AMPERAGE |
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The total amount of current (amperes) flowing in a circuit. |
AMPERE (AMP) |
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The unit of measurement of the flow of electrons in a circuit. The amount of current produced by one volt acting through the resistance of one ohm. |
AMPERE HOUR |
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A unit of measurement for battery capacity, obtained by multiplying the current (in amperes) by the time (in hours) during which the current is delivered. |
BCI |
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Battery Council International. An international organization founded in 1924, that helps its membership establish policies and quality standards, fair and lawful practices in sales, service and safeguards for the health and economic welfare of those engaged in the manufacturing of storage batteries. All batteries are identified by what is called a BCI number. |
BATTERY |
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A group of two or more cells connected together for the production of electric current by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. |
CA |
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Cranking Amps is the discharge load (in amps) that a fully charged battery can supply for 30 seconds at 32 degrees F while maintaining a voltage of 1.2 volts per cell or higher. This is virtually the same as CCA, except that CCA is measured at a temperature of 0 degrees F. |
CABLE |
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An assembly of one or more conductors (wire), usually individually insulted and enclose in a protective sheath |
CALCIUM |
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An element which is mixed with the lead to strengthen the lead so it can be formed into grids (plates) in a maintenance free battery. |
CAPACITY |
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The current output capability of a cell or battery, usually expressed in ampere hours. |
CCA |
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Cold Cranking Amps measure a battery's ability to deliver high current in amps under extremely low temperatures (0 degrees F), when battery performance is expected to be the poorest. |
CELL |
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In a storage battery, one set of positive and negative terminals with an electrolyte generates electricity. A battery cell usually produces current at about 2 volts. A flashlight battery can be a single dry cell battery or several to generate electricity. |
CHARGE (RECHARGE) |
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To restore the active materials in a battery cell by electrically reversing the chemical action |
CURRENT |
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The movement of free electrons along a conductor |
CYCLE (DEEP CYCLE) |
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A complete sequence of a wave pattern that reoccurs at regular intervals. The number of cycles which occurs in one second is the frequency of the wave. |
DISCHARGE |
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To remove more energy from a battery than is being replaced. A discharged battery is of no service until it is charged. |
ELECTROLYTE |
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A solution of sulfuric acid and water (usually distilled water) used in the cells of a battery to catalyze the chemical reaction in the plates which produces voltage and current.
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FAHRENHEIT (F) |
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A temperature measurement system in which the freezing point of water is 32 degrees F (under normal atmospheric pressure) and its boiling point is 212 degrees F. This is the most common temperature scale used in the US. |
HYDROGEN GAS |
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The lightest and most explosive of all gases, which is emitted from a battery during charging procedures. This is very dangerous, and safety precautions must be observed at all times. |
HYDROMETER |
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A device used to measure the specific gravity of electrolyte in a battery to determine the state of charge in the battery. |
LEAD DIOXIDE |
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A combination of lead and oxygen that may be found in a battery. |
LEAD SULFATE |
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A hard, insoluble layer that slowly forms on the plates of a discharging battery. A combination of lead, oxygen and sulfur. |
MCA |
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Marine Cranking Amps. The MCA rating describes the fully charged load of a battery at 32 degrees F. |
MILLIAMPERE |
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One thousandth of an ampere. The abbreviation is mA. |
POLARITY |
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Having two opposite charges – one positive and one negative.
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POSITIVE TERMINAL |
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The terminal to which electrons flow in a complete circuit. On a battery it can be identified as the larger of the two posts or by the plus sign, which is often used to identify the post. |
RC |
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Reserve Capacity is the time required (in minutes) for a fully charged battery at 80 degrees F under a constant 25 amp draw to reach a voltage of 10.5 volts.
This rating helps determine the battery's ability to sustain a minimum electrical load in the event of a charging system failure. The minimum electrical load under the worst possible conditions (winter driving at night) would likely require current for the ignition, low beam headlights, windshield wipers and the defroster at low speed.
RC is also useful to measure the battery's ability to power a vehicle that has small but long-term parasitic electrical loads and still have enough reserve to crank the engine.
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SPECIFIC GRAVITY |
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The weight of sulfuric acid solution in water, which has an assigned specific gravity of 1.0. The specific gravity of the solution in a storage battery is measured with a hydrometer.
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