Batteries: Difference between revisions
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Zinc–carbon was the first commercially available battery type and is still somewhat frequently used, although it has largely been replaced by the similarly composed alkaline battery. Like the alkaline battery, the zinc–carbon battery contains manganese dioxide and zinc electrodes. Unlike the alkaline battery, the zinc–carbon battery uses ammonium chloride as the electrolyte (zinc chloride in the case of "heavy-duty" zinc–carbon batteries), which is acidic. | Zinc–carbon was the first commercially available battery type and is still somewhat frequently used, although it has largely been replaced by the similarly composed alkaline battery. Like the alkaline battery, the zinc–carbon battery contains manganese dioxide and zinc electrodes. Unlike the alkaline battery, the zinc–carbon battery uses ammonium chloride as the electrolyte (zinc chloride in the case of "heavy-duty" zinc–carbon batteries), which is acidic. | ||
Either when it has been completely consumed or after three to five years from its manufacture (its shelf life),<ref>"[https://data.energizer.com/pdfs/non-rechargeable_faq.pdf Non-Rechargeable Batteries: Frequently Asked Questions]". Energizer.</ref> a zinc–carbon battery is prone to leaking. The contents of the leakage may include manganese hydroxide, zinc ammonium chloride, ammonia, zinc chloride, zinc oxide, water and starch. None of these are particularly dangerous to human skin, but this combination of materials is corrosive to metals, such as those of the battery contacts and surrounding circuitry.<ref>[https://www.powerstream.com/why-do-batteries-leak-white-stuff.htm "What is that white stuff that leaks from batteries?"] PowerStream.</ref> | Either when it has been completely consumed or after three to five years from its manufacture (its shelf life),<ref name=energizer>"[https://data.energizer.com/pdfs/non-rechargeable_faq.pdf Non-Rechargeable Batteries: Frequently Asked Questions]". Energizer.</ref> a zinc–carbon battery is prone to leaking. The contents of the leakage may include manganese hydroxide, zinc ammonium chloride, ammonia, zinc chloride, zinc oxide, water and starch. None of these are particularly dangerous to human skin, but this combination of materials is corrosive to metals, such as those of the battery contacts and surrounding circuitry.<ref>[https://www.powerstream.com/why-do-batteries-leak-white-stuff.htm "What is that white stuff that leaks from batteries?"] PowerStream.</ref> | ||
Online discussions suggest that zinc-carbon battery leakage can be effectively cleaned with baking soda.<ref>[https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/best-way-to-clean-contacts-on-sb-900.496731/ "Best way to clean contacts on SB-900?"] Photo.net.</ref> | Online discussions suggest that zinc-carbon battery leakage can be effectively cleaned with baking soda.<ref>[https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/best-way-to-clean-contacts-on-sb-900.496731/ "Best way to clean contacts on SB-900?"] Photo.net.</ref> | ||
====Alkaline==== | ====Alkaline==== | ||
Alkaline batteries use manganese dioxide and zinc electrodes with an electrolyte of potassium hydroxide. The alkaline battery gets its name from the replacement of the acidic ammonium chloride of zinc–carbon with potassium hydroxide, which is an alkaline. Alkaline batteries are considerably more efficient, more environmentally friendly, and more shelf-stable than zinc–carbon batteries—five to ten years, when stored room temperature.<ref name=energizer /> | |||
===Rechargable=== | ===Rechargable=== | ||
Revision as of 01:39, 16 February 2022
- For more information, see this article's corresponding Wikipedia page: Electric battery.
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A battery is a self-contained device that converts chemical chemical energy into a direct current by way of a redox reaction. It consists of one or more cells, the composition of which determines whether the battery is disposable (primary) or rechargeable (secondary). Batteries are typically opposed to mains power as a source of electrical energy, although the two are often used in tandem to power components within a piece of equipment.
In the context of repairing equipment, batteries can be problematic due to their propensity for leaking.
Battery Types and Risks
Disposable
Zinc–Carbon
Zinc–carbon was the first commercially available battery type and is still somewhat frequently used, although it has largely been replaced by the similarly composed alkaline battery. Like the alkaline battery, the zinc–carbon battery contains manganese dioxide and zinc electrodes. Unlike the alkaline battery, the zinc–carbon battery uses ammonium chloride as the electrolyte (zinc chloride in the case of "heavy-duty" zinc–carbon batteries), which is acidic.
Either when it has been completely consumed or after three to five years from its manufacture (its shelf life),[1] a zinc–carbon battery is prone to leaking. The contents of the leakage may include manganese hydroxide, zinc ammonium chloride, ammonia, zinc chloride, zinc oxide, water and starch. None of these are particularly dangerous to human skin, but this combination of materials is corrosive to metals, such as those of the battery contacts and surrounding circuitry.[2]
Online discussions suggest that zinc-carbon battery leakage can be effectively cleaned with baking soda.[3]
Alkaline
Alkaline batteries use manganese dioxide and zinc electrodes with an electrolyte of potassium hydroxide. The alkaline battery gets its name from the replacement of the acidic ammonium chloride of zinc–carbon with potassium hydroxide, which is an alkaline. Alkaline batteries are considerably more efficient, more environmentally friendly, and more shelf-stable than zinc–carbon batteries—five to ten years, when stored room temperature.[1]
Rechargable
Nickel–Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
Nickel–Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
Lithium
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Non-Rechargeable Batteries: Frequently Asked Questions". Energizer.
- ↑ "What is that white stuff that leaks from batteries?" PowerStream.
- ↑ "Best way to clean contacts on SB-900?" Photo.net.