.
AGM or “dry” uses fibreglass to separate electrolytes, resulting in little internal resistance. They are high-power batteries, which is why they are handy for starting engines.
Those made of GEL work with silicone that densifies the acid, and their use is particular for electrical equipment since they withstand deep discharges very well.
4. Lithium-Ion Battery
it uses lithium salt for its operation and has a circuit that protects it from overloads. It has excellent autonomy, and its weight is light compared to the rest. It is used a lot for high-end cars or electric cars.
5. Battery for Diesel Cars
it differs in some respects from standard car batteries because this type of car demands more power.
In general, it is recommended that the amperage is 70 Ah minimum for it to work without problems. It is designed to deliver high currents in short time intervals.