18650 Battery Configurations- Introduction and Comparison

Being the best batteries according to their specifications and size, these batteries are widely used. Because they are widely used, they are used in different configurations. Due to the ability to be used in different configurations, these batteries have gained a lot of attention in the past some time.

So, here we will discuss some facts about the different configurations of these batteries.

What are 18650 battery configurations

Different devices need different amounts of current and voltage. Some even require different capacity from their battery. But it is not very efficient to create a new battery standard for every product. That is why 18650 batteries are used as a standard in most of the appliances and products and they are connected in different configurations.

The way of connecting 2 or more batteries in a system is called the configuration of the batteries.

Types of configuration:

There are 3 main types of configurations of batteries. These are:

1.Serial.

2.Parallel.

3.Mixed

The Serial configuration means that the batteries are connected in such a way that the positive end of one is connected to the negative end of the other. When all the batteries are connected to the remaining ends of the first and the last batteries are connected to the circuit. This creates a serial connection.

The Parallel configuration means that the positive ends of all the batteries and the negative ends of all the batteries are connected. After connecting them, the positive and negative ends of these batteries are connected to the circuit. This creates a parallel connection.

The Mixed configuration of connecting the 18650 batteries means that first some batteries are connected in one type of connection. After connecting them separately, they are connected. This creates a serial-parallel or a parallel-serial connection.

Serial parallel means that the batteries were first connected into the parallel configuration. Then these parallel connections were connected in serial. Parallel serial means that the batteries were first connected in a serial configuration, then these connected batteries are connected in a parallel configuration.

These types of complex configurations are used in large scale electronic devices like huge battery packs or electric cars.

Does every battery have configuration

Yes, every battery has a configuration. We use 18650 batteries and connect them in different ways. By connecting them we make a certain configuration of the batteries. Here we will discuss how and why a battery gets a different configuration.

Depends on the circuit that you are using.

The first thing that affects the configuration of the battery is the circuit. The needs of the circuit decide whether the battery will be connected in serial or parallel connection configuration.

Different needs from the batteries.

One of the major causes of connecting batteries in different configurations is that more voltage or current is needed. When we connect the batteries in parallel, the voltage across each of them remains the same but the current is increased. Connecting more batteries in parallel will significantly increase the current through the circuit.

On the other hand, connecting the batteries in serial connection keeps the current through the circuit the same but the voltage is added with each battery. This makes the batteries connected in serial connection perfect for high voltage demands.

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Different examples of devices using 18650 batteries in different configurations.

These are some devices and products that use 18650 batteries in different configurations.

High power flashlights use two or more 18650 batteries in serial. This is because they require a lot of voltage to provide enough power to their big diodes. Serial connection provides enough voltage to the flashlight batteries that their diodes can light up bright enough.

Power banks use 18650 batteries in parallel connection. This is because they need a lot of capacity so parallel-connected batteries can provide huge storage capacities and good current delivery while keeping the voltage small enough to charge mobiles and tablets.

Electric cars use 18650 batteries and they use them in mixed configurations. This is because they need a lot of voltage, current, and storage capacity at the same time. Mixed configuration is the perfect way to achieve all of these together.

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Are serial and parallel battery configurations different

Yes, there is a huge difference between these configurations. Here we will discuss all the differences that occur when the batteries are connected in different configurations.

Serial Configuration

These are the specifications that are gained when batteries are connected in a serial configuration.

The Amount of Current

As the batteries are connected one after the other, the amount of current remains the same throughout the system.

The Amount of Voltage

When the batteries are connected in a serial configuration, each battery provides power after the other and the voltage keeps on combining. When the last battery comes, the voltage of each battery is added. This means in a serial connection of 10 batteries of 2.7 volts each, we will get a total of 37 volts for the system.

The capacity of the whole battery system

The number of the batteries does not matter, If the batteries are connected in a serial configuration, the capacity will stay the same.

Parallel Configuration

These values are changed when the batteries are connected in parallel configuration

The Amount of Current

In parallel configuration, the current of each battery is added so the current increases.

The Amount of Voltage

As the batteries are connected in a parallel configuration, there is no effect on the voltage of the system.

The Capacity of the Whole Battery System

In a parallel configuration, the capacity of batteries increases.

Mixed Configuration

In mixed configuration, the voltage, the current, and the storage capacity, all three of these are increased. This is the most practical configuration for the power-hungry applications. This is the reason this type of configuration is used in electric cars and huge battery packs.

Conclusion

This was all about the different configurations of the 18650 batteries. By reading this, you can be able to select which type of configuration suits your needs in the best way.