Battery charging techniques: A Guide of Different Techniques and Their Applications

Introduction

Do you want to learn about battery charging techniques? Do you ever think about how you can make your batteries long-lasting? What are the effects of different charging patterns on the life span of a battery? If yes, then you are at the right place. Batteries are devices that store energy as electricity to use later. They store the energy when it is available in an accessive form to use when it is limited in quantity. Battery charging restores the electrical energy stored by supplying an external current. However, as all batteries are different in composition, every battery charging technique will only work for some batteries. 

If you want to enhance your battery’s performance, efficiency, safety, and lifespan, then it’s imperative to choose the right battery charging technique. So, in this article, we will explore different techniques, their implications, common battery types, and suitable charging techniques for them, and a comparison of the pros and cons of different battery charging techniques such as constant current, constant voltage, constant current-constant voltage (CC-CV), and pulse current as well as risks and challenges associated with these techniques. Let’s explore the different battery charging techniques. 

1. Constant current charging 

The first battery charging technique is constant current charging, a simple and widely used technique. The constant current charging involves a steady current supply to the battery. The state of charge and temperature of the battery doesn’t matter in this case, and the current level is usually set at about 10% to 20% of the battery capacity. The voltage of the battery determines the charging time. 

This method is a good option for battery types that can tolerate excessive heat and overcharging. One of the examples of such battery types is lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are followed by constant voltage charging. Car battery chargers, emergency lighting systems, and power tools are some devices and applications that are well-suited for this battery charging method. 

2. Constant voltage charging

The second battery charging technique is the constant voltage, which involves applying a fixed voltage to the battery. Doing this, a battery’s state of charge and temperature don’t matter. 

While charging the battery, the voltage level is usually set slightly higher than the battery’s nominal voltage. As the battery approaches the full, the charging temperature gradually decreases, which was kept at a high level at the start of the charging process. Like constant current charging, this method is also suitable for batteries that can withstand overcharging, such as lead-acid and nickel-cadmium types, and for the second stage of charging for lithium-ion batteries, after constant current charging. 

Starter batteries in vehicles, emergency lighting systems, and uninterruptible power supplies are the most common devices and applications that commonly use this battery charging technique. 

3. Constant current-constant voltage (CC-CV) charging

The third battery charging technique is constant current-constant voltage (CC-CV) charging. It is a way of charging that combines the effects of charging mentioned above techniques, constant current charging and constant voltage charging. Using this technique, first of all, a constant current is provided to the battery until it reaches its maximum voltage, but after reaching its peak, the battery switches to the constant voltage, which leads to a gradual reduction in the current until the battery is charged fully. 

A battery that requires precise and efficient charging is the best option for using this technique. Some examples of such battery types are lithium-ion and lithium-polymer types. Most consumer electronics such as computers, laptops, and smartphones use this method, considered the standard method for charging them. Also, electrical vehicles, power banks, and solar chargers are some devices and applications that use this technique commonly. 

4. Pulse current charging

The fourth Battery charging techniques is pulse current charging, which involves the application of high-current pulses. These high-current pulses are separated by low-current pulses or short relaxation periods. A pulse current can reduce the concentration polarization and improve the battery’s reaction kinetics. This ability leads to lower overpotential and higher efficiency.

Pulse current is a good option for battery types sensitive to overheating and overcharging. Some examples of such batteries are lithium-ion and lithium-sulfur types. The pulse current charging technique is also used as an advanced charging technique to elevate the performance of a battery and its lifespan. Electrical vehicles, solar chargers, and power banks commonly use pulse current charging. 

FAQs

What are the four charging methods of batteries?

The four charging methods of batteries are constant current, constant voltage, constant current-constant voltage (CC-CV), and pulse current. 
Constant current charging involves supplying a steady and uniform current to the battery, regardless of its charge or temperature. 
Constant voltage charging involves applying a fixed voltage to the battery, regardless of its charge or temperature. 
CC-CV charging involves applying a constant current to the battery until it reaches its maximum voltage, then switching to a constant voltage mode and gradually reducing the current until it is fully charged. 
Pulse current charging involves applying high-current pulses separated by low-current or short relaxation periods.

What is the proper way to charge a battery?

It depends upon the battery type and its application, as every battery type has its way of charging depending upon its performance, durability, material, temperature, and current withstanding capacity. Different battery chemistries and designs have different optimal charging parameters and methods. Lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries can use constant current or voltage charging, while lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries require CC-CV or pulse current charging

What are the seven stages of battery charging?

The seven stages of battery charging are pre-charge, bulk charge, absorption charge, equalization charge, analysis charge, top-off charge, and maintenance charge
Pre-charge is the initial stage that applies a small current to the battery to prevent damage from overcharging or overheating. 
The bulk charge is the main stage that applies a high current to the battery to restore most of its capacity. 
The absorption charge is the stage that applies a lower current to the battery to reach its full capacity.
The equalization charge is the stage that applies a higher voltage to the battery to balance the individual cells and remove sulfation.
The analysis charge is the stage that measures the battery’s capacity and health by applying a discharge cycle. The analysis charge is the stage that measures the battery’s capacity and health by applying a discharge cycle. 
Top-off charge is the stage that applies a trickle current to the battery to compensate for self-discharge. 
Maintenance charge is the stage that applies a periodic pulse or floats currently to the battery to keep it fully charged

What are the three methods of charging a battery explain?

The three methods of charging a battery are constant current which involves supplying a steady and uniform current to the battery; constant voltage, which involves applying a fixed voltage to the battery; and constant current-constant voltage (CC-CV), which involves applying a constant current to the battery until it reaches its maximum voltage, then switching to a constant voltage mode and gradually reducing the current until the battery is fully charged.

Final Analysis

In this article, we have explored four different battery charging techniques. Each technique is suitable only for some battery types or for a specific battery type. You can’t apply the same battery charging technique for all batteries because some batteries have a high capacity to withstand the temperature and current while others have low; some batteries have high durability while others may have less durability depending upon the material they are made up of, bacteria also vary in their performance and maintenance costs as well as their efficiency and safety. So if you want to choose the right battery charging technique, check your available device or application, its power consumption and electricity needs, and its performance, and then choose a battery accordingly. Always remember never to use a battery that can not withstand high currents or temperatures for a device that needs high current and power consumption. Make deep research before choosing a battery for your specific needs, and then take an informed decision.