Battery Construction
Secondary cell batteries are constructed using the various secondary cells already described. The lead-acid battery is one of the most common batteries in use today and will be used to explain battery construction . The nickel-cadmium battery is being used with increasing frequency and will also be discussed.
The first illustration shows the makeup of a lead-acid battery. The container houses the separate cells. Most containers are hard rubber, plastic, or some other material that is resistant to the electrolyte and mechanical shock and will withstand extreme temperatures.
The container (battery case) is vented through vent plugs to allow the gases that form within the cells to escape. The plates in the battery are the cathodes and anodes that were discussed earlier.
Lead-acid battery construction.
In the second illustration the negative plate group is the cathode of the individual cells and the positive plate group is the anode.
As shown in the picture, the plates are interlaced with a terminal attached to each plate group. The terminals of the individual cells are connected together by link connectors as shown.
The cells are connected in series in the battery and thepositive terminal of one end cell becomes the positive terminal of the battery. The negative terminal of the opposite end cell becomes the negative terminal of the battery.
Lead-acid battery plate arrangement.
The terminals of a lead-acid battery are usually identified from one another by their size and markings. The positive terminal, marked (+) is sometimes colored red and is physically larger than the negative terminal, marked (−).
The individual cells of the lead-acid battery are not replaceable, so in the event one cell fails the battery must be replaced.
The nickel-cadmium battery is similar in construction to the lead-acid battery with the exception that it has individual cells which can be replaced. The cell of the nicad battery is shown in the last illustration.
Nickel-cadmium cell.
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