Primary Battery

Product Details

A primary battery is a battery that is designed to be cycled (fully discharged) only once and then discarded. Although primary batteries are often made from the same base materials as secondary (rechargeable) batteries, the design and manufacturing processes are not the same. Primary batteries should not be recharged. Although attempts at recharging a primary battery will occasionally succeed (usually with a diminished capacity), it is more likely that the battery will simply fail to hold any charge, will leak electrolyte onto the battery charger, or will overheat and cause a fire. It is unwise and dangerous to recharge a primary battery.A zinc-carbon dry cell or battery is packaged in a zinc can that serves as both a container and anode. The cathode is a mixture of manganese dioxide and carbon powder. The electrolyte is a paste of zinc chloride and ammonium chloride dissolved in water. Zinc-carbon batteries are the least expensive primary batteries and thus a popular choice for low-drain devices. They can be used in remote controls, flashlights, toys, or transistor radios, where the power drain is not too heavy.Alkaline batteries are a type of primary battery. Compared with zinc-carbon batteries, while all produce approximately 1.5 volts per cell, alkaline batteries have a higher energy density and longer shelf-life. The alkaline battery gets its name because it has an alkaline electrolyte of potassium hydroxide, as opposed to the acidic electrolyte of the zinc-carbon batteries which are offered in the same nominal voltages and physical size.