A battery is a device that stores energy and releases it through an electrochemical reaction. Whichever industry you work in, you likely rely on batteries to provide a reliable power source to machinery, vehicles, handhold appliances, or other electronic devices. This article will talk about the different types of batteries available on today’s market and about Architecture of a Battery, highlighting some common components and how the devices work. We’ll finish by briefly discussing why high-quality batteries are a smart investment for small businesses. And luckily you can purchase one from any reputable seller e.g. RS Components.
A battery’s internal Architecture of a Battery
For simplicity, we can imagine a battery as a stack of three materials—a cathode, an electrolyte, and an anode, in that order from top to bottom. To function, a chemical reaction occurs within the battery that involves electrons flowing from one material to another through an external circuit.
As the chemical reaction happens, electrons build up at the battery’s anode, creating an electrical difference between the two electrodes. The electrons try to ‘fix’ this difference by repelling each other.
This is where the electrolyte solution comes into play. Sitting between the anode and cathode, the electrolyte prevents the electrons from flowing directly to the cathode. Instead, the electrons must pass through an external circuit before reaching the cathode, providing power to the device they pass through along the way.
Battery types & components explained
Batteries are essential across industries, helping to power everything from small consumer electronics to large-scale backup power systems. There are many different kinds of batteries, but the best way to discuss them is to break them down into two categories: primary and secondary.
Primary batteries
Primary batteries are the most common types of batteries you’ll come across in daily life. They’re also known as single-use or disposable batteries, meaning you can’t recharge them. If you’ve ever needed a simple AA or AAA battery to power up your TV remote, flashlight, radio, or clock, you’ve probably used a primary battery.
Some common primary battery types include:
- Zinc-carbon batteries
- Alkaline batteries
- Silver-oxide batteries
Let’s use the zinc-carbon battery as an example to describe a battery’s internal components. These batteries feature zinc, which acts as the anode, carbon, which acts as the cathode, and a salt-base electrolyte. These batteries will degrade over time as the zinc oxidises and leaks.
Secondary batteries
Secondary batteries are also known as rechargeable or multi-use batteries. These batteries discharge through an electric current, and reversing the current restores the inner electrons to their original composition, allowing you to use the battery again.
Some common examples of secondary batteries include:
- Lithium-ion or Li-ion batteries
- Lead-acid batteries (the first-ever rechargeable battery)
- Nickel-cadmium or NiCd batteries
- Nickel-metal hydride or NiMH batteries
Your business might use rechargeable batteries for an emergency power backup or UPS system, solar power storage, alarm or surveillance systems, portable electronic devices, and a huge range of other applications.
Why businesses should invest in high-quality batteries
Batteries are an integral part of a successful business, whether you work with electronics, machinery, or simply use a laptop for daily tasks. Investing in high-quality batteries will help your business save money on electricity bills, prevent productivity loss, and protect your valuable data in the case of a power outage.
