A storage battery is an electrochemical device. It stores chemical energy which can be released as electrical energy. When the battery is connected to an external load such as a starter, the chemical energy is converted into electrical energy and current flows through the circuit.

PURPOSE OF THE BATTERY

The three main functions of the automotive battery are to:

  1. Supply power to the starter and ignition system so the engine can be cranked and started.
  2. Supply the extra power required when the vehicle's electrical load requirements exceed the supply from the charging system.
  3. Act as a voltage stabilizer in the electrical system. The battery smooths out or reduces temporarily high voltages (transient voltages) which occur in the vehicle electrical system. These excessively high voltages would damage other components in the electrical system if it were not for the protection provided by the battery.

Storage batteries are used in other fields for a variety of tasks such as providing power for lighting units and propelling special vehicles.

HOW IT OPERATES

When two unlike metals such as the positive and the negative plates are immersed in sulfuric acid (the electrolyte), the battery is created and a voltage is developed. The voltage developed depends on the types of metals and the electrolyte used. It is approximately 2.1 volts per cell in a typical lead-acid battery. Electrical energy is produced by the chemical action between the metals and the electrolyte. The chemical actions start and electrical energy flows from the battery as soon as there is a circuit between the positive and negative terminals (whenever a load such as the headlamps is connected to the battery). The electrical current flows as electrons through the outside circuit and as charged portions of acid (ions) between the plates, inside the battery.

The action of the lead-acid storage battery is determined by the chemicals in it. These chemicals are:

  1. Lead dioxide (Pb O2) - the material on the positive plate.
  2. Sponger lead (Pb) - the material on the negative plate.
  3. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) - the electrolyte.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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