What Is Nicd Battery

There are different kinds of batteries out there. The one that revolutionized the whole battery scene of the world would be the NiCad battery or Nickel-cadmium battery. 

We are going to talk about how it became a phenomenon and its other features in this article.

What Is NiCd Battery

NiCad battery is a kind of rechargeable battery that is made with a combination of nickel oxide hydroxide and cadmium as electrodes. It has a very lower terminal voltage. A NiCad battery transforms chemical energy into electronic energy. The rate of a NiCad battery discharge is around 1.2V until it nears its end of capacity. 

The History Behind It and Its Invention

The history of the NiCad battery is quite a complex one. It is said that in 1899, Waldemar Jungner invented it in Sweden. He didn’t do much marketing to the world but built his own company in 1906 to commercially produce the finished NiCad batteries. Thomas Edison on the other hand patented a nickel or cadmium cobalt battery in 1900 and introduced it to the US. All of these were flooded cell batteries. In 1932, the sealed nickel-cadmium battery was introduced to the market. 

How It Is Charged

Depending on the manufacturing, NiCad batteries charge differently. The faster it can be charged, the greater it holds. Because while charging, the application of charge gets wasted with time. So a 100mAh battery can take a 10mA charge for 14 hours and the total charge rate will be 140 mAh as some have been wasted in the process of charging.

The faster the charger, the lesser time it would take to charge. But to be warned, the battery gets heated up from 20-40 degrees Celsius in the process. And at the end of charging, it may overcharge and combust. So maximum chargers have the option to turn off charging depending on the temperature of the battery. 

Use and Storage

NiCad batteries are used in different devices for their long-lasting and slow discharge rate. It is used in flashlights, cordless phones, RC toys, and other devices. They are even used in large vehicles like aircraft, electric vehicles, and stationary power. 

One of the best qualities of NiCad batteries is that they can be stored for a long time without use. It has to be discharged properly before storage or the cells will be damaged in the slow discharge process. Normally a NiCad battery discharges at the rate of 20% per month if left unused. Unlike other batteries which face damage if not left under a certain amount of charge, Nicd batteries shine in this area. 

Advantages of A NiCad Battery

There are certain advantages of NiCad batteries. Though other battery options have become much more convenient and reasonable, NiCad stands out for its recharge and discharge cycle life. It can be charged and discharged for a prolonged period of time than other lead or alkaline batteries. Plus, it performs great under rough weather and conditions. It is easy to carry and store so it is mostly used in survival equipment and heavy vehicles like airplanes. 

Alkaline batteries are the direct competitor of NiCad batteries. As Alkaline batteries hold more power and last longer, they are used more frequently. But thinking about the long term, NiCad batteries are preferred for their recharging capability. 

The latest NiMH batteries are a direct competitor of NiCad batteries in the rechargeable battery scene. They are more environmentally friendly and have the quality of not being flammable. But NiMH batteries discharge faster and are costlier than NiCad batteries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is NiCad batteries better than lithium-ion batteries?

No. Lithium-ion batteries are better than NiCad batteries. lithium-ion batteries do not discharge if left unused but NiCad batteries do discharge at a 20% per month rate. 

Q. Is the NiCad battery costlier than other batteries?

No. NiCad batteries are more reasonable than Lithium-ion and NiMH batteries. They have a low capacity than other batteries but high recharge and discharge rate, which makes them more users pocket-friendly.

Q. Should I switch to NiCad batteries instead of Alkaline batteries?

You can switch to a NiCad battery from an Alkaline battery. It is more cost-effective. But bear in mind that the NiCad battery will have a little less power than the Alkaline battery. NiCad shines for being a rechargeable option.

Conclusion

NiCad batteries have been here for quite a long time. And it has been used heavily in a lot of electrical equipment. It is hard to say if lithium-ion and NiMH batteries will take over soon. But NiCad batteries will stay in the battery business for more than they are expected to.