Types of batteries: how they are classified according to their use

Currently you can get various types of batteries on the market, from
very small to very large options, with a lot of capacity. It all depends on what artifact, device or vehicle they power. We tell you what the options are and what they are for.

Types of batteries: how they are classified according to their use

When buying a battery, you must take into account some aspects that will help you choose well. Understand what a battery is, how many types of batteries exist and what they are used for. Also understand issues related to operation, its components and its levels of autonomy. Let’s see what the most popular options are.

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Types of batteries according to their use

Batteries vary according to their use or purpose. There are different sizes, with lower or higher load capacity, and with simpler and more complex structures.

cell phone batteries

Batteries have become crucial in cell phones, especially in smartphones that, due to their multiple functionalities, have a high demand for energy. The most used are:

• Lithium battery or Li-ion technology: they are the ones used today by most electronic devices, such as smartphones, laptops, cameras and even game consoles. It banished the problem of the “memory effect”, which was common in its predecessors and made you have to wait for the battery to be completely discharged before charging it because it crystallized internally and the amount of charge it could store was reduced. In addition, they provide a longer lifespan for our electronic devices and are more compact and lightweight.
• Lithium Polymer Batteries: they are an evolution of Li-Ion batteries and offer the advantage of storing the same amount of charge, but in a smaller space. They are much more flexible in terms of handling. It will be represented by the Li-Po nomenclature.

battery classes

The battery is a type of battery that, in general, has an irreversible transformation process. This implies that, when downloaded, it cannot be reloaded. Another characteristic of batteries is that their charge can last for months or years if they are used little.

• Alkaline Battery: it is composed of zinc and manganese dioxide that, through its chemical reaction, generates electricity. It is generally not rechargeable. Its useful life is estimated in years, but it depends a lot on the use that is given to it. They are usually cheap but they are not easy to recycle, which affects the environment.
• AA battery: It can be made up of various materials depending on its use. There are alkaline batteries, saline batteries and lithium batteries. They measure 50mm long and 14mm in diameter. The alkaline has the code LR and the saline, the code R. The normal voltage of both is 1.5 V. The lithium can be rechargeable, depending on its composition. Its voltage is 3.6 V. They have triple the capacity of an AAA battery.
• AAA battery: its structure is based on a single cell. It measures 44.5mm in length and 10.5mm in diameter. Its voltage is 1.5 volts. They are commonly used in remote controls, MP3 players, and digital cameras. Its biggest advantage lies in size.
• Rechargeable battery: It is a good alternative for devices that demand a lot of load, such as digital cameras. As an outstanding feature, it has a longer service life and generates less waste and pollution. It is made with various chemical components. They usually come with a charger.

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Batteries for motorcycles, cars and trucks

In the segment of batteries for cars, motorcycles and trucks we find a wide range of options in terms of size, weight, design and performance. In general terms, we can say that they work in a similar way to the ones we describe but have very different characteristics in relation to load and power capacity.

How many types of car batteries are there? Various. But we list the most important:

• Wet cell battery: It is the most common car battery due to its low cost. Prices vary by amperage and brand. It works with lead plates suspended in sulfuric acid. The important thing about this battery
  is that it does not require maintenance. Its life cycle is between 4 and 5 years.
• calcium battery: It has a similar operation to the wet cell, with the difference that the latter has a calcium alloy on its plates. The purpose of this is to prevent corrosion and excessive fluid loss. They have a longer useful life but require maintenance from time to time.
• VRLA Battery (AGM and GEL): It is made up of pressurized safety valves, which are located on the inside in order to prevent liquid loss. AGM or “dry” uses fiberglass to separate the electrolytes, resulting in little internal resistance. They are high-power batteries, which is why they are very useful for starting engines. The GEL ones work with a silicone that densifies the acid and their use is special for electrical equipment, since they withstand deep discharges very well.
• Lithium ion battery: uses lithium salt for its operation and has a circuit that protects them from overloads. It has excellent autonomy and its weight is light compared to the rest. It is widely used for high-end cars or electric cars.
• Battery for Diesel cars: It differs in some aspects with those of the common car because this type of car demands more power. In general, it is recommended that the amperage be at least 70 Ah for it to work without problems. It is designed to deliver high currents in short time intervals.

What is a battery?

The battery or cell, also known as accumulators, are devices capable of generating electrical energy from chemical reactions that occur in their
inside. They are made up of a series of lead plates, immersed in electrolytes. Its external structure is based on two electrodes (anode and cathode) which, depending on their location, we will talk about as a cell or battery.

What is a battery for? To feed the most diverse electrical circuits. That is why there are different types, sizes and capacities.

How does a battery work?

It is important to understand the operation of a battery to understand how the energy supply of some machines or devices is produced. Let’s start by explaining that they are made up of cells, that are stacked or accommodated one behind or on top of the other and that they are like boxes that, internally, have two electrodes immersed in an electrolyte.

Chemical reactions occur between these two electrodes that generate the necessary voltage to cover the energy demand. The internal communication of the electrodes towards the external part of the battery occurs through the terminals, which are the ones that supply the energy to the electrical system that sees it to be used.