| Active Material |
The chemically reactive material at the positive or negative electrode that engages in the charge and discharge reactions. |
| Ampere Hours (Ah) |
The number of minutes a battery can maintain a useful voltage under a specified load. |
| Anode |
An electrode through which electric current flows into a polarized electrical device. |
| Battery |
One or more cells connected to form one unit supplying voltage and having provisions for external connections. Batteries produce electrons through chemical reactions. |
| Capacity |
The ability of the battery or cell to supply current. |
| Cathode |
An electrode through which electric current flows out of a polarized electrical device. |
| Cell |
Electrochemical device capable of storing electrical energy. |
| Cell Jar / Cell Case |
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 |
Batteries that can be mounted in any position because they are completely sealed & won't leak acid. Most of these bare either AGM (absorbed glass mat) or Gel type batteries. |
| Duty Cycle |
The use pattern for a battery including charge, overcharge, rest and discharge. |
| Electrodes |
An electrical conductor used to make contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit (e.g. a semiconductor, an electrolyte or a vacuum. |
| Electrolyte |
Any substance containing free ions that behaves as an electrically conductive medium, usually when in a solution. Because they generally consist of ions in solution, electrolytes are also known as ionic solutions, but molten electrolytes and solid electrolytes are also possible. |
| Energy Density |
A term used for the amount of energy stored in a given system or region of space per unit, volume, or mass. |
| Float |
Maintaining a battery on a continuous, long-term charge, normally for batteries that sit unused for longer periods. |
| Flooded Cell |
A cell where the electrodes are immersed in a pool of electrolyte. |
| Gas Recombination |
Recycling gases formed within the cell rather then venting them to the atmosphere. This mainly pertains to sealed lead acid battery. |
| Leclanché Cell |
A French electrical engineer chiefly remembered for his invention of the Leclanché cell, one of the first modern electrical batteries and the forerunner of the modern dry cell battery. |
| Life |
The length of acceptable performance received from a battery, measured in years or in charge/discharge cycles. |
| Maintenance-Free Battery |
A battery that where no electrolytes can be added. |
| 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 |
Describes the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state by a molecule, atom or ion. |
| Parallel |
Interconnecting cells or batteries by joining all like terminals which doubles battery amp hours/run time & cca (cold cranking amps). |
| Plates |
Lead plates used within a battery to hold a charge. |
| Primary Cell |
Is any kind of electrochemical cell in which the electrochemical reaction is not reversible. A common example of a primary cell is the disposable battery. |
| Reduction |
Part of a reduction-oxidation (redox) reaction in which atoms have their oxidation number (oxidation state) changed. |
| Reserve Capacity |
The capacity of a battery, measured in minutes, to keep a vehicle operating if the charging system fails. |
| Sealed Cell |
A cell where all reactants are retained within the container. May contain a vent for release during abusive overcharge. |
| Secondary Battery |
A backup or spare battery used to replace the primary battery when discharged. |
| Self-Discharge |
Is a phenomenon in batteries in which internal chemical reactions reduce the stored charge of the battery without any connection between the electrodes. Self-discharge decreases the shelf-life of batteries and causes them to have less charge than expected when actually put to use. |
| 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, which doubles the battery voltage. |
| Wound |
Interior cell construction in which plates are coiled inside. |
