Pros and Cons of Lithium Ion Batteries

The lithium-ion battery is very popular in a wide range of household electronics. They are common in items like MP3 players, phones, PDAs and laptops. Similar to other technologies, the lithium-ion battery has a wide range of pros and cons.

The pros:

High energy density - A major benefit is the high energy density of the lithium-ion battery. This gives the battery a high-power rating while still remaining at a relatively small size. The compact size makes it a popular choice in the mobile industry.

Low maintenance - There is no need to provide maintenance to the batteries to maintain their performance. Other types of batteries, such as the nickel-based units require a regular discharge to maintain optimal performance.

Quick charging - the lithium-ion battery is quick charging. The time-frame to fully charge is a lot less than alternatives in the market. This is a major reason why they are used in phones and tablets that are in need of the daily charging with regular use.

Light - They are relatively lightweight and small which makes them a practical choice in a wide-range of applications. In addition to small items like a phone, they are also a popular choice for electric cars and golf carts. Plus, they are commonly used in the aerospace industry.

Low self-discharge - The majority of batteries lose a certain amount of charge after disconnecting from a power source. But, the lithium-ion battery has a discharge rate that is much lower than other types of batteries. For instance, nickel-cadmium would lose its charge at a much faster rate even if the battery is left unused.

Longevity - This type of battery has great longevity and continues to give reliable performance over a very long period. Plus, they can receive a regular charge without seeing much of a difference in its capacity.

The cons:

Expensive - The process of making the lithium-ion battery is quite long and expensive. On average, this type of battery costs nearly 40 percent more to produce compared to the nickel-cadmium battery.

Transportation - It isn't the easiest type of battery to transport and has several restrictions in place. For instance, it isn't possible to transport the lithium-ion battery in high volume by air. However, it is still possible to fly with a few devices with the batteries in general luggage.

Circuit protection - The usable lifespan can be shortened if the battery is regularly overcharged. Also, these batteries have a built-in protection circuit to maintain the current and voltage and guarantee it is kept within safe limits.

Find out more about the choices and uses of the lithium ion battery pack.


 By Leo Eigenberg

Article Source: Pros and Cons of Lithium Ion Batteries

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