1. Primary Batteries and Rechargeable Batteries
2. Primary Cells
3. Secondary Cells
4. Accumulator
5. Alkali
6. Ampère
7. Battery
8. Capacity
9. Voltage
10. Volt
11. Primary Systems
12. Secondary Systems
13. Configuration of an Accumulator
14. Safety Systems for Chargers

1. Primary Batteries and Rechargeable Batteries (Accumulators)
In 1799 Allessandro Cont di Volta (1745-1827) invented the first battery. He layered alternately copper and zinc slices one upon the other and put a piece of paperboard tinctured with a salt solution between the slices in each case. This “voltaic pile” delivers the energy.
Johann Wilhelm Ritter (1786-1810), who worked together with Goethe in the field of natural sciences, developed a battery in 1802, the so called “Ritter’sche Pile”. The pillar consisted of one upon each other layered copper and carton discs tinctured with table salt (sodium chloride). This device could be charged with electrical power and delivered electricity at discharge. It’s being regarded as the molding of the accumulator.
In 1859 the French physicist Gaston Planté (1834-1889) invented the rechargeable accumulator according to the lead and acid principle, which is still being used today. The industrialization pushed the development of electrochemical energy storages. The dynamo and the light bulb were invented by the end of the 19st century – there was a rapid growth of the demand to store electrical power.
At the beginning of the nickel-cadmium battery there are standing two names: Waldemar Jungner (1869-1924) and Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931). Those two inventors were occupied with a range of electrochemical energy storage devices and obtained 1901 patents for the nickel-cadmium and respectively for the nickel-iron accumulator.
In prewar times especially the names Chloride (UK), Varta (D), Fulmen and Saft (F) were the decisive companies.

2. Primary Cells
Basically you distinguish batteries in primary and secondary batteries. Primary batteries or cells are not rechargeable, whereas secondary batteries are rechargeable and are also called accumulator. The term secondary cell is dated from the fact, that the electrochemical reaction by feeding electricity can be revoked, meaning reversed, and the energy flow is taking place in two directions.
A simple primary cell consists of a zinc-coal mixture, which is made liquid through heating up and casted into a bin. A lead is inserted on both sides and the cell is getting charged.

The diversity in technologies:
SECONDARY BATTERIES (ACCUMULATORS)

nickel-cadmium (NiCd)	1,2	very high capacitance, rechargeable	cordless phones, electrical toothbrush, battery tools, emergency lights
nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH)	1,2	high capacitance, rechargeable	cell phones, cordless phones, camcorder, razors, model making
lithum coal phosphate (LiFePO4)	3,3	high capacitance, high energy density, rechargeable	tools, model making
lithum polymer (LiPO)	3,7	high capacitance, high energy density, rechargeable	cell phones, camcorder, notebooks, organizer, tools, model making
lithium-ionic (Li-Ion)	3,7	high capacitance, high energy density, rechargeable	cell phones, camcorder, notebooks, organizer

PRIMARY BATTERIES

DESCRIPTION	VOLT	CRITERIA	APPLIANCES
zinc-coal (ZnC)	1,5	for less demanding uses	flashlights, toys, remote-control
alkali-manganese (AlMn)	1,5	copes with high power requirement and permanent use	portable audio devices, cameras, games
zinc-air (Zn-air)	1,4	high capacitance	hearing aid, paging devices
lithium (Li)	3,0	high capacitance, low self-discharge	cameras with high power requirement (e.g. flash, automatical film drive), electronical database
silver oxide (AgO)	1,55	high to middle capacitance	watches, cameras, calculators

It is possible to combine multiple cells with each other to advance the voltage or the capacity of a battery pack. The circuit of multiple cells in a row complies with the addition of voltage. In the process, each positive pole is being connected to the negative pole in a row, like a chain. If each positive pole and all negative poles of multiple cells are connected to each other, this is called a connection in parallel, which causes an addition of capacity.

Overview of Primary Cells
D LR20 Mono 1,5V
C LR14 Baby 1,5V
AA LR6 Mignon 1,5V
AAA LR3 Micro 1,5V
N LR1 Lady 1,5V
9V 6LR61 E-Block 9V
J 4LR61 6V
The "R" in the column of „JIS" (Japanese International Standards) announces as well, that it is concerning coal. „LR" stands for alkaline and „ZA" für „zinc-air".

