Zapping

Zapping:
The process of applying a momentary high current pulse to a battery to improve performance. Zapping is said to improve new NiCd batteries but does not restore weak packs.

Voltage-limiting charger

Voltage-limiting charger:
A charger that limits the maximum voltage to a battery but allows the current to drop towards the end of charge. A voltage-limiting charge may also include current-limiting. (Typically used on lead acid and Li?ion battery chargers).

Voltage limit

Voltage limit:
The voltage value beyond which a battery is not permitted to rise on charge or fall on discharge.

Voltage delay

Voltage delay:
During open circuit storage, some battery systems develop a passivation film on the surface of the active material. On the initial discharge, these batteries demonstrate a momentarily lower than normal voltage until this film is removed by the discharge.

Topping Charge

Topping Charge:
To complete the fast charge, a topping charge is applied that continues charging the battery for 30 minutes or longer at a lower current. Typically used for nickel-based batteries.

Trickle charge

Trickle charge:
Maintenance charge to compensate for the battery's self-discharge.

Thermal runaway

Thermal runaway:
A condition whereby an electrochemical cell will overheat and destroy itself through internal heat generation. This may be caused by overcharge or high current discharge and other abusive conditions.

Thermal battery voltage

Thermal battery voltage:
Batteries are non-linear systems. The equations, which govern the battery's response, becomes linear below 25mV/cell at 25°C. This voltage is called the battery thermal voltage.

System Management Bus (SMBus)

System Management Bus (SMBus):
A commonly used protocol for the 'smart' battery.

Supercapacitor

Supercapacitor:
A capacitor that can store a high amount of energy. Supercapacitors hold about one tenth the energy of a nickel or lithium-based battery.

Sulfation

Sulfation:
The growth of lead sulfate crystals in lead acid batteries, which inhibits current flow. Sulfation is caused by storage at low state-of-charge.

State-of-Health (SoH)

State-of-Health (SoH):
A measurement that reflects the state-of-health of a battery, taking into account charge acceptance, internal resistance, voltage and self-discharge.

State-of-Charge (SoC)

State-of-Charge (SoC):
A measurement that reflects the state-of-charge of a battery. The SoC alone is not a valid indicator of the battery's runtime. The SoC readings will indicate 100 percent, even if a battery whose acceptance has dropped to 50 percent is fully charged.

Spinel

Spinel:
A family of compounds that have a specific chemical structure. In lithium-ion batteries, the structure is manganese-based.

Spectroscopy

Spectroscopy:
Same terminology as Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy.

Soft cell

Soft cell:
A cell whose voltage rises above its defined boundaries during charging. This voltage rise may be caused by high cell impedance, cold battery temperature or lack of electrolyte.

'Smart' battery

'Smart' battery:
Also known as an 'intelligent battery.' A battery pack containing internal circuitry that enables communication between the battery and the user.

Slow charge

Slow charge:
Typically an over-night charge lasting 10 to 16 hours at a charge current of 0.1C. A battery does not require instant removal when fully charged.

Single wire bus

Single wire bus:
Simplified 'smart' battery using only one wire for digital communications to the outside world.

Self-discharge

Self-discharge:
Capacity loss during storage due to the internal leakage between the positive and negative cell plates.