DYSMEBee 212:

Basic Electrical Engineering

ENGR. ROBERTO I. BERNARDO

Instructor, School of Mechanical Engineering

Declaration:
This learning module is an exclusive property of Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc., as an essential part of the
REIMAGINED Learning Program for the Academic Year 2020-2021, and shall only be used by and for
DYCIans. No part of this learning module shall be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, and/or sold, without the
consent of DYCI.
 <<Module No. 6>>
<< CELLS AND BATTERIES >>

This module is intended to have you learners of second year BSME to differentiate the
cells and batteries.

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. define cells;
2. define batteries;
3. give the difference between series and parallel connection of cells; and
4. enumerate the commonly used type of batteries.

A. VOLTAIC CHEMICAL CELL or CELL

A voltaic chemical cell is a combination of materials used to convert chemical

energy into electric energy. The chemical cell consists of two electrodes made of
different kinds of metals or metallic compounds, and an electrolyte, which is a
solution capable of conducting an electric current (Figure 6.1).

Figure 6.1

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 An excellent example of a pair of electrodes is zinc and copper. Zinc contains an
abundance of negatively charged atoms, while copper has an abundance of positively
charged atoms. When plates of these metals are immersed in an electrolyte, chemical
action between the two begins. The zinc electrode accumulates a much larger negative
charge since it gradually dissolves into the electrolyte. The atoms which leave the zinc
electrode are positively charged. They are attracted by the negatively charged ions (-) of
the electrolyte, while they repel the positively charged ions (+) of the electrolyte toward
the copper electrode (Figure. 6.2). This causes electrons to be removed from the copper,
leaving it with an excess of positive charge. If a load such as a light bulb is connected
across the terminals on the electrodes, the forces of attraction and repulsion will cause
free electrons in the negative zinc electrode, connecting wires, and light bulb filament to
move toward the positively charged copper electrode (Figure 6.3).

Figure 6.2 Figure 6.3

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 The potential difference that results permits the cell to function as a source of
applied voltage V (Figure 6.4). The electrolyte of a cell may be liquid or a paste. If the
electrolyte is a liquid, the cell is often called a wet cell. If the electrolyte is in a paste
form, the cell is referred to as a dry cell. (Gussow, 1983)

Figure 6.4

SERIES and PARALLEL CONNECTION of CELLS

When cells are connected in series, the total voltage across the battery of cells is
equal to the sum of the voltage of each of the individual cells. In Figure 6.5 the four 1.5
volts cells in series provide a total battery voltage of 6 V. When cells are placed in series,
the positive terminal of one cell is connected to the negative terminal of the other cell. The
current flowing through such a battery of series cells is the same as for one cell because
the same current flows through all the series cells.

Figure 6.5

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 To obtain a greater current, the battery has cells in parallel, Figure 6.6. When cells
are placed in parallel, all the positive terminals are connected together and all the
negative terminals are connected together. Any point on the positive side can serve as
the positive terminal of the battery and any point on the negative side can be the
negative terminal.
The total voltage output of a battery of three parallel cells is the- same as that for a
single cell, Figure 6.6), but the available current is three times that of one cell. The
parallel connection has the same effect of increasing the size of the electrodes and
electrolyte in a single cell, which increases the current capacity. Identical cells in
parallel all supply equal parts of the current to the load. For example, of three identical
parallel cells producing a load current of 150 mA, each cell contributes 50 mA.

Figure 6.6

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CELLS

Primary cells are those which cannot be recharged or returned to good condition
after their voltage output drops too low. Dry cells used in flashlights and transistor
radios are examples of primary cells. Secondary cells are those which are rechargeable.
During recharging, the chemicals which provide electric energy are restored to their
original condition. Recharging is done by passing direct current through a cell in a
direction opposite to the direction of the current which the cell delivers to a circuit.

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 B. BATTERIES

The two main types of rechargeable battery cell are:

Lead-acid and
Alkaline

A battery is formed when two or more cells are connected to one another either in
series or parallel connection.
The nominal cell voltages of each type are 2 volts for lead-acid and 1.2 volts for
alkaline. Hence, twelve lead-acid cells or twenty alkaline cells must be connected in series
to produce a nominal 24 V. More cells may be connected in parallel to increase the battery
capacity which is rated in Ampere-hours (Ah). The battery capacity is usually rated in
terms of its discharge at the l0-hour rate. A 250 Ah battery would be expected to provide
25 A for 10 hours. However, the battery will generally have a lower capacity at a shorter
discharge rate. The manufacturer's discharge curves must be checked for such details.
After a 10 hour discharge a lead-acid cell voltage will have fallen to approximately
1.73 volts. The equivalent figure for an alkaline cell is 1.14 volts.

Figure 6.7

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 1. If four cells are connected in parallel with a voltage of 1.5 v each. What is its
total voltage?

Solution:

Since the cells are connected in parallel,

VT = V 1 = V 2 = V 3
VT = 1.5 v

2. If the battery is rated at 150 Ah. Approximately how long will it nearly
discharged if it is used in a 8 A load?
Solution:

Since the capacity rating of a battery are expressed in terms of Ah,

which is the product of load current (ampere) and time (hour)

Capacity = Current x time

Cap = I x t , so;

t = Cap / I

= 150 Ah / 8 A

t = 18.75 hours

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 Name: _____________________________________________ Rating: ________________
Year and Section:_____________ Professor / Instructor:__________________________
Due of Submission: _____________________________

<< Module No. 6>>

<< CELLS and BATTERIES >>

I. Fill in the blanks. Write your answer in the space provided.

_______________ 1. It is a type cells that are considered as rechargeable.

_______________ 2. In mobile phone, what do we mean by acronym mAh?

_______________ 3. It is an instrument used to measure voltages of batteries.

_______________ 4. It is a type of cell according to its electrolytes – liquid

form.
_______________ 5. It is a DC power supply that consists of two or more cells
connected to its other
.

II. Problem solving. Solve the following problems.

1. If seven AAA cells are connected in series. What is its total voltage?

2. If an appliance has a current of 2.5 amperes and will be used for 8 hours. What
is the battery capacity needed in terms of mAh?

3. If there are eight dry cells, each has a 1.5 volts and ¾ Ah capacity. Using the
eight dry cells combination, draw its circuit diagram if the total terminal
voltage and capacity rating are as follows:
a. 12 volts and ¾ Ah
b. 1.5 volts and 6 Ah
c. 6 volts and 1.5 Ah
d. 3 volts and 3 Ah

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 Siskind, Charles S. Electrical Circuits. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1980

Fajardo, Max Jr., B. and Fajardo, Leo R. Electrical Layout and Estimate. 2nd ed. Manila:
5138 Merchandising, 2000

Gussow, Milton. Schaum’s outline of theory and problems of Basic Electricity.

New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1983

Theraja, B. L., et., al. A Textbook of Electrical Technology: Volume I Basic Electrical
Engineering in S.I., System of Units. First multicolor edition. New Delhi: S. Chand &
Company Ltd., 2005

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