Complete Guide to Common Types of Batteries

Batteries are indispensable in daily life, powering everything from remote control devices to power tools. This guide covers the most common battery types, their characteristics, and applications to help you make informed choices.

How many kinds of batteries are there? These cells that convert chemical energy into electrical energy can be broadly categorised into two types: primary (single-use) and secondary (rechargeable) batteries. Common battery types include Alkaline, Lithium-ion, and Lead-acid, each with unique applications and characteristics.

Primary batteries, also known as non-rechargeable batteries, are designed to be used once and then disposed of. Their key advantage lies in their convenience and reliability for low-drain applications or devices. They are ideal for situations where a long shelf life is needed and recharging is not practical, such as remote control devices for air-conditioning units and wireless mice.

Types of batteries suitable for single-use purposes include:

• Alkaline Batteries: The most common type of battery found in households, powering everyday items like remote controls, flashlights, and toys. They offer a good balance of cost and performance for general-purpose use.
• Lithium Batteries: These battery types offer a higher energy density and a significantly longer shelf life compared to alkaline batteries. They are often used in high-drain devices like digital cameras or in applications that require long-term, reliable power, such as smoke detectors.
• Zinc-Carbon Batteries: These budget-friendly batteries are best suited for low-drain devices like wall clocks or simple calculators, where their lower capacity and shorter lifespan are not a significant drawback.

Secondary batteries are designed to be recharged and reused multiple times, offering significant long-term value and environmental benefits. They are ideal for high-drain devices that are used frequently, like consumer electronics and power tools, where constantly replacing single-use batteries would be either too costly, inconvenient, or both.

Different types of batteries that can be reused include:

• Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries: Often used in household devices like digital cameras and remote-controlled toys. They have a higher capacity than older NiCd batteries and are more environmentally friendly.
• Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) Batteries: These once common battery types were used in power tools and medical equipment for their durability and high discharge rate; they are now less popular due to the toxicity of cadmium.
• Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) Batteries: The most popular type of rechargeable battery today, powering smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. They offer high energy density and are relatively lightweight.
• Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄) Batteries: A battery type known for its enhanced safety, longer lifespan, and stability. They are increasingly used in large-scale applications like solar energy storage systems and electric vehicles.

A battery circuit breaker is not a battery at all, but a safety device that interrupts the flow of electrical current when it goes beyond safe limits. While the function of a miniature circuit breaker is similar to that of a fuse, there is a critical difference. Unlike single-use fuses, which burn and then break the circuit, circuit breakers are reusable as they can simply be manually reset after a fault.

Voltage acts as a source of pressure that pushes electricity through a circuit. It also determines how much power a battery can supply. Most consumer electronics in Malaysia, like remote controls and toys, are designed for types of batteries such as standard 1.5V alkaline or 1.2V rechargeable cells.

Vehicles such as cars and motorcycles typically rely on a 12V lead-acid battery to power their electrical systems. When dealing with imported devices, always check the voltage rating on the device or in the user manual. Using a battery with the incorrect voltage for a device can cause damage to the device due to overheating or permanent malfunction. Always ensure that your battery's nominal voltage matches the device's specifications to avoid accidentally damaging your device.

Battery Safety and Standards

To prevent safety hazards, it's crucial to ensure you only use battery types that meet approved standards. In Malaysia, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) and the Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM) work to safeguard battery safety and standards.

KPDN oversees and enforces the Consumer Protection (Safety Standards for Primary Batteries) Regulations, while the DSM develops national standards like MS IEC 60086-4:2017 for the safety of lithium batteries.

Consumers can practise good battery safety habits by choosing SIRIM-approved batteries or those from reputable brands and making sure they only purchase batteries that carry the Malaysian Conformity (MC) safety mark.

Battery Recycling and Disposal

With the rise of sustainable technology and environmental awareness, it’s no surprise that more Malaysian companies are rolling out recyclable, and biodegradable packaging. Batteries have also come under the increasing scrutiny of the government, with four waste recycling facilities approved by the Department of Environment for processing e-waste including cadmium, nickel, and lithium batteries.

• Hazardous Waste: Battery types containing toxic chemicals and heavy metals are classified as SW103 under Malaysia's Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005. Proper disposal procedures must be adhered to, as these types of batteries have the potential to pose a serious environmental and health risk by contaminating landfills, soil, and water.
• Recycle, Don't Trash: Never throw batteries in general waste bins. Look for dedicated e-waste collection points at shopping malls (e.g., IPC Shopping Centre in Damansara), specialised recycling companies that provide pick-up services (e.g., ERTH), or retail outlets (e.g., Senheng stores).
• Safety First: Before disposal, tape the terminals of lithium batteries to prevent short-circuits and fire hazards. Store them in a non-metal container, and be sure to handle any leaking batteries with care.

In this guide, we've covered the fundamentals of batteries, from understanding the difference between common battery types to their ideal applications. We've also explained how to prevent damage and ensure proper functionality by matching the battery's voltage to your device's specified requirement. Last but not least, we delved into how you can promote environmental safety by recycling your batteries, or ensuring that they are properly disposed of.