Battery Types



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


Rechargeable batteries should be used in pairs or in groups and new ones and old ones should not be mixed up. Apparently, if one battery is 'stronger' than the other, they sort of trade power when using or charging them, which can decrease their useful life.


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