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lead-acid storage battery
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Diagram of a car highlighting its electrical system, with labeled components such as the instrument panel, ignition system, battery, fuse blocks, wiring harnesses, and spark plugs, showing how power is distributed to various vehicle functions. automobile battery: cutaway view Diagram showing the structure of a 12-volt lead-acid battery, with six two-volt cells connected in series. A detailed view illustrates alternating plates of spongy lead and lead oxide immersed in sulfuric acid solution, representing the electrodes within each cell.
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lead-acid storage battery

Also known as: Planté cell
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Diagram of a car highlighting its electrical system, with labeled components such as the instrument panel, ignition system, battery, fuse blocks, wiring harnesses, and spark plugs, showing how power is distributed to various vehicle functions.
automobile electrical system Components of an automobile's electrical system.

The lead-acid battery is a widely used rechargeable power source. It consists of lead plates, with the positive electrode coated in lead dioxide, immersed in a sulfuric acid electrolyte. During discharge, lead sulfate forms on both electrodes, and water is produced, diluting the electrolyte. Recharging reverses this process, restoring the battery's energy content.

Key features of lead-acid batteries include their capability for high or low current demands, good cycle life, and relatively low cost. They are classified into starting-lighting-ignition (SLI) batteries for vehicles, traction batteries for industrial use, and stationary batteries for backup power in critical facilities like hospitals and telephone exchanges. While effective, a drawback is their weight, as lead has a lower energy density compared to other electrode materials. The invention of the lead-acid cell by Gaston Planté in 1859 marked the development of the first practical storage battery.12

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  1. battery - Lead-acid batteries
  2. battery - Development of batteries

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