Whats the difference between Nickel Cadmium (Nicad), Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), and Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)?

 
The three most popular battery chemistries have very special qualities each. I'll start with the oldest first. 
 
 
Nickel Cadmium
 
Nicad batteries are very robust. They are good for working in extreme environments, such as cold or hot weather. They also have a longer life cycle than NiMH or Li-ion, with about 700- life cycles. They are very robust for high output deep discharge applications. On the downside, they have a charging problem called the "memory effect". That is, if they don't get completely charged after each use, they will potentially only charge up to the last highest charge. This can shorten the lifespan of the battery. They can be reconditioned but at the cost of at least 3 life cycles.
 
The benefits of using a Nicad battery are extreme temperature tolerance, deep discharge capabilities, 
 
Nicad cell availability. Since Panasonic has bought Sanyo, the availability of quality cells has gone down. Panasonic has discontinued manufacturing several sizes of Nicad batteries. As a result, the sizes that have been discontinued are now only available by Chinese manufacturers. This is an inferior battery.
 
 
Nickel Metal Hydride
 
NiMH batteries offer a higher capacity than Nicad batteries, and less capacity than Li-Ion. They are nearly twice as heavy as Nicad batteries. They also don't have a memory effect. They are a good medium temperature battery. You can operate with them usually in -5 to 95 degrees farenheit with no adverse problems. They have good deep-discharge qualities and can store nearly twice the capacity of nicad cells. Their life-cycle is generally lower than nicad, at 500-800 life cycles. They are very similar to nicad when it comes to charge and discharge characteristics, and are safer than Lithium ion with thermal runaway.
 
NiMH batteries have more of a tendency to have weak-cell syndrome. That is, when you charge a battery pack all the way, then you go to use, it it dies right away. When you test it, it will say that its fully charged. This is because some or all of the cells can no longer hold power. NiMH batteries have a tendency to do this more than any other battery type.
 
NiMH cells are better protected from thermal runaway than Lithium Ion, however not as good as nicad. They have similar safety characteristics as nicad and are better for the environment than nicad.
 
The availability of NiMH cells is very good. Several manufacturers produce them in many countries.
 

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Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)
 
Lithium Ion battery cells are known for their enormous energy density. They are able to store more energy per pound than any of the traditional battery packs. That makes them very popular for portable electronics, vehicles, etc. They don't have the memory effect that nicad does, and they perform the best at deep discharge applications compared to nicad or nimh. Environmentally they are safer to dispose than nicad as they don't taint water supplies, and from a mining point of view, there is no benefit or negative aspect either way.
 
Li-Ion is not a good battery chemistry for extreme temperatures. According to Nasa, the maximum capacity of lithium ion cells at -40 degrees C is 12% of its room temperature capacity. We've had customers who have had li-ion radio batteries stop working at -5 degrees farenheit.
 
Safety is another issue with lithium Ion. All lithium ion batteries have to be controlled with an integrated circuit to control input and output voltage. If the circuit is not present, the cell could have thermal runaway. I'm sure you've all heard of laptop batteries catching fire. That is an instance of thermal runaway. Another safety issue is water. In the presence of H2o, li-ion will oxidize extremely rapidly (hint explode).
 
The life cycle of li-ion is approximately 700 to 950. This is ever changing with the testing of different lithium salts but as of November , when you purchase batteries for your consumer electronics, this will be the approximate range.
 
The charge and discharge curve of li-ion is extraordinary. It can handle heavy input and output voltage, making it ideal for use in power tools, electric vehicles, mobility devices, and the like. 
 
The availability of lithium Ion is very good. There are several areas of the world that mine it, and pricing should be stable for the foreseeable future. Efforts from Wall Street to commoditize it would have negative effects on its price and availability.

Future Battery Products

Lithium Sulphur

Aluminum Air

Solid State

Both NiCad and NiMH batteries are popular rechargeable battery options, but they feature certain differences that you should know when deciding which to use. The key differences between these batteries involve memory effect, capacity, and eco-friendliness, which could influence your decision. The following details the specific features of each type of battery and how they differ from one another.

NiCad Batteries

Nickel-cadmium (NiCad or NiCD) batteries are a useful solution for many applications. They consist of a nickel(III) oxide-hydroxide positive electrode plate, a potassium hydroxide electrolyte, a cadmium negative electrode plate, and a separator. In , a Swedish scientist developed the first NiCad battery, and many developments have since made these batteries more efficient and durable over the years.

Benefits of NiCad Batteries

NiCad batteries offer several advantages that make them suitable for many applications. These batteries are:

• Inexpensive

• Quick to charge

• Easy to store and ship

• Capable of handling a high number of chargers

• Functional in low temperatures

  Contact us to discuss your requirements of nicad vs nimh. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

These batteries are capable of withstanding high-rate discharge applications and are often used in medical equipment, electric razors, toys, two-way radios, emergency lighting, power tools, and a variety of commercial and industrial products.

While these batteries offer plenty of benefits, they also come with certain disadvantages. NiCad batteries aren&#;t as powerful as NiMH and other rechargeable batteries. They also have a tendency to self-discharge when stored. In addition, they contain certain toxic chemicals that make them less eco-friendly compared to other rechargeable batteries. However, many applications rely on them because of their convenience, affordability, amp-load capabilities, and ability to withstand extreme temperatures.

NiMH Batteries

The Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery entered the scene much more recently than its NiCad counterpart. After 20 years of research and development, the NiMH battery was completed in .   These batteries consist of a nickel hydroxide positive electrode plate, a hydrogen ion negative electrode plate, potassium hydroxide or another alkaline electrolyte, and a separator. NiMH batteries feature a higher capacity than NiCad batteries, enabling them to hold a charge for longer. Additionally, they are more environmentally friendly and they don&#;t experience the same memory effect as NiCad batteries, which means they continue to achieve a full charge with each use.

Benefits of NiMH Batteries

NiMH batteries come with several advantages, including:

• A higher capacity compared to NiCad and other rechargeable batteries

• Resistance to over-charging and over-discharging

• Lightweight construction

• Environmentally friendly

These benefits make NiMH batteries popular for many applications &#; specifically for consumer products. NiMH batteries are frequently used in medical instruments, cell phones, automotive batteries, digital cameras and camcorders, pagers, and electric toothbrushes.

Like NiCad batteries, NiMH batteries come with some drawbacks. They&#;re more expensive than NiCad and other rechargeable batteries, and they have a tendency to cut power suddenly as opposed to gradually. Like NiCad batteries, they are prone to rapid self-discharge when stored, and some are compatible only with the manufacturer&#;s charger. Despite these disadvantages, their increased capacity, light weight, and environmentally friendly design make these batteries among the most popular.

Reliable Rechargeable NiCad and NiMH Batteries from EVS Supply

Keeping the differences between NiCD and NiMH batteries in mind, you can make the right choice for your application. Both batteries offer numerous advantages that other rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries don&#;t offer. EVS Supply carries a wide selection of both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, including high-quality NiCad and NiMH batteries. Some of the leading brands we sell include FDK, Panasonic, PowerEx, SAFT, Vinnic, and Varta.

For more information about our selection of batteries, including custom batteries that meet unique application requirements, contact us today to learn more and request a quote for any of our products. 

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