Batteries

Prepared by Dip Trivedi

Introduction

The device which is capable of carrying out conversions : - Electrical energy to Chemical energy or - Chemical energy to Electrical energy is called cell. It provides EMF by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. Two metal plates of different materials immersed in a suitable solution. The plates are called electrodes and the solution is called electrolyte. The magnitude of EMF of the cell depends upon the nature of both electrodes and electrolytes. The size and spacing of the plates do not affect the EMF of the cell.

The capacity of cell depends on the size of the plates and their spacing. If the size of plate is increased, the cell will deliver current for a longer period.

Batteries

The combination of two or more cells is called a Batteries. Some time, a single cell is also called Battery.

Grouping of cells:

The EMF of a single cell is very small about 1.2 to 2 Volt. As per requirement, number of cells are suitably connected. This is known as Grouping of cells.

Types of Grouping
1. 2. 3.

Series Grouping Parallel Grouping Mixed Grouping

Series Grouping Positive terminal of one cell is connected to the negative terminal of the next, is called a series connected battery. The voltage of this type of battery is the sum of a individual cell voltages.

Parallel Grouping

Connect the negative terminal from one cell to the negative of the next cell Connect the positive terminal to the positive terminal, is parallel connected. Voltage remains constant and the current is cumulative.

Mixed Grouping

This is the combination of series and parallel circuits.

Rating of Battery
1.

Two types of ratings are there for battery: AH- Ampere Hour rating This is the capacity of battery AH= (Current).(Time) WH- Watt Hour rating WH= (AH).(Average Discharging Voltage)

2.

Efficiency of Battery

Efficiency of the battery is expressed by the ratio of the output to the input.

1. Ampere-Hour Efficiency= (Id.td)/(Ic.tc)

2. Watt-Hour Efficiency= (Vd.Id.td)/(Vc.Ic.tc)

This is also known as the energy Efficiency

Charging Methods

1.
2. 3. 1. 2. 3.

For charging a battery, DC supply is required. DC supply can be obtained from: DC Motor Generator Rectifier Battery charger Different Methods of charging the battery are: Constant current method Constant Voltage method Modified constant voltage method

Constant Current Method

Disadvantages of this methods: Long charging time The battery chargers voltage rating must be high. Circuit may be interrupted during removing battery

Constant Voltage method

This method is faster compared to the constant current method.

Modified constant voltage method

Resistance is used to limit initial high current. This method is faster compared to the constant current method. Parallel batteries can be charged without interruption.

Types of charging
Initial charging 2. Normal charging 3. Float charging 4. Trickle charging Initial charging: For new battery The voltage and specific gravity of the battery are measured after every two hours. No change between two reading, shows full charge of battery.
1.

Normal charging: When after normal use a battery is recharged, it is called normal or routine charging. If water level is decreased then distilled water should be added. Float charging: The battery is charged and discharged simultaneously. This is preferred for old batteries.

Trickle charging: This type of charging is used to keep the battery in fully charged condition. Batteries are connected to bus bar at required voltage. The rate of charging is very low. Charging current= 0.2% of normal charging current. This will keep the battery in fully charged condition at all time.

Polarization: When current flows in electrolyte positive and negative ions are generated. Positive ions towards cathode Negative ions towards anode Gassing: When a cell is fully charged it emits H at cathode and O at anode. This causes loss of water in battery. This is known as Gassing.

Topping: Distilled water is added to bring the electrolyte to the required level. Some time the electrolyte of the same specific gravity, is added to increase electrolyte level. Sedimentation: During charging and discharging process particle from the positive active material fall and deposit at the bottom of the cell. This is called Sedimentation. So short circuit may occur.

Buckling of plates Short circuit of cells - Sulphation - Sedimentation - Buckling

Battery capacity / battery life Indicates the amount of electricity which a battery can supply at the specified discharge rate, till its voltage falls to a specified value Battery capacity = ID x TD (Ah) where ID = discharge current in amperes TD= time of discharge

Battery capacity Discharge rate : as rate of discharge increases, the Battery capacity decreases Specific gravity of electrolyte: more is the Specific gravity of electrolyte, more is the Battery capacity as it decides internal resistance of the battery Temperature : as T increases, Battery capacity increases Size of the plates : this is related to the amount of active material present in the battery

Types of cables Based on the voltage level for which it is manufactured , Conducting and insulating material (such as paper, cotton, rubber, etc) Low tension cables (L.T. cables) Medium and high tension cables (H.T. cables)