How Does 3200 mAh  Lithium Battery Work?

We rely significantly on portable electronic devices to keep connected, educated, and entertained in today’s fast-paced environment. We have grown accustomed to relying on these gadgets for a variety of functions, from smartphones and tablets to laptops and portable power stations. Making sure that our devices have adequate battery life to last the entire day is one of our toughest difficulties, though. Here is where the idea of mAh comes into play.

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mAh, short for milliampere-hour, is a unit of measurement used to indicate the capacity of a battery. In this blog, we will delve into the details of mAh, explaining what it is, how it works, and why it matters for consumers. We will cover the basics of electricity and battery technology, and explain how mAh is used to measure the amount of energy a battery can store. By the end of this blog, you will have a better understanding of mAh and its role in battery life, allowing you to make more informed decisions when choosing electronic devices.

Before we can dive into mAh and battery capacity, we need to understand the basics of electricity and battery technology. At its core, electricity is the flow of charged particles (usually electrons) through a conductor, such as a wire. This flow of electricity can be harnessed to power electronic devices.

Batteries are devices that store electrical energy chemically and release it as needed. When a battery is connected to a circuit, a chemical reaction occurs between the electrodes and the electrolyte, generating a flow of electrons through the circuit.

There are many types of batteries, but the most common type used in portable electronic devices is the lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries are lightweight, rechargeable, and have a high energy density (meaning they can store a lot of energy in a small space). However, they are also expensive to produce and can be dangerous if not handled properly.

Now that we have a basic understanding of battery technology, we can delve into the concept of mAh. Simply put, mAh is a measure of how much electrical charge a battery can hold. Specifically, it represents the amount of current that a battery can supply for one hour before it is fully discharged.

The milliampere-hour is a small unit of measurement, with one milliampere-hour equaling one-thousandth of an ampere-hour (Ah). This means that a battery with a capacity of 3,000 mAh can supply 3 amps of current for one hour, or 1.5 amps for two hours, and so on.

It is important to note that mAh is not the only factor that determines battery life. Other factors, such as the type of device, the screen brightness, and the usage patterns, can also have a significant impact on battery life. However, mAh is a good starting point for understanding battery capacity and comparing different devices.

Now that we understand what mAh is, let’s take a closer look at how it affects battery life. In general, the higher the mAh rating of a battery, the longer it will last between charges. For example, a smartphone with a 3,000 mAh battery will typically last longer than a smartphone with a 2,000 mAh battery.

However, it is important to note that battery life is not linear. In other words, a battery with twice the mAh rating will not necessarily last twice as long. This is because the energy requirements of a device are not constant, but rather vary depending on the usage patterns. For example, watching videos or playing games on a smartphone will drain the battery much faster than simply browsing the web or checking emails.

In addition, battery life can also be affected by other factors such as the device’s screen size and resolution, the type of processor and graphics chip used, and the software optimization. For example, a high-end smartphone with a 4K display and a powerful processor will typically have a shorter battery life than a budget smartphone with a 720p display and a less powerful processor, even if both devices have the same mAh rating.

Furthermore, battery life can also be affected by external factors such as the temperature and the charging habits. Extreme temperatures, either too hot or too cold, can cause the battery to degrade faster, while improper charging habits, such as overcharging or using a non-certified charger, can also damage the battery and reduce its capacity.

Now that we understand how mAh affects battery life, we can use this knowledge to make more informed decisions when choosing electronic devices. When comparing devices, it is important to consider the mAh rating as well as other factors such as the screen size, processor, and software optimization.

For example, if battery life is a top priority, then choosing a device with a higher mAh rating may be a good option. On the other hand, if portability and weight are more important, then choosing a device with a smaller battery and a lower mAh rating may be a better choice.

In addition, it is important to consider the overall value and features of the device, as well as the brand reputation and customer service. A device with a high mAh rating may not necessarily be the best choice if it lacks other important features or has a poor reputation for reliability.

The early Li-ion battery was considered fragile and unsuitable for high loads. This has changed, and today lithium-based systems stand shoulder to shoulder with the robust nickel and lead chemistries. Two basic types of Li-ion have emerged: The Energy Cell and the Power Cell.

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The performance of these two battery types is characterized by energy storage, also known as capacity, and current delivery, also known as loading or power. Energy and power characteristics are defined by particle size on the electrodes. Larger particles increase the surface area for maximum capacity and fine material decreases it for high power.

Decreasing particle size lowers the presence of electrolyte that fills the voids. The volume of electrolyte within the cell determines battery capacity. Decreasing the particle size reduces the voids between the particles, thereby lowering the electrolyte content. Too little electrolyte reduces ionic mobility and affects performance. Think of a drying felt pen that needs recuperating to keep marking papers.

