AA battery

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An AA size rechargeable cell, manufactured by Energizer.

An AA battery also called "double A" or Mignon battery refers to IEC-LR6 battery.[1] It is one of the standard sizes of batteries. Batteries of this size are most commonly used in portable electronic devices. An AA battery is composed of a single electrochemical cell. The exact terminal voltage and capacity of an AA size battery depends on the cell chemistry. AA batteries account for over 50% of general battery sales.

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History [edit]

The AA battery size was standardized by the American National Standards Institute in 1947, but had been used in flashlights and electrical novelties for some time before formal standardization. Battery nomenclature gives different designations depending on cell size and chemistry. For example, a zinc–carbon (Leclanché) AA cell is designated "15" by ANSI, and R6 in the IEC system.

Dimensions [edit]

D, C, AA, AAA, AAAA & 9-volt batteries

An AA battery measures 50.5 mm (1.99 in) in length—50.1 mm (1.97 in) without the button terminal—and 13.5–14.5 mm (0.53–0.57 in) in diameter.[2]

Alkaline AA batteries have a weight of roughly 23 g (0.81 oz), lithium AA batteries have a mass around 15 g (0.53 oz), and rechargeable NiMH batteries around 31 g (1.1 oz).[citation needed]

Chemistry and capacity [edit]

Primary cells [edit]

Primary (non-rechargeable) zinc–carbon (dry cell) AA batteries have around 400–900 milliamp-hours capacity, with measured capacity highly dependent on test conditions, duty cycle, and cut-off voltage. Zinc–carbon batteries are usually marketed as "general purpose" batteries. Zinc-chloride batteries store around 1000 to 1500 mAh are often sold as "heavy duty" or "super heavy duty". Alkaline batteries from 1700 mAh to 3000 mAh cost a little more than zinc-chloride batteries, but last proportionally longer.

Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are manufactured for devices that drain a large amount of power such as digital cameras, where their high cost is offset by longer running time between battery changes and more constant voltage during discharge.

Rechargeable cells [edit]

A solar-powered charger for rechargeable AA batteries

Rechargeable batteries in the AA size are available in multiple chemistries. Nickel–cadmium (NiCd) with a capacity of 500–1100 mAh[citation needed], Nickel–metal hydride (NiMH) in various capacities of 1300–2700 mAh[citation needed] and lithium ion. Lithium ion chemistry has a nominal voltage of 3.6 volts. They are referred to as 14500 li-ion batteries.

Nickel-zinc (NiZn) AAs are also available, but not widely so.

Comparison [edit]

Type Zinc–carbon Alkaline Li-FeS2 NiCd NiMH NiZn
IEC name R6 LR6 FR6 KR6 HR6 ZR6
ANSI/NEDA name 15D 15A 15LF 1.2K2 1.2H2  ?
Capacity under 500mA constant drain 400-1700 mAh 1800-2600 mAh 2700-3400 mAh 600– 1000 mAh 800–2850 mAh 1500-1800 mAh
Nominal voltage 1.5 V 1.5 V 1.5 V 1.2 V 1.2 V 1.65 V
Rechargeable No No No[3] Yes Yes Yes

Use [edit]

In 2011, AA batteries accounted for approximately 60% of alkaline battery sales in the United States. In Japan, 58% of alkaline batteries sold were AA. In Switzerland, AA batteries totaled 55% in both primary and secondary (rechargeable) battery sales.[4][5][6]

See also [edit]

References [edit]

External links [edit]