Your comprehensive glossary to key terms and definitions
Ampere (A): Often referred to as Amp for short, it is a measure of how much electricity is flowing through a conductive material.
Ampere-Hour (Ah): A unit of measure for a battery’s electrical storage capacity obtained by multiplying the current in amperes by the time in hours of discharge. (Example: A battery that delivers 10 amperes for 8 hours delivers 10 amperes X 8 hours = 80 Amp-Hr of capacity.)
Ampere-Hour Throughput: The total sum of amp-hour capacity used during cycling over the life of the battery.
Anode: The negative electrode of a battery. It is the part of a battery that oxidizes and sends electrons to the cathode (the positive electrode) on discharge.
Battery Management System (BMS): An electronic system that manages and monitors the battery's performance, ensuring safe operation by protecting against abnormal conditions such as overcharge and over-discharge as well as thermal issues.
Battery Storage: The storage of excess energy in batteries for later use, often used in conjunction with renewable energy systems.
Casing and Cover: The container and lid of the battery containing all its parts such as the cells, battery management system, cabling, etc.
Capacity: The amount of charge a battery can hold and deliver to an external circuit, usually measured in ampere-hours (Ah). It indicates the battery's ability to power a device.
Carbon Footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide) produced by human activities, including transportation, energy use, and industrial processes. Reducing carbon footprint is a key component of environment, social, and governance strategies for companies and investors.
Cathode: The positive electrode of a battery that is electrochemically reduced and receives electrons from the anode (the negative electrode) on discharge.
Cell: The individual electrochemical unit with a battery.
Cell Balancing: The process of altering individual cell voltage and state of charge through the distribution of charge current to produce uniform cell voltages. This process can help improve the battery's performance, safety, and longevity.
Charge Cycle: A full discharge of the battery followed by a full recharge. One cycle represent a complete use of the battery's capacity.
Charge Rate: The speed at which a battery is charged, often expressed in terms of C-rate (i.e. 1C, 0.5C), where 1C represent the capacity of the battery being charged in one hour.
Depth of Discharge (DoD): The percentage of the battery's total capacity that has been used.
Discharge Rate: The speed at which a battery releases its stored energy, often expressed in terms of C-rate (i.e. 1C, 0.5C), where 1C represents the capacity of the battery being discharged in one hour.
Internal Resistance: The opposition to the flow of electric current within the battery. Lower internal resistance generally results in higher battery efficient.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4): A type of lithium battery chemistry known for its stability, safety, power density, and long cycle life, often used in applications requiring high safety.
Overcharge: Charging a battery above its maximum voltage threshold. This can result in overheating, reduced lifespan, or battery damage.
Over-Discharge: Discharging a battery below its minimum voltage threshold. This can result in reduced lifespan or battery damage.
Self-Discharge Rate: The rate at which a battery loses its charge when not in use.
Short Circuit: An abnormal conditions where the anode and cathode of the battery are connected together with a zero/low resistance conductive material. Never short circuit the battery terminals with any conductive materials.
State of Charge (SoC): The percentage of the battery's total capacity that is still available to use.
Torque: The amount of force required to rotate an object around a point.
Voltage: The electrical potential difference between the anode and cathode of a battery.
Watt-Hour (Wh): A unit of energy equivalent to one watt of power used for one hour. It is used to quantify battery capacity in terms of energy.