Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1442856
| 15 | Likewise, batteries do not just sit at 100 percent charge once they reach it. Instead, they generally lose a very minute amount of charge over time, resulting in a shrinkage of their total available charge. In common parlance, this is known as the battery's shelf-life. How long can it stay in storage before it ultimately trickles away, and its charge becomes worn out? For primary cells, this means they are now useless. For a rechargeable cell, they simply must be recharged, and then they will be fresh. Common Types Mouser Electronics provides various batteries and battery technologies from industry-leading manufacturers. Mouser is an authorized distributor for many battery manufacturers, including Panasonic, Phoenix Contact, Power-Sonic, Renata, RRC Power Solutions, Seiko Instruments, Tadiran Batteries, Ultralife, and many more. Several different types of materials are employed to make rechargeable batteries. Some of the most common types include lead-acid (Pb-acid), Li-Ion, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO 4 ), Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH). Let's quickly take a look at each of these. Lead-acid If you own or ride in an automobile, you should be readily familiar with this type of rechargeable battery. Lead-acid batteries are the default type of battery found in most gas combustion automobiles. Lead-acid batteries have a high power to mass performance that makes them suitable for high amperage demand applications. These include an automotive starter that requires lots of energy to turn over. Li-Ion They work well with automotive, aerospace, communication, medical, military, and industrial applications. These batteries are commonly found in items such as portable devices, power tools, and electric vehicles (EV). They provide excellent energy density in lightweight packages. They were the subject of much scrutiny when it was observed that incorrect storage could lead to dangerous situations in confined spaces such as airplanes. Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) A type of Li-Ion, it offers a longer number of full charge/ discharge cycles, known as life cycle. In comparison to a lead-acid battery, Li-Ion batteries have less mass and many times a higher life cycle. Suitable applications include medical, solar and wind, mobility, transportation, sports and recreation, and utility. Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) The employment of Cadmium brings higher costs relative to nickel-metal or Li-Ion, and the chemical is toxic. NiCd batteries are well-suited for applications that expose the cells to deep discharges such as in harsh environments. NiCd batteries also enjoy the benefit of offering a high- cycle life. Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Newer and less toxic than NiCd, Nickel Metal Hydride batteries have good charge capacity. Commonly found at checkout counters around the world at 1.2V, they are excellent in high-current drain applications. They supply a constant voltage level until they are fully discharged, not being susceptible to voltage dropping found in some other types of batteries.