The battery type is classified by primary batteries, which is non-rechargeable batteries, and secondary batteries, which are rechargeable batteries. Primary battery including alkaline batteries, lithium batteries, zinc-carbon batteries, and silver-oxide batteries, while secondary batteries include lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride, lead-acid, and nickel-cadmium.
The choice of battery type depends on the application, specifically whether the device is high-drain or low-drain, and whether the convenience of a single-use battery or the cost-effectiveness and performance of a rechargeable battery is prioritized.
The sheer variety of batteries can be overwhelming, so this article focuses on introducing one type to help readers understand and learn more. It is a Li-SOCL2 battery.
What is a Li-SOCL2 battery?
Refer to Li-SOCL2 batteries, which are the champions of primary (non-rechargeable) power sources, setting benchmarks in energy density and operational stability. Their unique chemistry makes them indispensable for long-life, high-performance industrial and sensing applications.
A Powerhouse of Energy Density
The standard nominal voltage for Li-SOCL cells is 3.6 text, currently the highest of any commercially available primary battery.
The energy storage capability of batteries is exceptional, making them ideal where power needs to be contained in the smallest possible space. They boast:
- Gravimetric Energy Density: Up to 590 Wh/kg
- Volumetric Energy Density: Up to1100 Wh/dm
This combination of high voltage and extreme energy density ensures long service life in remote and critical devices, such as utility meters, tracking systems, and industrial monitoring equipment.
Decoding the ER Battery Designation
LiSOCl2 batteries are designated with the prefix ER, followed by a size code, for example,e the ER14505, which denotes a size similar to an AA battery. An additional suffix is used to categorize the cell’s internal structure and performance profile:
The Critical Role of Diodes in Battery Packs
When LiSOCl_2 cells are combined in series to create higher-voltage battery packs, diodes are essential for safety and reliability. They prevent a dangerous phenomenon known as reverse polarization.
Since LiSOCl_2 batteries are primary (non-rechargeable), they cannot tolerate the flow of charging current. In a series string, if one cell depletes its charge faster than the others, the remaining stronger cells can drive current backward through the depleted cell, causing reverse polarization. This can lead to rapid degradation, venting, or even rupture of the failed cell.
The addition of a bypass diode across certain cells (or, in some cases, the pack) provides a low-impedance path for the current to flow, bypassing the dead cell and preventing excessive negative voltage development across it.
The requirement for diodes is based on the cell’s capacity and the size of the battery pack:
Diode Inclusion Rules (LiTHC Battery Packs)
- ER Capacity Type (No suffix, Bobbin structure)
Diodes are required for combinations that include ER26500 cells or cells with a higher capacity.
Diodes are required for combinations with 6 or more cells (including $6$) of lower-grade $LiTHC$ cells.
- ER Power Type (M suffix, Spiral structure)
Diodes are required for combinations involving or more cells.
These specific rules ensure that the battery pack operates safely, maintaining power delivery even if one cell reaches its end-of-life early.