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Commonly Used Batteries And Their Applications

commonly used batteries and its applications powerlii

Batteries are the ideal source of power for various electronic devices, be it a watch, hearing-aid device, remotes, toys, and more. We can’t imagine life without batteries, it won’t be possible to do daily tasks without them. There are a lot of batteries present in the market. The consumer needs to select the right battery according to their requirement. 


This article provides batteries that get used and their applications. 


Before beginning, there are two types of batteries divided into two major categories, primary and secondary batteries. A primary battery is a disposable kind, once it’s used it can not be recharged. The secondary batteries are rechargeable ones. Let’s start: 

#1. Alkaline Batteries 

Alkaline batteries are non-rechargeable, these batteries come with a long life span. The alkaline battery gets used for a single-use. The advantage of using alkaline batteries is the higher density it offers. The higher density allows the battery to produce more energy while lasting longer than other disposable batteries. 


The alkaline batteries come in various sizes that range from AAA to AA. They are suited for low-drain and high-drain applications. 

Applications of Alkaline Batteries

Alkaline batteries are one of the most common batteries used in the world. These batteries are designed for long-lasting performance and are found in household items like clocks, radios, remote controls, etc. The run time of the alkaline batteries makes them an ideal choice for handheld games, Mp3 players, digital cameras, flashlights, toys, etc. Alkaline batteries are a popular choice for household applications. 

#2. Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries (NiMH) 

The number of portable battery-operated devices is on the rise. Consumers are confused about which battery to buy for their applications. Many battery applications are suited to be powered by NiMH rechargeable batteries. The main advantage of NiMH is the life cycle. A NiMH battery gets recharged hundreds of times, making them equivalent to hundreds to alkaline batteries lifetime. Some of the advantages of NiMH batteries are: 

  • High specific energy and energy density. 
  • 40% higher capacity than Ni-Cd. 
  • They are of lower cost and higher rate capability. 

Applications of NiMH Batteries

NiMH rechargeable batteries are used in various market sectors. The NiMH batteries are used in the automotive industry as the backup battery for automotive electric components like TCU, ecall, drive recorders. 


The NiMH batteries are popular in the infrastructure industry used as solar lights, ocean buoys, etc. These batteries are used as the backup battery for guidance lights, emergency lights, elevators for the emergency stops.  


Some other applications of NiMH batteries: 

Medical industry (medical equipment)

  • Infusion pumps
  • Respirators
  • Surgical tools
  • Monitoring devices for patients
  • Portable X-ray systems
marine updates

Handheld electronics 

  • Measurement devices
  • Handheld printers
  • Image capture devices
  • Data collection devices

Safety and security 

  • Thermal imaging devices
  • Night vision cameras
  • Personal alarms
  • Wearable gas detection systems

Communications industry 

  • Mobile electronic devices
  • Mobile industrial computers

Military 

  • Measuring equipment
  • Assembly equipment
  • Power tools and appliances

#3. Lithium-ion batteries

The popularity of lithium-ion batteries in the last couple of decades has been on the rise. Lithium-ion batteries have 50% of the market share of the battery segment. Lithium-ion batteries are ideal rechargeable batteries for home appliances. Here are some advantages of lithium-ion batteries: 

  • The lithium-ion batteries have high energy density.
  • One regular charge is complete. The battery does not require priming when new.
  • There is low self-discharge, which is less than half of the nickel-based batteries.
  • Low maintenance, no periodic discharge is required.
  • The batteries are eco-friendly, they contain low levels of toxic materials in comparison to other batteries. 

Applications of Lithium-ion Batteries 


Medical Equipment 

Lithium-ion batteries are the ideal choice for advanced medical devices. The batteries are used in pacemakers, surgical saws, drills, robotic information systems, infusion pumps, glucose monitors, and other medical devices. 


Military Equipment 

Lithium-ion batteries are being used in military equipment for decades. It’s used in radios that are used to communicate with each other. Lithium-ion batteries provide longer life to appliances. It’s a reliable source of power in extreme conditions, they are used in GPS, night vision, and many more. 


Household Appliances

In the last decade, the use of lithium-ion batteries has made their impact on household appliances. The use of lithium-ion batteries given below: 

Used in portable electronic devices: The batteries are used in watches, cameras, laptops, camcorders, etc. 

Used in entertainment devices: Lithium-ion batteries provide ample power to high-drain devices like radios, toys, games, keyboards, game controllers, etc. 

Used in Household devices: The lithium-ion batteries work well with clocks, alarms, hair trimmers, shavers, hearing aids, pacemakers, blood pressure monitors, and more.

 Conclusion

So, I hope you got to know about the commonly used batteries and their applications. The battery market is sure to grow in near future. Selecting the right kind of battery depends on two things, performance and cost if you are a novice. But there are other factors to consider as well like the shelf life, battery temperature, battery life, and more. For more information: https://www.powerlii.com/ 

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