22 | Battery 

1.0 Battery

1.1  Definition  

Battery basically is using chemical to produce electricity by method of electro-chemical reactions or electromotive force.  

Supply type produced by battery is Direct Current  known as DC.

1.2   History of battery

It was discovered by another Italian named Alessandro Volta, whom the battery was named after, in 1800. 

1.3   Hazard 


Obey signage as described below.

2.0  Battery Cell

Types of battery commonly applies in electrical system or equipment.

Modern batteries to learn more click here

2.1  Types of primary cell

2.2   Types of secondary cell

2.3  Conventional voltage flow

Basically, the voltage flow of battery is positive (+ve) to negative (-ve). 

2.4  Electron or current flow

However according to Benjamin Franklin, the current flow is from negative (-ve) to positive (+ve).

            (Figure 1)                                                 (Figure 2)

Figure battery operating behavior

2.5  Battery Construction 

Basic component:

Figure above typical liquid cell.  

(For reference)

3.0  Liquid cell

A wet-cell battery is the original type of rechargeable battery. This solution modifies the molecules in electrolytes, ferrocene and viologen to make them stable, water-soluble, and stop them degrading over time. Types of liquid electrolyte  (or battery water).

3.1   How liquid battery works?

When copper and zinc are placed into an electrolyte solution like dilute sulfuric acid or saline solution, the copper atoms barely break down at all, but the zinc atoms break down and electrons flow out. So the copper becomes a positive (+) pole and the zinc a negative (-) pole, and when the two are joined by a conductor, electricity flows from the copper to the zinc. This is the Volta battery, which forms the basis for modern chemical batteries. It was discovered by another Italian named Alessandro Volta, whom the battery was named after, in 1800. 

3.2  Liquid cell example

4.0  Dry Cell 

A dry cell is a type of electric battery, commonly used for portable electrical devices after development of wet zinc–carbon batteries by Georges Leclanché in 1866. The modern version was developed by Japanese Sakizō Yai in 1887. 

4.1  Dry Cell History 

It was developed in 1886 by the German scientist Carl Gassner, he invented a battery where there was no risk of the solution spilling. Because the battery would not spill even though it contained a liquid, Gassner’s invention became known as the “dry cell” or “dry battery.”  In 1900, the great inventor Thomas Edison who was also known to commercialize filament lamps invented nickel-iron storage battery. It is called Edison battery. 

4.2   Dry type example

A dry cell uses a paste electrolyte, with only enough moisture to allow current to flow.  

5.0 Charging System

Basically there a many methods when comes to charging a battery cells, the most widely use methods are: 

a.   Voltage charging   

b.   Current charging   

5.1  Voltage charging 

- suitable for wet cell type 

Voltage refers to the stability of charging speed for a charger. The charger works by applying slightly higher voltage to battery cell.  


5.2  Current charging 

- suitable for dry cell type 

Constant voltage / constant current (CVCC) is a combination of the above two methods. The charger limits the amount of current to a pre-set level until the battery reaches a pre-set voltage level. The current then reduces as the battery becomes fully charged.

Battery  Effects or Damaged 

The following conditions were a battery may suffers damage. 

Today recommend battery

Brand:  Panasonic Evolta    - best for electronics measurements such as multi-meter, meggar, clamp meter and it improve technology that prevents battery leakage.

Battery Formula

Battery Internal Resistance 

This where when battery are not used or charge constantly, may creates 

 


Formula:  Internal Resistance

Ri =  Vd ÷ IL


Where

Ri     internal resistance 

Vd   voltage drop 

IL       load current



Example:

          Ri =  Vd ÷ IL

                    =   1.5 ÷ 2A  = 0.75 Ω

 


Formula:  Internal Resistance

𝑉𝑑÷𝑉𝑜=𝑅𝑖 ÷ (𝑅𝑖+𝑅𝐿)


Where

Vd   voltage drop 

Vo   voltage open circuit 

RL       load resistance connected

Ri     internal resistance 

Example:

2.    The open circuit voltage of a lead acid battery is 12 volt. When a 50Ω load is connected to the terminal voltage, it reads 10 volts. Find the internal resistance of the battery (Ri)?

VD = VO VL             VD = 12v – 10v = 2v

 

𝑉𝑑÷𝑉𝑜 =𝑅𝑖÷(𝑅𝑖+𝑅𝐿)


2𝑣÷12𝑣 =𝑅𝑖÷(𝑅𝑖+50Ω)

2v(Ri+50Ω) = 12 Ri

2Ri + 100Ω = 12 Ri

100Ω = 12v Ri – 2v Ri

100Ω = 10v Ri


Ri = 100Ω ÷ 10v  

Ri = 10Ω

Battery Capacity 

Battery capacity (AH) is defined as a product of the current that is drawn from the battery while the battery is able to supply the load until its voltage is dropped to lower than a certain value for each cell.

Battery capacity is measured in milliamps × hours (mAH). For example, if a battery has 250 mAH capacity and provides 2 mA average current to a load, in theory, the battery will last 125 hours. 

Since battery capacity and performance is reduced by low temperature, a minimum electrolyte temperature of 5°C is maintained as a general rule. 


Formula: 

C (ampere hours)  = I (current) x t  (time in hours)

2.   To find current,    I = C ÷ t

3.  To find discharge time,    t = C ÷ I


Series connected battery

When two or more batteries are connected in series together, their voltages and resistances are added together. 

Benefits:

Parallel connected battery

When more battery are connected in parallel the effects are better in terms of current and voltage stability. 

Benefits:

Battery connected in series will cause its battery voltage increased but the currents remains same.

Battery in parallel  voltage is same but this will help increase battery current. However the dc cable size use in this configuration must be bigger.

Battery Maintenance

Important of battery maintenance is to avoid battery damage or fire risk hazards.

For more information or references visit link below.