OBJECTIVES

On completion of this period,you would be able to know

Definition of a Cell.

Classification of cells

Comparison between
Primary cell and Secondary cells
Guess! What is the source of power for working
of these devices?

EE-304.61 Fig.1 2
 What is Cell?

A cell also known as Storage cell.

A cell is a source of D.C in which Chemical Energy is

converted into Electrical Energy.

A group of such cells either connected in either series or

parallel or series parallel is known as Battery.

This process is called Electro Chemical action.

EE-304.61 3
 Classification of Cells

Cells can be broadly classified as

1. Primary Cells

2. Secondary Cells

EE-304.61 4
 Primary Cells

Primary Cell is a cell in which chemical action is not

reversible.

A primary cell is one in which the chemical action eats

away one of the electrodes, usually Negative electrode.

Many types of primary cells have been developed

Primary Cells are also called Disposable Cells or Throw

away Cells.

EE-304.61 5
 Examples of Primary Cells

1.Voltaic Cell
2. Daniel Cell (Wet Cell)
3. Leclanche Cell (Carbon Zinc Cell)
4. Dry Cell
5. Zinc Chloride Cell (Heavy Duty Cell)
6. Lithium Cell
7.Zinc-Mercuric Oxide cell
8. Zinc-Silver Oxide cell

EE-304.61 6
 Secondary Cells

A Secondary Cell is one in which Chemical action is

reversible.

Secondary cells are also known as accumulators or

rechargeable batteries sometimes storage batteries.

There is no actual consumption of any plate and that the

chemical process is reversible.

Secondary cell first invented by the French Scientist

Gaston Plante in 1859.

EE-304.61 7
 Comparison between Primary and
Secondary Cell

S.No Primary Cell Secondary Cell

1 Chemical action is not Chemical action is

reversible reversible

2 It has only one life cycle It has several life

cycles

3 It cannot provide large It can provide steady

and steady current for a current for a longer
longer period period

EE-304.61 8
 Comparison between Primary and
Secondary Cell
S.No Primary Cell Secondary Cell

4 Total life is limited Total life is unlimited

and determined by the
Number of charge and
discharge cycles
5 Expensive Economical

6 These are light in Heavy in weight

weight

EE-304.61 9
 Lead Acid Cell

EE-304.62 Fig.1 10
 A lead-acid battery is a electrical storage device that uses a
reversible chemical reaction to store energy.

It uses a combination of lead plates or grids and an electrolyte

consisting of a diluted sulphuric acid to convert electrical
energy into potential chemical energy and back again.

The electrolyte of lead-acid batteries is hazardous to your

health and may produce burns and other permanent damage
if you come into contact with it.

EE-304.62 11
 Lead acid cell parts (open view)

EE-304.63 12
Fig.2
 Nickel Cadmium Battery

EE-304.62
FIG.4 13
Lead acid battery
 CONTAINERS OF A LEAD ACID CELL

The purpose of Container is to house the

plates, separators and electrolyte.

It may be made of Glass, ceramics, celluloid

or Transparent synthetic plastic material

Celluloid containers are used for portable

wire less set batteries.
 If the battery used in automobiles, A more robust
material is required to prepare a container to
withstand mechanical shocks.

Container is sealed off at the top to prevent the

spilling of electrolyte.

A large space is left at the bottom of the container

to allow the sediments drop from the plates.
Containers
Containers
 PLATES OF A LEAD ACID CELL

A plate consists of a lattice type of grid of cast

antimonial lead alloy which is covered with active
material.

The grid serves as a support for the fragile material

and conducts electric current.

Positive plates are usually Plante process whereas

negative plates are pasted type.

Negative plates are some what lighter.

View of Plates and Separators
 A commercial cell contains an odd number
of plates such as 11,13,15 or 17.

The number of negative plates is always one

more than the number of positive plates.

This makes both sides of the +ve plate to be

used actively but also the tendency for one
side of the plate to distort is balanced by a
similar effect on the other.
 Seperators

Separators are thin sheets of electrically

insulating porous material used as spacers
between the plates to prevent short circuits
within the cells.

Fine pores in the separators allow ionic

current flow in the electrolyte between the
positive and negative plates.
VENT PLUGS OR FILLER CAPS

Vent plugs are provided at the top of the

cover for allowing the electrolyte to be
added when required.

Types of Vent Plugs

 Vent Plugs are made of Polystyrene or
rubber

Usually screwed in the cover

The function is to prevent escape of

electrolyte but allow the free exit of gas.

Vent plugs can be easily removed for

topping up or taking Hydrometer reading.
Battery Terminal Post
It is the upward
extension from each
connecting bar which
passes through the cell
cover for cable
connections to the
outside circuits.
Each cell has two
terminals marked as
positive and negative.
Negative terminal post
is smaller in diameter
than the positive
terminal post.
 CELL COVER

Cell cover has a

hole into which is
fitted the Vent cap.

Vent cap has vent

hole to allow the
gasses formed
inside the cell
 Hydrometer
Hydrometer is used to measure the specific
gravity of the electrolyte.
 Importance of Specific Gravity

The State of Discharge for a lead acid cell

is generally checked by measuring the
Specific Gravity of the electrolyte.
Specific Gravity is the ratio comparing the
weight of a substance with a weight of
water
Concentrated sulphuric acid is 1.835
times as heavy as water for the same
volume. Therefore , its specific gravity
equals 1.835.
S.No Specific Gravity of the Condition of the battery
electrolyte

1 1.22 to 1.23 100% Charged

2 1.20 to 1.21 75% Charged

3 1.175 to 1.185 50% Charged

4 1.15 to 1.16 25% Charged

5 Below 1.15 Completely discharged

and requires
recharging
 summary
Definition of a Cell.
Classification of cells
Comparison between
Primary cell and Secondary cells
Parts of lead acid battery
Testing of battery by using hydro meter and
H.R.Cell tester
 Test
1. Specific gravity of the electrolyte can be
measured by
(a) Hygrometer
(b) Hydrometer
(c ) Voltmeter
( d) Cell Tester
 Test
1. Specific gravity of the electrolyte can be
measured by
(a) Hygrometer
(b) Hydrometer
(c ) Voltmeter
( d) Cell Tester
 Test
The specific gravity of the dilute H2SO4
electrolyte is 1.23. The condition of the
battery is
(a) 100 % charged
(b) 75% Charged
(c ) 50% charged
(d) 25% charged
 Test
The specific gravity of the dilute H2SO4
electrolyte is 1.23. The condition of the
battery is
(a) 100 % charged
(b) 75% Charged
(c ) 50% charged
(d) 25% charged
 Test

3. Which one of the following is a Secondary

cell
(a) Lead acid Cell
(b) Daniel Cell
(c ) Voltaic Cell
(d) Leclanche Cell
 Test

3. Which one of the following is a Secondary

cell
(a) Lead acid Cell
(b) Daniel Cell
(c ) Voltaic Cell
(d) Leclanche Cell