Li-ion Energy Cell

The Li-ion Energy Cell is made for maximum capacity to provide long runtimes. The Panasonic NCRB Energy Cell (Figure 1) has high capacity but is less enduring when discharged at 2C. At the discharge cutoff of 3.0V/cell, the 2C discharge produces only about 2.3Ah rather than the specified 3.2Ah. This cell is ideal for portable computing and similar light duties.

The 3,200mAh Energy Cell is discharged at 0.2C, 0.5C, 1C and 2C. The circle at the 3.0V/cell line marks the end-of-discharge point at 2C.

Cold temperature losses:

• 25°C (77°F) = 100%
• 0°C (32°F) = ~83%
• –10°C (14°F) = ~66%
• –20°C (4°F) = ~53%

Li-ion Power Cell

The Panasonic URRX Power Cell (Figure 2) has a moderate capacity but excellent load capabilities. A 10A (5C) discharge has minimal capacity loss at the 3.0V cutoff voltage. This cell works well for applications requiring heavy load current, such as power tools.

The mAh Power Cell is discharged at 0.2C, 0.5C, 1C and 2C and 10A. All reach the 3.0V/cell cut-off line at about mAh. The Power Cell has moderate capacity but delivers high current.

Cold temperature losses:

• 25°C (77°F) = 100%
• 0°C (32°F) = ~92%
• –10°C (14°F) = ~85%
• –20°C (4°F) = ~80%

The Li-ion Power Cell permits a continuous discharge of 10C. This means that an cell rated at 2,000mAh can provide a continuous load of 20A (30A with Li-phosphate). The superior performance is achieved in part by lowering the internal resistance and by optimizing the surface area of active cell materials. Low resistance enables high current flow with minimal temperature rise. Running at the maximum permissible discharge current, the Li-ion Power Cell heats to about 50ºC (122ºF); the temperature is limited to 60ºC (140ºF).

To meet the loading requirements, the pack designer can either use a Power Cell to meet the discharge C-rate requirement or go for the Energy Cell and oversize the pack. The Energy Cell holds about 50 percent more capacity than the Power Cell, but the loading must be reduced. This can be done by oversizing the pack, a method the Tesla EVs use. The battery achieves exceptional runtime but it gets expensive and heavy.

LiFePO4 Power Cell

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) is also available in the format offering high cycle life and superior loading performance, but low specific energy (capacity). Table 3 compares specifications of common lithium-based architectures. More information is on BU-205: Types of Lithium-ion.

Chemistry Nominal V Capacity Energy Cycle life Loading Note Li-ion Energy 3.6V/cell 3,200mAh 11.5Wh ~ 1C (light load only) Slow charge (<1C) Li-ion Power 3.6V/cell 2,000mAh 7.2Wh ~ 5C (continuous large load) Good temp. range LiFePO4 3.3V/cell 1,200mAh 3.9Wh ~ 25C (very large cont. load) Robust, safe

Discharge Signature

One of the unique qualities of nickel- and lithium-based batteries is the ability to deliver continuous high power until the battery is exhausted; a fast electrochemical recovery makes it possible. Lead acid is slower and this can be compared to a drying felt pen that works for short markings on paper and then needs rest to replenish the ink. While the recovery is relatively fast on discharge, and this can be seen when cranking the engine, the slow chemical reaction becomes obvious when charging. This only gets worse with age.

A battery may discharge at a steady load of, say, 0.2C as in a flashlight, but many applications demand momentary loads at double and triple the battery’s C-rating. GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) for a mobile is such an example (Figure 4). GSM loads the battery with up to 2A at a pulse rate of 577 micro-seconds (μs). This places a large demand on a small battery; however, with a high frequency, the battery begins to behave more like a large capacitor and the battery characteristics change.

In terms of longevity, a battery prefers moderate current at a constant discharge rather than a pulsed or momentary high load. Figure 5 demonstrates the decreasing capacity of a NiMH battery at different load conditions from a gentle 0.2C DC discharge, an analog discharge to a pulsed discharge. Most batteries follow a similar pattern in terms of load conditions, including Li-ion.

Figure 6 examines the number of full cycles a Li-ion Energy Cell can endure when discharged at different C-rates. At a 2C discharge, the battery exhibits far higher stress than at 1C, limiting the cycle count to about 450 before the capacity drops to half the level.

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Simple Guidelines for Discharging Batteries

• Heat increases battery performance but shortens life by a factor of two for every 10°C increase above 25–30°C (18°F above 77–86°F). Always keep the battery cool.
• Prevent over-discharging. Cell reversal can cause an electrical short.
• On high load and repetitive full discharges, reduce stress by using a larger battery.
• A moderate DC discharge is better for a battery than pulse and heavy momentary loads.
• A battery exhibits capacitor-like characteristics when discharging at high frequency. This allows higher peak currents than is possible with a DC load.
• Nickel- and lithium-based batteries have a fast chemical reaction; lead acid is sluggish and requires a few seconds to recover between heavy loads.
• All batteries suffer stress when stretched to maximum permissible tolerances.

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