Battery letters signify size and configuration. ‘AA’, ‘AAA’, ‘C’, ‘D’ are cylindrical batteries with increasing size. ‘9V’ is rectangular. Coin batteries use letters/numbers (like CR2032) where ‘CR’ denotes lithium chemistry, ’20’ is diameter (mm), and ’32’ is height (0.1mm).
The first letter identifies the chemical composition of the battery, which also implies a nominal voltage. It is common to refer to the negative electrode first in IEC battery definitions. Italics indicate a chemical system unlikely to be found in consumer or general-purpose batteries, or withdrawn from the current standard. Shape codes are:
The myriad of batteries available can be confusing, especially with the variety of letters and numbers that label them. These labels, however, are not arbitrary; they hold essential information about the battery’s size, chemistry, and configuration.
Car battery numbers provide essential information such as group size, cold cranking amps (CCA), reserve capacity (RC), and ampere-hour (Ah) ratings. Group size refers to the battery’s dimensions and terminal placement, while CCA measures the battery’s ability to start in cold weather. Car batteries are vital to the functionality of your vehicle.
Battery Codes: Battery codes are typically found on the battery and consist of a sequence of numbers and letters indicating the battery's technical characteristics. These codes reveal the battery's voltage, amperage, dimensions, and manufacturing date. Knowing the correct battery code can assist you in selecting the right battery for your vehicle.
Battery letters often indicate the chemical composition of a battery. For instance, ‘Li’ denotes Lithium batteries, while ‘NiMH’ signifies Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries. Other common codes include ‘NiCd’ for Nickel-Cadmium and ‘Alk’ for Alkaline batteries.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) was established in France in 1906 and co-ordinates development of standards for a wide range of electrical products. The IEC maintains two committees, TC21 established in 1933 for rechargeable batteries, and TC35 established in 1948 for primary batteries, to develop standards. The current designation system was adopted in 1992. Battery types are designated with a letter/number sequence indicating number of cells, cell che…