Batteries are standardized by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). The former American ANSI terminology (A, AA, AAA) is now used only for size designations.
Rechargeable Batteries
NiCAD Batteries (Nickel Cadmium)
The NiCAD battery is around since the 1950s, it is used where long life, high discharge rate and economical prices are important. NiCad batteries have a low internal resistance and can provide a relatively high instantaneous amperage. They also have a slower self discharge rate. For NiCad batteries the self discharge time can be three times as long as for a NiMH battery (three months to one month).
NiMH Batteries (Nickel Metal Hydride)
NiMH batteries provide incremental improvements in capacity over the NICAD batteries at the expense of a reduced cycle life and lower load current. They also have no, or only a very small memory effect. That means these batteries can be charged without discharging.
NICAD | NiMH | |
Energy Density (Wh/kg) | 40-60 | 60-80 |
Cycle Live, capacity decrease 100% to 80% | 1550 | 500 |
fast Charge Time | 1-1h | 2-4h |
Overcharge Tolerance | moderate | low |
Self-discharge per Month | 20% | 30% |
Cell Voltage (nominal) | 1.25V | 1.25V |
Operating Temperature | 40º to +60º C | -20º to +60º C |
Maintenance Requirement (to obtain max. service live) | 30 days | 90 days |
Typical Battery Cost | lower | higher |
In Use since | 1950 | 1990 |
American Standard |
International Standard |
Voltage | |
AAA | R03 | Micro | 1.5V (1.2V) |
AA | R6 | Mignon | 1.5V (1.2V) |
C | R14 | Baby | 1.5V (1.2V) |
D | R20 | Mono | 1.5V (1.2V) |
PP3 | R22, 6F22 | 9V Block | 9V (8.4V) |
Battery | Diameter | Length |
(mm) | (mm) | |
AAAA | 8.4 | 40.2 |
AAA | 10.5 | 44.5 |
AA | 14.2 | 50 |
A | 17 | 50 |
C | 26 | 46 |
D | 33 | 58 |
F | 33 | 91 |
R22 / PP3 / 9V | 17,5 x 26,5 x 48,5 mm | |
Battery | Diameter | Length |
(mm) | (mm) | |
4/3 AAAA | 8.4 | 67 |
1/4 AAA | 10.5 | 14 |
1/3 AAA | 10.5 | 20.5 |
2/3 AAA | 10.5 | 30 |
4/5 AAA | 10.5 | 37 |
3/4 AAA | 10.5 | 39.5 |
5/4 AAA | 10.5 | 50 |
L-AAA | 10.5 | 50 |
4/3 AAA | 10.5 | 67 |
5/3 AAA | 10.5 | 67 |
LL-AAA | 10.5 | 67 |
3/2 AAA | 10.5 | 67 |
6/4 AAA | 10.5 | 67 |
7/5 AAA | 10.5 | 66.5 |
7/4 AAA | 10.5 | 76 |
7/3 AAA | 10.5 | 80 |
1/3 N | 11.5 | 10.8 |
N | 11.5 | 28 |
4/3 N | 11.5 | 44.5 |
1/3 AA | 14.2 | 17.5 |
1/2 AA | 14.2 | 30 |
2/3 AA | 14.2 | 28.7 |
4/5 AA | 14.2 | 43 |
AA flat top | 14.2 | 48 |
5/4 AA | 14.2 | 64.5 |
L-AA | 14.2 | 65 |
4/3 AA | 14.2 | 65.2 |
7/5 AA | 14.2 | 70 |
1/3 A | 17 | 21 |
1/2 A | 17 | 25 |
2/3 A | 17 | 28.5 |
4/5 A | 17 | 43 |
4/3 A | 17 | 67 |
L-A | 17 | 67 |
7/5 A | 17 | 70 |
Fat A | 18 | 50 |
4/3 Fat A | 18 | 67 |
L-Fat A | 18 | 67 |
Battery | Diameter | Length |
(mm) | (mm) | |
1/2 SC | 23 | 26 |
2/3 SC | 23 | 28 |
4/5 SC | 23 | 34 |
SC (sub C) | 23 | 43 |
RR | 23 | 42.2 |
5/4 Sub C | 23 | 49.5 |
4/3 SC | 23 | 50 |
L-SC | 23 | 50 |
1/2 C | 26 | 24 |
3/5 C | 26 | 30 |
2/3 C | 26 | 31 |
5/4 C | 26 | 58 |
1/2 D | 33 | 37 |
2/3 D | 33 | 43.4 |
4/3 D | 33 | 89 |
3/2 D | 33 | 90.3 |
F | 33 | 91.2 |
SF (super F) | 41.4 | 89.1 |
G | 32 | 105 |
J | 32 | 150 |
6 | 67 | 172 |