Electricity is crucial in the modern world. Variety of things we use in our everyday lives created the market for many different types of batteries. There are four most popular kinds. What are they and why are there so many?
Lead-acid battery
Lead-acid battery is the first rechargeable battery ever created. Its over 160 years old and still very much in demand today. This type of battery is commonly used in the automotive sector. They are used in cars to start the engine, but can also power a small electric vehicle, such as golf car, or even work as stationary batteries. They are also great batteries for forklift.
They are relatively cheap and very powerful, however, not very eco-friendly. They need to be disposed properly, never just thrown out!
Li-ion battery
Currently the most common type of rechargeable battery is the Lithium-Ion. We all carry them around in our pockets in our everyday lives. Yes, these are the ones used in smartphones. But thats not the only use. There are more, such as Li-Ion stationary batteries.
They have a lot of pros:
- they hold a charge longer than any other type,
- theyre light,
- they put out a very high voltage,
- they last for a long time.
Unfortunately, there are also some cons. The biggest one is that they contain a flammable electrolyte, and some have been known to cause fires.
NiCd batteries
Nickel-Cadmium battery is another old choice. They are ideal for high-drain devices, due to their ability to supply a very high electrical current. They cant hold a charge for very long, though. Thats why they arent very common anymore. On the bright side, they can be also charged very quickly. As a result, they are still popular today, and used in a number of equipment, such as portable power tools or medical devices – all kinds of stuff that are used in short periods of time and can be recharged in between uses.
Another plus is that they last for extremely long periods of time and are very durable.
NiMH battery
Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries are basically improved versions of the Nickel-Cadmium ones. They can work in high-drain devices just as good, while having better capacity. NiMH batteries are also more eco-friendly. Unfortunately, there are also some drawbacks. They quickly lose energy while not in use. They also have a shorter lifespan than the NiCd ones. This doesnt matter that it is short, though, just shorter.
Why are there so many types of rechargeable batteries?
There are more battery types, such as:
- Nickel-Zinc,
- Alkaline,
- Lithium-Ion Polymer.
They are less popular, though.
The large number of battery types exist due to the need to meet different needs. Batteries for forklift need to be a little different from those used in wristwatches. Different batteries will work satisfactorily in a phone, others in a passenger car.
Many types of rechargeable batteries were created to suit your needs, so choose the one that works best for you – check out european producer Bater!
