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Comparison
Battery Technologies
for Telecom
Secondary battery technologies
Rechargeable batteries play an important role in our life and many daily
chores would be unthinkable without the ability to recharge an empty battery.
Points of interest are specific energy, years of service life, load characteristics,
safety, price, self-discharge, environmental issues, maintenance
requirements, and disposal.

Lead Acid
One of the oldest rechargeable battery systems; is rugged, forgiving if abused and
economical in price; has a low specific energy and limited cycle life. Lead acid is used
for wheelchairs, golf cars, personnel carriers, emergency lighting and uninterruptible
power supply (UPS).

Nickel-cadmium (NiCd)
Mature and well understood; is used where long service life, high discharge current,
extreme temperatures and economical price are of importance. Due to environmental
concerns, NiCd is being replaced with other chemistries. Main applications are power
tools, two-way radios, aircraft and UPS.

Nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH)
A practical replacement for NiCd; has higher specific energy with fewer toxic metals.
NiMH is used for medical instruments, hybrid cars and industrial applications. NiMH is
available in AA and AAA cells for consumer use.

Lithium-ion (Li‑ion)
Most promising battery systems; is used for portable consumer products as well as
electric powertrains for vehicles; is more expensive than nickel- and lead acid sys-
tems and needs protection circuit for safety.

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The lithium-ion family is divided into three major battery types, so named by their
cathode oxides, which are cobalt, manganese and phosphate. The characteristics of
these Li-ion systems are as follows.

• Lithium-ion-cobalt or lithium-cobalt (LiCoO2): Has high specific energy with

moderate load capabilities and modest service life. Applications include cell
phones, laptops, digital cameras and wearable products.

• Lithium-ion-manganese or lithium-manganese (LiMn2O4): Is capable of high

charge and discharge currents but has low specific energy and modest service
life; used for power tools, medical instruments and electric powertrains.

• Lithium-ion-phosphate or lithium-phosphate (LiFePO4): Is similar to lithium-

manganese; nominal voltage is 3.3V/cell; offers long cycle life, has a good safe
record but exhibits higher self-discharge than other Li-ion systems.

There are many other lithium-ion based batteries. Missing in the list is also the
popular lithium-ion-polymer, or Li-polymer. While Li-ion systems get their name from
their unique cathode materials, Li-polymer differs by having a distinct architecture.
Nor is the rechargeable lithium-metal mentioned. This battery requires further
development to control dendrite growth, which can compromise safety. Once solved,
Li-metal will become an alternative battery choice with extraordinary high specific
energy and good specific power.

International AB • Kistagången 16, 164 40 Kista, Sweden • [email protected] • Phone: +46 708 395 695 • www.incellint.com
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TABLE 1

LEAD LI-ION
Specifications NiCD NiHN
ACID Cobalt Manganese Phosphate

Specific energy
30–50 45–80 60–120 150–190 100–135 90–120
density (Wh/kg)

Internal <100 100–200 200–300 150–300 25–752 25–502

resistance1 (mΩ) 12 V pack 6 V pack 6 V pack 7.2 V per cell per cell

Cycle life1 1 000–

200–300 10003 300-5003 500–1 000 500–1 000
(80% discharge) 2 000

Fast-charge time 8–16h 1h typical 2–4h 2–4h 1h or less 1h or less

Overcharge
High Moderate Low Low. Cannot tolerate trickle charge
tolerance

Self-discharge/mo
5% 20%5 30%5 <10%5
(room temp)

Cell voltage
2V 1.2V7 1.2V7 3.6V8 3.8V8 3.3V
(nominal)

Charge cutof 2.40 Full charge detection

4.20 3.60
voltage (V/cell) Float 2.25 by voltage signature

Discharge cutoff
1.75 1.00 2.50–3.00 2.80
voltage (V/cell, 1C)

Peak load current 5C9 20C 5C >3C >30C >30C

Best result 0.2C 1C 0.5C <1C <10C <10C

Charge
-20 to 50°C 0 to 45°C 0 to 45°C 10
temperature

Discharge
-20 to 50°C -20 to 65°C -20 to 60°C
temperature

3–6
30–60 60–90
Mainternance months11
days days Not required
requirement (topping
(discharge) (discharge
chg)

Safety Thermally Thermally stable, fuse

Protection circuit mandatory12
requirements stable protection common

In use since Late 1800s 1950 1990 1991 1996 1999

Compares the characteristics of four commonly used rechargeable battery systems showing average
performance ratings at time of publication.

