The Nickel-Cadmium Battery

• Invented in 1899 by Swedish inventor Waldmar Jungner.
• In 1899 its use was limited to special applications due to cost compared to other batteries.
• In 1932, the active materials were deposited inside a porous nickel-plated electrode.
• In 1947 research began on a sealed nickel-cadmium battery.
• Rather than venting, the internal gases generated during charge were recombined. These advances led to the modern sealed nickel-cadmium battery, which is in use today.
• the NiCd battery prefers fast charge to slow charge and pulse charge to DC charge.
• the NiCd battery is the only battery type that performs well under rough working conditions.
• All other chemistries prefer a shallow discharge and moderate load currents.
• Ni-Cd does not like to be pampered by sitting in chargers for days and being used only occasionally for brief periods.
• A periodic full discharge is important.
• Omission of periodic full discharge forms large crystals on the cell plates (also called memory).
• The Nickel-Cadmium battery will gradually lose its abilities.
• Among rechargeable batteries, Ni-Cd remains a popular choice for high drain regular use devices such as two-way radios, emergency medical equipment and power tools.
• Ni-CD batteries are durable and low cost.