Difference Between Rechargeable and Non Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable vs Non Rechargeable Batteries

All over the world, small batteries are used to provide energy to appliances in households such as toys for kids, watches, remote controls of various electronic products, and many other items that are battery operated. Most of these batteries are non rechargeable, though there are appliances like mobile phones, digital cameras, light vehicles such as cycles, scooters, and even cars that work on rechargeable batteries. Though, both type of batteries serve the same purpose of providing power to appliance, there are basic differences in these two types of batteries that will be highlighted in this article.

Since non rechargeable batteries were invented first, they are known as primary batteries; Rechargeable batteries are referred to as secondary batteries. Canada was the first country to introduce rechargeable alkaline batteries that caught the imagination of the people. Today these batteries are available in all shapes and capacities. In fact, the invention of rechargeable batteries has made possible use and spread of cell phones across the world.

Talking of differences, one has to note that in normal or non rechargeable batteries a chemical reaction takes place that gives the necessary power to the appliances that use these batteries. It is this reaction that is reversed, and used to push electricity inside the cell in case of rechargeable batteries. This means that a normal primary battery would last only as long as its charge lasts, and it has to be discarded once this charge has been emptied. However, though rechargeable batteries can be charged again and again and reused, they too have a life, and this life is up to the time they have this ability to get charged. Once rechargeable battery loses the capability to get charged, it too needs to be discarded, but this does not happen before it has been charged 500-600 times. There are many types of chemicals used in rechargeable batteries and these combinations are referred to as lead acid, Nickel cadmium, Li-ion, and so on.

Non rechargeable batteries have a long shelf life, while rechargeable batteries last longer. You can however extend shelf life of non rechargeable batteries if you keep extra ones inside a freezer. Cold temperatures slow down chemical reaction inside batteries, and thus prevent them from going dead. Of course, non rechargeable batteries are cheaper than rechargeable batteries, but in the long run, rechargeable batteries prove to be profitable (read cost effective) as you use them again and again.

However, there are appliances that need non rechargeable batteries. This is because rechargeable batteries lose their charge quickly, and are thus, unsuitable in appliances such as smoke detectors and even digital cameras where rechargeable batteries get drained out quickly.