Comparing the Pros and Cons of Different Battery Capacity Measurement Units

Batteries fulfill the primary purpose of providing portable power backup to electronics around us. Small gadgets like smartphones, laptops, etc., and batteries are also used for powering bigger things like residential power backup units. In either case, measuring the battery capacity for efficient usage and ample backup is essential. One of the problems people face is the different measurement units.

Since different units are used for measuring battery capacity, we will share the common ones and compare the pros and cons you must know.

What is the best way to compare battery capacity?

When comparing the battery capacity, we usually use 2 methods: Ampere-hours and Watt-hours. Each has different technical importance, and the benefits differ as well.

Ampere-hours or AH represents amperes (of current) that a battery can provide consistently for an hour.

Watt-hour or Wh is the representation of energy a battery can produce for one hour time. Since we use energy here, it is calculated by multiplying the battery capacity in Ah with the battery volts.

Among these two methods, Ah is usually used as milliampere-hours or mAh, and it is famous for smaller batteries like gadgets and smartphones. On the other hand, Watt-hour is used as kilowatt-hour, famous for using bigger batteries like those used for portable power supplies or backup energy units.

What is the best way to compare battery capacity?  

Among these two, using Watt-hour is better because it includes the Ah value for the battery and considers its voltage rating. It gives a better understanding of the battery capacity when implemented in real-life applications.

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Pros:

When using this system, you can use different voltage batteries with the same Wh rating in one system.

Wh system gives the idea of complete energy storage instead of only information about charge like in Ah.

Integrating batteries with renewable energy production becomes easier with standardized comparison.

Cons:

If you understand the mAh system better, getting used to the Wh system might be a little confusing.

It may not be a better option for those systems where you don't need to consider the voltage from a battery since the whole system runs on a standard voltage from the battery. For example, smartphones.

What is the difference between 1C and 3C batteries?

Today we have multiple battery technologies available that differ in several ways. One of the ways is the charge and discharge rates of the battery. It is about the battery current relative to the overall capacity of the battery. The most common type of batteries in this category are 1C and 3C batteries, and here is a detailed comparison between these two.

1C Battery

1C battery can be discharged or charged at the rate of 1 ampere if that battery has a 1000Ah capacity. For example, if a 1000Ah battery is a 1C battery, it will have a discharge rate of 1 ampere or 1000 milli amperes.

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Pros:

These batteries provide a longer life cycle thanks to the slow 1C charge and discharge rates.

The chances of thermal events and battery failure due to the slow charging and discharging rates put less stress on the battery.

Since the battery discharges slowly, it can easily maintain a consistent voltage throughout the discharge curve.

Cons:

Not suitable for high power output in a short time

High power in a short time will require a huge sized 1C battery

3C Battery

3C battery can be discharged or charged at the rate of 3 amperes if that battery has a 1000Ah capacity. For example, if a 1000Ah battery is a 3C battery, it will have a discharge rate of 3 amperes or 3000 milli amperes.

Pros:

3C batteries can provide a lot of power in a short time

High power can be obtained from small-sized batteries without any issues

Cons:

The chances of thermal events increase due to high charge or discharge rates

The cycle life is short due to the battery charging and discharging quickly

The total stress on these batteries is high, and they often face voltage sag due to the high discharge rate.

What is the difference between battery-rated capacity and capacity?

When we talk about the capacities of a battery, we often come across 2 similar terms known as rated capacity and capacity. These are often confused while they have different meanings.

Rated capacity

The rated capacity of a battery is the total energy a battery can store under standardized conditions. It is the theoretical value that does not apply to real-world usage conditions since it neglects multiple factors. This rating is often found on battery labels with units like Ah, mAh, Wh, or kWh.

Capacity

When we talk about battery capacity, the actual capacity of the same battery is calculated after considering all the real-world factors like load, age, temperature, discharge rate, current conditions, etc. This capacity is not mentioned on the battery label and is usually used for measuring battery health and performance.

The Key Differences in Rated Capacity and Capacity

Now that you have a basic overview of the battery-rated and actual capacity, here are the key differences you must know about both.

1.Determination Base

Rated capacity is a standardized number under certain circumstances. However, actual capacity might change depending on use and conditions in the real world.

2.Consistency

The battery's rated capacity (a set value written on it) stays the same throughout its life. On the other hand, wear, aging, and other variables might cause the real capacity to diminish with time.

3.Application

Comparing batteries' rated capacities might help you understand how well a new battery could operate. A battery's actual capacity may be used to evaluate its present condition.

Conclusion

Every battery can provide a limited amount f energy backup, and to ensure that the backup power never runs out, we need to take capacity measurements and use the right number of batteries. This practice keeps the whole system running efficiently with portable power. However, capacity measurement units can vary according to the type and application.