Hardware Secrets
Home | Audio | Case | Cooling | CPU | Input | Memory | Mobile | Motherboard | Networking | Power | Storage | Video | Other
Content
Articles
First Look
News
Reviews
Tutorials
Main Menu
About Us
Compare Prices
Datasheets
Dictionary
Download
Drivers
Forums
Gabriel's Blog
Links
Manufacturer Finder
Newsletter
On The Web
RSS Feed
Test Your Skills
Newsletter
Subscribe today!
Search




Recommended Book
Batteries in a Portable World: A Handbook on Rechargeable Batteries for Non-Engineers, Second Edition
By Isidor Buchmann
Cadex Electronics Inc
Price: $24.95

Home » Power
The Truth About NiCd Batteries
Author: Gabriel Torres
Type: Articles Last Updated: March 6, 2006
Page: 1 of 4
$ Check REAL-TIME pricing for OCZ600SXS 600-Watt Power Supply $
TigerDirect.com: $79.99 Dell: $70.99
Amazon: $87.99 CompUSA.com: $79.99

Introduction

Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) is a very well known rechargeable battery technology, used by several electronic equipments, such as laptop computers, cell phones, cordless phones, old motherboards, etc. It is also very well known by its (in)famous “memory effect”, which makes this kind of battery to lose its charge faster when it is old than when it was brand new. In this article we will be explaining more in depth how NiCd batteries work, what and why the “memory effect” happens and how to prevent it.

As the name implies, NiCd batteries are made of two chemical elements, Nickel, under the form of Nickelic Hydroxide, and Cadmium. A third element used as electrolyte, usually a solution of Potassium Hydroxide (KOH). The Cadmium is the big villain. First, it is the element behind the “memory effect”, and second it is a heavy metal and thus very toxic.

That’s why newer rechargeable battery technologies do not use Cadmium anymore (e.g. Nickel-Metal Hydride [NiMH], Lithium-Ion [Li-ion] and Lithium-Ion Polymer [Li-Pol]). Laptop computers, cell phones, cordless phones and motherboards found today on the market don’t use NiCd batteries anymore and you won’t have any kind of problem or “memory effect” if your electronic gadget uses a different battery technology from NiCd. Just to make sure, if you take a look on your battery you will find a sticker showing which battery technology it uses. If it isn’t NiCd, you won’t have the “memory effect” problem.

What is this “memory effect” anyway?

“Memory effect” is when your battery “thinks” that it is fully charged but it isn’t. So let’s say that is 70% charged but it “thinks” that it is 100% charged. Under this condition, when installed on its charger it will stop recharging, because it is thinking that it is already full. When you start using your gadget, it will last shorter, since it is only 70% charged – and thus the assumption that older NiCd batteries last less than brand new ones. Which is true, but that are ways of preventing the “memory effect” to occur.

Pages (4): [1] 2 3 4 »
Print Version | Send to Friend | | Bookmark Article | Comments (0)

Related Content
  • All Core Duo and Core Solo Models
  • Explosive Cell Phones
  • Robson Technology Overview
  • Thermaltake iXoft Notebook Cooler Review
  • Everything You Need to Know About The Centrino Platform

  • Recommended Deals
    Pc Power and Cooling Pc Power & Cooling Silencer 610 Eps12v Power Supply (S61EPS)


    Amazon: $109.99 CompUSA.com: $119.99
    TigerDirect.com: $119.99 Newegg: $109.99
    Pc Power and Cooling Turbo Cool 860W Power Supply (PPCT860) 860-Watt


    Amazon: $227.99 Newegg.com: $269.99
    TigerDirect.com: $274.99 CompUSA.com: $274.99

    RSSLatest News
    Exceleram Launches Five New Memory Kits
    October 10, 2008 - 10:57 AM PST
    Kingston Launches 32 GB DataTraveler Flash Memory
    October 9, 2008 - 10:13 AM PST
    Gelid Launches Silent Spirit CPU Cooler
    October 8, 2008 - 11:18 AM PST
    Antec Skeleton Case
    October 7, 2008 - 10:42 AM PST
    Lexar Media Launches Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR3-1333
    October 7, 2008 - 10:11 AM PST
    Elpida Develops 65-nm Memory Chips
    October 6, 2008 - 11:10 AM PST
    Transcend Launches T5 Flash Memory
    October 3, 2008 - 11:50 AM PST
    Thermaltake Announces BigTyp14 Pro CPU Cooler
    October 3, 2008 - 11:28 AM PST
    A-Data Announces Triple-Channel DDR3 kits for Core i7 Processors
    October 3, 2008 - 11:17 AM PST
    EVGA Launches nForce 790i SLI FTW Mainboard
    October 3, 2008 - 11:07 AM PST
    .:: More News ::.

    RSSLatest Content
    500 GB Hard Disk Drive Round-Up
    Anatomy of the Playstation 3
    AMD ATI Chips Comparison Table
    Bgears b-Envi Case Review
    Everything You Need to Know About Digital Cameras
    Kingwin Mach 1 ABT-700MA1S 700 W Power Supply Review
    Thermaltake V9 Case Review
    OCZ Dominatrix Gaming Mouse Review
    Rosewill Wind Ryder RZLS142-AP Case Review
    AeroCool AeroRacer Pro Case Review
    iPod Touch 2nd Generation Review
    Olympus SP-570UZ Digital Camera Review
    Zalman ZM600-HP 600 W Power Supply Review
    Tagan A+ Curbic Case Review
    Everything You Need to Know About The Motherboard Voltage Regulator Circuit

    Our Most Popular Articles
    Maximum CPU Temperature
    796,462 views
    nVidia Chips Comparison Table
    495,606 views
    AMD ATI Chips Comparison Table
    438,091 views
    ATI Radeon X1300 Pro Review
    421,036 views
    ATI Radeon X1600 XT Review
    415,067 views
    How to Find Out Your Motherboard Manufacturer and Model
    407,312 views
    Connecting Two PCs Using a USB-USB Cable
    365,357 views
    How To Correctly Apply Thermal Grease
    349,833 views
    Sempron vs. Athlon XP
    284,610 views
    Sempron 3400+ Review
    275,590 views

    Latest Threads in Our Forums
    500 GB Hard Disk Drive Round-Up
    by ley
    ATHLON x2 6000 or C2D E8400??
    by ianb
    Budget Gaming PC
    by AeroWB
    what mobo and PSU pls..
    by AeroWB
    is this an "ok!" build?
    by AeroWB
    may notebook just shutdowns! help..
    by trojancya
    computer lock ups!
    by trojancya
    IGP vs video card which one? im confused
    by trojancya
    Newly Built PC Powering Issues.
    by Smfl22
    Power Usage
    by jun_ph26
    .:: Visit Our Forums ::.


    © 2004-8, Hardware Secrets, LLC. All rights reserved.
    Advertising | Legal Information | Privacy Policy
    All times are Pacific Standard Time (PST, GMT -08:00)