Series vs Parallel Battery- Difference, Connection And Cycle Life

Batteries are one of the best advancements in the field of technology that allows us to have portable power delivery to different devices. This has brought so many innovations in our lives and made our lives very easier than before.

However, these batteries can not only be used as a single unit. These can be connected in different configurations to provide better output according to our desires. The most popular configurations of connecting batteries are series configuration and parallel configuration.

Although most of the people use them, they do not know the benefits and properties of these connection configurations. If you also want to know all about the connecting configurations of the battery, here we will discuss all about them in detail.

What is different in series connection and parallel connection of batteries?

This is the most common question about the batteries connected in different configurations. Here we will discuss these connection configurations in all different aspects.

Physical Difference

Here is the physical difference between the series connection and the parallel connection of the batteries.

Series Connection

Here the terminals of the batteries are connected in a series circuit. This means that the positive terminal of battery is connected to the negative terminal of some other battery. This connection is continued for as many batteries as required.

Parallel Connection

In the parallel connection, the similar terminals of all the batteries are connected. It means that the positive terminals of all batteries are connected and the negative terminals of all the batteries are connected.

Chemical Difference

The chemical difference can be considered as the difference in the flow of electrons in series and parallel circuits. Here we will discuss it for both connection configurations.

Series connection.

As the different terminals of batteries are connected to form a series circuit. The electrons of each battery have to pass through the next battery unless the circuit is completed.

Parallel Connection

In parallel connection, the electrons of each battery are supplied to the load via the same wire and they do not have to pass through any battery. However, if the batteries are different in size or the health of one battery is worse than other batteries, then the electrons of other batteries will try to charge that battery.

The difference is the specifications.

If we talk about the specifications, there are many different things. Those are elaborated below.

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• Overall Current Of The Circuit

The total current of the circuit is kept the same in the series circuit whereas it is increased in parallel circuit.

• Overall Voltage Of The Circuit

The total voltage of the circuit is kept the same in the parallel circuit whereas it is increased in series circuit.

• Overall Capacity Of The Circuit

The total capacity of the circuit is increased in parallel circuits. It will not increase in the series circuit.

Which is better batteries in series or parallel?

Another most common question about the connection configuration of the batteries is that which configuration is better and why.

Here we can say that it is not like series is better or parallel is better. It is because the load and its requirements are different in all cases. Here we will discuss different cases and better connection configurations according to their types.

Depends on the need for voltage for your load.

Consider that you have a load that needs the voltage of the overall system to be increased, in this case, you will get better efficiency from the series connection of batteries. It is because the voltage of the system is increased in a series circuit.

However, if the load needs the voltage to stay constant, you can use a parallel connection configuration. It is because the parallel connection keeps the voltage the same.

Depends on the need of current for your load.

If the load requires increased current in the circuit, then a parallel connection will be the best option. It is because the current is increased in parallel connection. In a circuit, where the current is not required to increase, a series connection will be the optimal solution.

Depends on the need of capacity for your load.

If the main need of the load is to have increased capacity from the batteries, then it will be better to use the batteries in parallel connection. It is because the total capacity is increased in parallel connection.

If your load has mixed requirements, you can connect the batteries in Series-Parallel or Parallel-Series connection to match the requirements.

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Do batteries last longer than parallel or series?

Another mostly asked thing is that the battery connection will last longer in a series connection or parallel connection. If you also want to know this, here we will discuss it in the form of different factors.

Life Of The Batteries For One Charge Cycle

So, if we take the example of one complete charge cycle, we will see a significant difference in the batteries lasting longer in parallel configuration. It is because the total capacity of the batteries is increased in the parallel connection. In the series connection, the batteries will not last as long as in parallel connection.

The Overall Life Of The Batteries

The life of the batteries is defined in the term of charge cycles. Consider that a battery has a life of 1000 charge cycles, this means that you can fully charge and discharge that battery about 1000 times. So, now when you connect the similar batteries in series, you will see that the charge cycle will not last long as in parallel connection.

From this, we can say that the charge cycles are reserved better in the parallel connection so the batteries will last longer in parallel connection.

How to get the best results?

Consider that you are in a situation where the life of batteries is a very important thing, but you also need increased voltage which is only possible in series connection.

This will be a very disturbing situation because you cannot decide whether to use series or parallel connection.

In this case, to get the best blend of battery life and power you can connect the batteries in Series-Parallel or Parallel-Series according to your requirements.

Conclusion

Battery connection configuration is a major concern for many people. This is because this can change several things in a circuit. If you wanted to know all about different connection configurations of batteries, then you are at the right place. It is because here we discussed everything to answer all your questions regarding battery connection configurations.