Leclanché cell

battery

Also known as: Leclanché battery, zinc-carbon cell

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

The Leclanché cell is a type of zinc-carbon primary battery. It uses an electrolyte solution of ammonium chloride. The cell has a zinc negative electrode and a manganese dioxide positive electrode.12

Developed by French engineer Georges Leclanché around 1866, this battery design was a significant step in battery technology. While the original Leclanché cell used a wet electrolyte, later innovations led to the development of the "dry cell" in the late 1880s. This dry cell version is widely produced and used in devices like flashlights and portable radios. The principles established by Leclanché's work paved the way for modern primary batteries.31

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

battery
Zinc–manganese dioxide systems
There are three variations: the zinc-carbon battery, the zinc chloride battery, and the alkaline battery. All provide an initial voltage of 1.55 to 1.7 volts, which declines with use to an end point of about 0.8 volt.
Read More
There are three variations: the zinc-carbon battery, the zinc chloride battery, and the alkaline battery. All provide an initial voltage of 1.55 to 1.7 volts, which declines with use to an end point of about 0.8 volt.
Read More

Georges Leclanché
In slightly modified form, the Leclanché battery, now called a dry cell, is produced in great quantities and is widely used in devices such as flashlights and portable radios.
Read More
In slightly modified form, the Leclanché battery, now called a dry cell, is produced in great quantities and is widely used in devices such as flashlights and portable radios.
Read More

battery
Zinc–manganese dioxide systems
…zinc-carbon battery, also called the Leclanché cell, is a traditional general-purpose dry cell. Invented by the French engineer Georges Leclanché in 1866, it immediately became a commercial success in large sizes because of its readily available low-cost constituent materials. It remains the least expensive dry cell and is available nearly…
Read More
…zinc-carbon battery, also called the Leclanché cell, is a traditional general-purpose dry cell. Invented by the French engineer Georges Leclanché in 1866, it immediately became a commercial success in large sizes because of its readily available low-cost constituent materials. It remains the least expensive dry cell and is available nearly…
Read More