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Table 1: Characteristics of commonly used rechargeable batteries The figures are based
on average ratings of commercial batteries at time of publication; experimental batte-
ries with ratings are excluded.

1. Internal resistance of a battery pack varies with milliampere-hour (mAh) rating,

wiring and number of cells. Protection circuit of lithium-ion adds about 100mΩ.
2. Based on 18650 cell size. Cell size and design determines internal resistance.
3. Cycle life is based on battery receiving regular maintenance.
4. Cycle life is based on the depth of discharge (DoD). Shallow DoD improves cycle life.
5. Self-discharge is highest immediately after charge. NiCd loses 10% in the first
24 hours, then declines to 10% every 30 days. High temperature increases self-
discharge.
6. Internal protection circuits typically consume 3% of the stored energy per month.
7. The traditional voltage is 1.25V; 1.2V is more commonly used.
8. Low internal resistance reduces the voltage drop under load and Li-ion is often
rated higher than 3.6V/cell. Cells marked 3.7V and 3.8V are fully compatible
with 3.6V.
9. Capable of high current pulses; needs time to recuperate.
10. Do not charge regular Li-ion below freezing.
11. Maintenance may be in the form of equalizing or topping charge to prevent sulfation.
12. Cut-off if less than 2.20V or more than 4.30V for most Li-ion; different voltage
settings apply for lithium-iron-phosphate.

Stationary battery alternatives

Stationary batteries are almost always lead acid. Size and weight is of lesser concern.
The limited cycle count does not pose a major problem because the batteries are seldom
deep discharged. Large stationary systems are mostly mature flooded systems that
provide a reliable and economical service, but they need regular maintenance in form
of checking the electrolyte level and adding water. Automatic watering reduces some of
this routine maintenance work.

Valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) offers a lower-cost alternative to flooded lead acid.
Being maintenance-free, the battery can be installed and forgotten. This benefit is often
taken to the extreme in that the batteries are neglected. In the absence of adding water,
maintenance comes in the form of checking the voltage, internal resistance and verify-
ing capacity.

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Flooded nickel-cadmium batteries are used in applications that need regular deep cycling
or are exposed to hot and cold temperatures. NiCd for stationary applications is about four
times the price of lead acid; however, the vendors say that improved longevity will make
up for the higher cost. Flooded nickel-cadmium batteries are nonsintered and don’t have
memory.

Battery manufacturers are introducing NiMH and Li-ion batteries for stationary uses.
The advantages are wide temperature range and the ability to deep cycle and fast charge.
These batteries have a small footprint, need minimal ventilation and have a long life.

When storing energy from renewable sources, such as from solar cells, NiMH and
Li-ion do not suffer from sulfation as lead acid does when not fully charged. Li-ion has
the added benefit of being light. It can be made semi-portable for temporary systems and
remote installations.

NiMH and Li-ion have been more expensive than lead acid and the industry has continued
to rely on lead acid batteries for common UPS systems. Experts earlier predictions that
alternate chemistries will find market acceptance for general use once the total cost of
ownership is similar or better of a lead acid system.

Wh/kg

250

200

150

100

50

0
Lead acid NiCd NiHm LFP NMC LCO

Data and info: www.batteryuniversity.com

International AB • Kistagången 16, 164 40 Kista, Sweden • [email protected] • Phone: +46 708 395 695 • www.incellint.com