Discharge Characteristics of Lithium Ion Batteries

There are many batteries invented and used over the time for portable devices. In early ages, the batteries used were so fragile and hard to use because of their opened parts and the high liquid discharge form their bodies. They were hard to use, kept, and store. However, in 1826 when lithium ion batteries were first invented, they took over industries and till now they are the most favored batteries in the field of portable industries.

Lithium Ion Batteries – Batteries with Low Discharge:

Lithium ion batteries contain so many chemicals inside them while lithium has an excessive amount of ions. These batteries have longer life and very discharge power at quite a low rate than other batteries of same kind. Another quality that lithium ion batteries are known for is their low-self-discharge ability.

What Is Self-Discharge And How Why It Is Important?

Lithium ion batteries and other batteries made of chemicals that are always circulating inside them. After every charge the amount of chemical is melted and it exerts out of the batteries. This is called self-discharge of the batteries. The chemical, these batteries emit is the life of battery. However, the emission is also necessary or else the batteries can explode and harm themselves, devices, and the people around them. However, the amount of discharge can be decreased and that’s the reason latest lithium ion batteries have low self-discharge ability.

However, there are some more discharge characteristics of lithium ion batteries and that are given as below:

What Are The Discharge Characteristics Of Lithium Ion Batteries?

The best discharge characteristic when it comes to lithium ion batteries is that, it discharges at a very low rate. That means, it keeps spreading current to the device or devices until it gets completely exhausted or emptied. This is because, these batteries have fast electrochemical recovery that makes long lasting power of li ion batteries possible. When these batteries are put on charge once again, the slow chemical reactions start to happen and the battery again start to get life. However, as the li ion batteries also used to self-discharge with time, hence we can say their discharge characteristics get worse only when batteries get older, specifically after two to three years of purchase.

Another discharge characteristic of the lithium ion batteries is their size. The size of the battery doesn’t affect the strength of the battery or it’s discharging time. However, it will has low amount of ions in it therefore, it works for smaller devices. Let me explain you with an example.

Suppose that a battery put inside a flashlight for lighting has a steady discharge rate. Suppose the discharge rate of the battery is 0.2C. However, we have also devices that require more loads that the C-rating of battery such as a mobile phone. The batteries used in mobiles have a load of 2A while its pulse rate is 577 per each microsecond. It means, when you put same battery of the flashlight in the mobile phone it will discharge faster because a pressure has been put on the small battery and so it drain faster. Nevertheless, lithium ion batteries are intelligent batteries hence their discharge characteristics can be changed with high frequency.

When it comes to making the battery life longer, the batteries support a constant discharge instead of pulsed loads or momentary high loads. You can see it by experiments as well and therefore support constant discharge of the batteries in order to keep its life longer and discharge characteristic higher.

What Is The Self Discharge Rate Of Lithium Ion Batteries?

As detailed above that self-discharge rate of the lithium ion batteries is comparatively too low compared to other batteries. It discharges at a very low amount on yearly basis and that’s why preferred by the industries and industrialists. However, if you ask the exact and specific discharge rate of lithium ion batteries it is two percent to three percent per month. It means that every month, a lithium ion battery will discharge a 2 to 3 percent of its inside fluid.

How Do You Control The Discharge Status Of lithium ion battery?

Well, the discharge rate of the batteries mentioned above is related to health lithium ion battery. Your use of battery can increase or decrease the discharge rate. It means, the life of your lithium ion battery is based on your use. You can enhance it and you can decrease it. Remember, a battery that’s used roughly has high discharge rate and loses its life faster. On the other hand, a battery with proper and right use has low discharge rate and has longer life.

If you want to control your battery’s discharge status, follow the following rules:

1.Do not over charge your battery:

You will have to keep an eye over the charging time of your battery. Every battery comes with instructions of its charging time. A normal li ion battery is recommended to charge for two hours only.

2.Do Not Let Your Battery Drain Completely:

Secondly, it is not recommended that you use entire power of the battery before recharge. When you see that your battery’s charging has remained to 30 percent, put it on charge and recharge it.

3.Do Not Put Batteries Under Sunshine or Basements:

Thirdly, li ion batteries are temperature sensitive batteries and a rise in temperature can cause high discharge of chemicals. Therefore, do not keep them in areas with high temperature.

4.Discharge Batteries Before storing them:

If you are intended to store batteries for months, it is recommended that you do not store a charged battery. Drain it first, not fully but up to 40 percent and then store it somewhere safe.

5.Store batteries at cool places:

Last but not the least, use a cool place to store your battery. Some people have kept them inside refrigerators. Well, it doesn’t harm your batteries all you need is a static shock before recharging them. However, we recommend that you store them at a moderate temperature.