| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Cell Jar |
The vessel holding the cell components. |
| Charge 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. |
| Duty Cycle |
The use pattern for a battery including charge, overcharge, rest and discharge. |
| Electrodes |
Parts of the cell where the electrochemical reaction occurs. They 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 |
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 rather than venting them to the atmosphere. |
| Leclanché Cell |
Carbon-zinc primary cell. |
| Life |
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. |
| Parallel |
Interconnecting cells or batteries by joining all like terminals. |
| Plates |
Common term for electrodes. |
| Primary Cell |
A cell designed to be used only once, then discarded. |
| 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 vent for release during abusive overcharge. |
| Secondary Battery |
A battery capable of repeated use because it uses chemical reactions that are reversible-, i.e., 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. |
| Separator |
Material which provides separation and electrical insulation between plates of opposite polarity. |
| Series |
Interconnecting cells or batteries by connecting the positive terminal of one unit to the negative terminal of the next. |
| Wound |
Interior cell construction in which plates are coiled into a spiral. |