3. Secondary Cells
Today a secondary cell consists of two electrodes, between those a chemical reaction is taking place, by which the energy is being delivered. There is a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode). The cathode consists of a nickel compound and the anode at NiCd-cells of a nickel compound and at NiMH-cells of a hydrogen storing metal alloy. At Li-Ion-cells the cathode is made out of lithium metal oxide and the anode is made out of hydrogen, which can store lithium ions. The electrodes are being isolated by a separator. For the electrochemical reaction a liquid with conducting salts is being used.
Model Description: Mostly, the model descriptions consist of an abbreviation of the configuration. The indications of size are F, D, C, SC, LA, N, AF, AA, AAA, as well as an abbreviation for capacity or an abbreviation for the dimensions.
Furthermore, in the industrial sector there are frequently several cells linked with each other to achieve a higher capacity and/or a higher voltage. For this purpose the cells are provided with a soldering tag. This can be required in different configurations and is declared in the model description of the accumulator in form of a four-digit letter and number code. The first digit indicates the number of cells in the pack, the second digit indicates the alignment of the cells in the pack, the thirds the type of soldering tag and the fourth digit the direction in which the soldering tag points to.

Commentary:
4. Accumulator: Device for electric power storage via electrochemical procedures (lat. accumulare „accumulate“).
5. Alkali: Hydroxide of the first group of the periodic table of elements standing elements lithium, sodium, rubidium, francium and cesium, as well as ammonium hydroxide, which watery dilution react alkaline (basic, alkaloid) (arab. Al-qalaji „the salty ash, you gain“; arab. qalaj „roasting“).
6. Ampère: The measurement of the intensity of current after the French mathematician and physician André Marie Ampère (1775-1836).
7. Battery: Multiple similar devices, which are linked or combined, behind or next to each other, to merge their performances. ~ to a current source combined electric elements (french: Artillery battre "batter").
8. Capacity: The capacity is the storage capability of an accumulator. It's being stated in "Ah" (ampere-hour).
9. Voltage: The voltage results from the potential difference between electrodes. It’s being stated in volt.
10. Volt: Unit of electric potential after the Italian physician A. Graf Volta (1745-1827).

11. Primary Systems:
zinc-coal / zinc chloride 1.5 V
alkali-manganese 1.5 V
nickel zinc 1.5 V
silver oxide 1.55 V
lithium-manganese dioxide 3.0 V
zinc-air 1.4 V
mercury oxide 1.35 V
lithium-thionyl chloride e 3.6 V

12. Secondary Systems:
nickel-cadmium 1.2 V
nickel-metal-hydride 1.2 V
lithium-coal phosphate 3,3V
lithium-ion 3,6 - 3.7 V
lithium-polymer 3.7 V
lead accumulator 6 V/12 V
RAM (Rechargeable Alkaline Manganese dioxide) 1.5 V

13. How an accumulator works:
In an accumulator electric energy is converted into chemical energy while charging.
The System keeps in balance as long as there can’t flow electric current between both electrodes. As soon as a consumer load is being connected, the chemical energy is converted into electric energy again.
When charging or discharging accumulators, heat is being released, so as to only a part of the energy spent for charging is available.
The by electrochemical cells achieved nominal voltage depends on the type of used material.

What do you mean with:

Memory Effect: A phenomenon, which occurs when charging and discharging Ni-Cd accumulators. When the accumulator is getting charged, even though it is not fully discharged, not the whole capacity of the accumulator is available for the next use, but only the capacity less the before not charged part. The memory effect can be diminished by repeated full discharge and immediate charging. Ni-MH accumulators, li-ion accumulators or li-polymer accumulators are optional chargeable without memory effect.
Self-Discharge Rate: If an accumulator is not being used, it’s by and by losing a part of its charged energy. This process is called self-discharge. For the storage of accumulators the following is advised:
LiIon/LiPO: charge condition 40%, to keep cool if possible
NiMH: stored completely charged, monthly self-discharge about 10 - 15%
NiCd: empty (half-empty), monthly self-discharge about 20%
All details at room temperature.
Rating: By the producer indicated capacity of an accumulator (mAh). The higher the accumulator’s rating, the longer the operating time for the user (e.g. running time of a discman with 1300mAH accumulators: 2 hours; with 2500mAh accumulators: 5 hours). The capacity is determined according to the IEC Standard IEC6195-2.
Internal Resistance: The internal resistance is the sum of all internal resistances in a battery or an accumulator. If the current flow inctreases, the fall of voltage at the internal resistance is raising and the battery voltage decreases. In detail, the internal resistance consists of the polarization resistance of the electrochemical conversion, the flow resistance of the ions and the ohmic resistances at the electrodes.

