Document No. 5-0324 Rev G
APPENDIX A – GLOSSARY
Active material - Electrode material which produces electricity during its chemical
conversion.
AGM - Absorbent glass mat used as a separator material between positive and negative
plates. Electrolyte is absorbed and held in place by the capillary action between the fluid and
glass mat fibers.
Battery - A combination of two or more chemical cells electrically connected together to
produce electric energy. Common usage permits this designation to be applied also to a
single cell used independently.
Boost charge - A charge applied to a battery which is already near a state of full charge.
Usually a charge of short duration.
C1 rate - The rate, in amperes, equal to the battery’s rated C1 capacity. For example, the
C1 rate of a battery rated at 42Ah is 42 amperes.
Capacity - The quantity of electricity delivered by a battery under specified conditions,
usually expressed in ampere hours.
Cell - An electrochemical device composed of positive and negative plates, separator and
electrolyte which is capable of storing electrical energy.
Charge - The conversion of electrical energy from an external source into chemical energy
within a cell or battery.
Charge rate - The rate at which current is applied to a battery to restore its capacity.
Constant potential (CP) charge - Charging method where the output voltage of the charge
source is held constant and the current is limited only by the resistance of the battery or by
the capability of the charging source.
Constant current (CC) charge- Charging method where the output current of the charge
source is held constant and the voltage is not regulated.
Current - The rate of flow of electricity. The unit of measurement is an ampere.
Deep discharge - Withdrawal of 50% or more of the rated capacity of a battery.
Depth of discharge (DOD) - The portion of the nominal capacity from a cell or battery taken
out during each discharge cycle, expressed in a percentage.
Discharge - The conversion of the chemical energy of a battery into electrical energy and
withdrawal of the electrical energy into a load.
Discharge rate - The rate of current flow from a battery during discharge.
Electrolyte - In a lead acid battery, the electrolyte is sulfuric acid diluted with water. It is a
conductor and also a supplier of hydrogen and sulfate ions for the electrochemical reactions
occurring at the plates.
To Next Page
Loading...