Primary cell

A primary cell is a type of battery that is designed to be used once and discarded, and not recharged with electricity and reused like a secondary cell (or rechargeable battery). In general, the electrochemical reaction occurring in the cell is not reversible, rendering the cell unrechargeable. As a result of this, the initial energy present in the cell is consumed over one discharge cycle. A primary cell cannot be reliably recharged, since the chemical reactions are not easily reversible and active materials may not return to their original forms.

History

Primary cells were made practical with the development of the zinc-carbon cell, which was invented by Georges Leclanché in 1866. The Leclanché cell chemistry was later adapted to the first dry cells. These were the batteries that powered early telegraph networks. It was later replaced by the alkaline battery.

Types of Primary Cells

There are several types of primary cells. Among them are:

• Alkaline cells
• Zinc-carbon cells
• Lithium cells
• Silver-oxide cells
• Zinc-air cells

Applications

Primary cells are commonly used in a wide range of devices including remote controls, flashlights, clocks, and radios. They are also used in smoke detectors and in emergency devices where the battery must sit for years, but then deliver high current when the device is activated. In such devices, primary cells are usually more cost-effective than secondary cells.

See Also

• Battery (electricity)
• Secondary cell
• Electrochemical cell
• Fuel cell