Charging Parameters (Accumulators):

C-Rate	=	electricity (mA)
		capacity (mAh)

examples:
For 2200mAh accumulators:
1C means 2200mAh x 1C = 2200mA
0.5C means 2200mAh x 0.5C = 1100mA
For 1600mAh accumulators:
1C means 1600mAh x 1C = 1600mA
0.1C means 1600mAh x 0.1C = 160mA

There are 4 charging rates for charging NiMH accumulators, they depend on the C-Rate.
ultra fast (>2C)
fast (>1C)
moderate ( 0.2 TO 0.5C)
standard (0.1C)
For ultra fast (>2C), und fast charging (>1C), a close supervision is necessary.
When charging NiMH accumulators the maximum voltage must not exceed a tension of 1.7V per cell.
For standard and moderate charging the battery can be charged without any time limitation. The generated hydrogen gas is absorbed between the discs.
For fast charging the generation of hydrogen gas is higher than the absorption capability of the discs.

14. Safety System for Chargers

Single Channel Monitoring:
Each charging shaft forms an independent charger, and holds all security and monitoring functions. Different capacities and charge conditions can be charged simultaneously.
Overcharging or not filling up of the accumulators is excluded.
The individual monitoring assures optimally charging, maximal capacity and durability of each accumulator.
Integrated Ventilator:
It’s switching itself on at an accumulator temperature of 45°C and makes sure that the accumulator is not getting to hot while being charged and a danger of explosion can be excluded.
Microprocessor Control:
Minus ΔV-detection, temperature sensor, charge rate, ventilator und accumulator defect detection are being controlled by a patented microprocessor.
-ΔV Detection:
The –ΔV shutdown detects the fall of voltage which emerges as soon as an accumulator is fully charged. In this moment the charger switches the according charging shaft to maintenance charge, to keep up the achieved capacity.
This form of shutdown assures an optimal charge and durability (no overcharging; no half-full accumulators).
Temperature Surveillance:
During the charging process not the whole charging power is being charged to the accumulator. 20 – 30% are converted to heat. For this reason the accumulators are getting warm / hot during the charging process.
Accumulators are able to survive charging temperatures up to 60°C without prejudice. If the temperature increases further, the accumulator can suffer damages and in an extreme case even explode.
The temperature surveillance controls the temperature of an accumulator. It switches on the fan at a temperature of 45°C and reduces the charge rate simultaneously. If a temperature of 55°C is being reached, the charge rate will temporarily be interrupted.
Accumulator Defect Detection / Alkaline Detection:
If an accumulator is not working correctly or should an Alkaline be inserted, this will be detected and the charge rate for this shaft will be interrupted. A flashing light signalizes this disturbance.
Maintenance Charge:
This is about a very slight charge rate between charger and accumulator.
It avoids the discharge of the accumulator and makes sure that the accumulator holds its maximum capacity till the removal. This way, the maintenance charge works contrary to the self-discharge of an accumulator without damaging it.
Protection against Reverse Polarity:
It avoids the contact between accumulator and charger if the accumulator is inserted upside down. You can just not do anything wrong.
Timer:
A stopwatch is comparable to this technique, which is being activated when inserting the accumulator and stops the charge process after a certain time period and initiates the maintenance charge respectively.
Car Charging Adapter:
Allows charging accumulators over a cigarette lighter (12V jack).
Cable Charger / Plug Charger:
Different from a plug charger a cable charger is not directly plugged in an outlet, but connected to an outlet or PC via a power cable.