Sunday, January 29, 2012

Batteries for Ni-cd Tools

By Michael Johanson


Nickel-cadmium cells have a nominal cell potential of 1.2 V. This is certainly lower in comparison with the 1.5 V of alkaline and zinc-carbon primary cells, and consequently they are not best suited as a replacement in almost all applications. Having said that, the 1.5V of a primary alkaline cell defines its initial, rather than average, voltage. Far apart from alkaline and zinc-carbon primary cells, a NiCd cell's terminal current simply adjusts a little bit as it discharges. Due to the fact lots of gadgets are designed to work together with primary cells that may discharge to only 0.90 up to 1.0 V for every cell, the relatively steady 1.2 V of a NiCd is enough to permit functionality. Many might take into account the near-constant voltage a negative aspect as it makes it challenging to recognize once the battery power charge is low.

Recent developments

Nowadays, all user NiCd battery packs makes use of the "swiss roll" or perhaps a "jelly-roll" structure. This particular design incorporates quite a few layers of positive and negative content rolled into a cylindrical appearance. This specific design and style minimizes internal level of resistance as there is a increased amount of electrode in contact with the active material in each and every cell.

Battery characteristics

Advantages

When compared with other forms of rechargeable battery power, the NiCd battery is known for a wide variety of unique positive aspects.

The batteries are definitely more difficult to wear and tear as compared to other power packs, tolerating deep discharge for long time periods. The reality is that, NiCd battery packs within long-term storage are generally stored absolutely discharged. This is in contrast, for example, to lithium ion batteries, which often can be less dependable and will be indefinitely damaged when discharged lower than a baseline voltage. NiCd power packs typically stay longer, with regards to number of charge/discharge routines, as compared to some other chargeable battery packs such as lead/acid power packs.

In comparison to lead-acid power packs, NiCd batteries have a much increased energy density. The NiCd battery is actually smaller and also lighter in weight than a comparable lead-acid battery. In instances where weight and size are important considerations (one example is, aircraft), NiCd batteries are recommended over the less expensive lead-acid batteries.

In consumer applications, NiCd power packs are competing precisely along with alkaline power packs. The NiCd cell features a decreased total capacity in contrast to an equivalent alkaline cell, and will cost you a lot more. On the other hand, since the alkaline battery's chemical response is not really reversible, a reusable NiCd battery includes a tremendously lengthier total lifespan. There've been efforts to develop rechargeable alkaline batteries, or customized battery chargers for charging single-use alkaline battery packs, but none of them that has observed wide utilization.

The terminal voltage of a NiCd battery power decreases more slowly as it is discharged, compared with carbon-zinc batteries. Given that an alkaline battery's voltage declines considerably as the charge declines, almost all customer apps are very well prepared to handle the slightly lower NiCd voltage with no noticeable loss of efficiency.

The main trade-off having NiCd batteries could be the higher cost as well as the usage of cadmium. This particular heavy metal is undoubtedly an environmental risk, and is highly dangerous to all or any higher forms of existence. NiCd battery packs also are more costly than lead-acid power packs simply because nickel and cadmium are more costly materials.

One of the NiCd's biggest disadvantages is that the battery presents an extremely marked unfavorable temperature coefficient. This means that as the cell temperature rises, the internal resistance drops. This tends to pose significant charging problems, particularly with all the relatively simple charging systems employed for lead-acid type battery packs. Although lead-acid power packs are usually charged simply by connecting a dynamo to them, having a simple electromagnetic cut-out system for when the dynamo is non moving or maybe an over-current takes place, the NiCd within a similar charging scheme would show thermal runaway, where the charging current would continue to rise up until the over-current cut-out operated or the battery damaged itself. This is actually the principal component that inhibits its usage as engine-starting batteries. These days with alternator-based charging systems with solid-state regulators, the construction of an appropriate charging system might possibly be simple and easy, but the auto producers are reluctant to abandon tried-and-tested technology.




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