Understanding Battery Terminology
This glossary of technical terms is designed to help you understand the frequently used terms within the lithium battery industry.
AC: Alternating current; electric charge changes direction periodically.
Amp Hours (Ah): Current over time. An amp hour is a measurement of how many amps flow over in a one-hour period.
Battery (Battery Pack): two or more electrically connected cells in a series/parallel arrangement, designed to create the desired voltage/capacity. "Battery" is the common term for a single cell
BMS: Battery Management System used inside or outside battery to manage charge, discharge, and SoH data. Used to protect the battery and maximize service life.
Capacity: The electric energy content of a battery expressed in ampere-hours. The energy is referenced to the discharge at a constant current for a measured period until a specified cut-off voltage is reached.
Charge: The process of replenishing or replacing the electrical charge in a rechargeable cell or battery.
Continuous Current: The amperage of your lithium battery can be operated at perpetually.
DC: Direct current; electric charge only flows in one direction.
Deep cycling: Application in which the cell or battery is successively and repeatedly charged, then completely and fully discharged.
Depth of Discharge (DOD): The percentage of the battery that has been discharged relative to the overall capacity of the battery. Learn more here.
Intelligent battery: Battery with internal circuit enabling some communication between the battery and user. Some batteries feature a capacity indicator only, others offer an external bus to interface with the equipment, the battery powers, and the intelligent charger.
Parallel: interconnecting cells, or batteries with like terminals, are connected to increase the capacity of the resulting battery pack. This resulting battery pack’s capacity is equal to the sum of capacities of the parallel-connected batteries or cells.
Peak Current: The top amperage of your lithium battery.
Power Consumption: The amount of energy used per unit of time.
State of Charge (SOC): ratio of electricity, usually expressed in capacity, remaining in a battery or cell on discharge compared to its rated capacity.
Voltage: An electromotive force or potential difference expressed in volts.
Watt Hours (Wh): Power over time. Watt hours (Wh) are units of energy that measure the capacity of power (watts) moving over time. Learn more here.