The Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) cell chemistry is different from NiMH cell chemistry in that the NiCd cell absorbs cadmium where the NiMH cell stores hydrogen. Cadmium is much larger and heavier than hydrogen, which leads to lower volumetric and gravimetric energy densities of the NiCd cell.
The NiCd’s cycle life and discharge voltage profile are equivalent to NiMH. Also, NiCd’s can be placed into storage at any state of charge (SOC). Nevertheless, the NiCd battery needs to be completely discharged before it is charged to avoid the occurrence of voltage depression (or memory effect). Furthermore, the primary disadvantage to the use of the NiCd chemistry is the environmental concerns and health risks associated with the use of cadmium.
Charge/Discharge Chemical Reactions
Note: Characteristics can change according to improvements in chemistry or special niche requirements.
Ni-Cd Battery Type
Type | Model | Size | Dimension (max) | Capacity (mAh) | Norminal Voltage (V) | Standard Charge | Rapid Charge | Reference Weight (g) | |||
Diameter | Height | Current (mA) | Time | Current (mA) | Time | ||||||
(mm) | (mm) | (H) | (H) | ||||||||
AAA | AA300 | AAA | 10.5 | 43.3 | 300 | 1.2 | 60 | 7.5 | 300 | 72 | 10 |
AAA350H | AAA | 10.5 | 44.5 | 350 | 1.2 | 70 | 7.5 | 350 | 72 | 11 | |
AA | AA500 | AA | 14.5 | 50.4 | 500 | 1.2 | 100 | 7.5 | 500 | 72 | 18 |
AA600 | AA | 14.5 | 49.1 | 600 | 1.2 | 120 | 7.5 | 600 | 72 | 19 | |
AA700L | AA | 14.5 | 49.1 | 700 | 1.2 | 140 | 7.5 | 700 | 72 | 21 | |
AA700H | AA | 14.5 | 50.4 | 700 | 1.2 | 140 | 7.5 | 700 | 72 | 21 | |
AA800L | AA | 14.5 | 49.1 | 800 | 1.2 | 160 | 7.5 | 800 | 72 | 22 | |
AA800H | AA | 14.5 | 50.4 | 800 | 1.2 | 160 | 7.5 | 800 | 72 | 22 | |
AA900L | AA | 14.5 | 49.1 | 900 | 1.2 | 180 | 7.5 | 900 | 72 | 22 | |
AA900H | AA | 14.5 | 50.4 | 900 | 1.2 | 180 | 7.5 | 900 | 72 | 22 | |
AA1000L | AA | 14.5 | 49.1 | 1000 | 1.2 | 200 | 7.5 | 1000 | 72 | 23 | |
A | 4/5A1200 | 4/5A | 17 | 42.8 | 1200 | 1.2 | 240 | 7.5 | 1200 | 72 | 30 |
A1400 | A | 17 | 49.8 | 1400 | 1.2 | 280 | 7.5 | 1400 | 72 | 36 | |
SC | 4/5SC1000 | 4/5SC | 23 | 33.8 | 1000 | 1.2 | 200 | 7.5 | 100 | 72 | 37 |
SC1300 | SC | 23 | 42.8 | 1300 | 1.2 | 260 | 7.5 | 1300 | 72 | 40 | |
SC1500 | SC | 23 | 42.8 | 1500 | 1.2 | 300 | 7.5 | 1500 | 72 | 43 | |
SC1800 | SC | 23 | 42.8 | 1800 | 1.2 | 360 | 7.5 | 1800 | 72 | 48 | |
SC2000 | SC | 23 | 42.8 | 2000 | 1.2 | 200 | 7.5 | 2000 | 72 | 48 | |
C | C2000 | C | 26 | 49.5 | 200 | 1.2 | 200 | 7.5 | 600 | 300 | 65 |
C3000 | C | 26 | 50.4 | 3000 | 1.2 | 300 | 15 | 900 | 300 | 75 | |
D | D4000L | D | 33 | 60.3 | 4000 | 1.2 | 400 | 15 | 1200 | 300 | 130 |
D4000H | D | 33 | 61.6 | 4000 | 1.2 | 400 | 15 | 1200 | 300 | 130 | |
D4500L | D | 33 | 60.3 | 4500 | 1.2 | 450 | 15 | 1350 | 300 | 140 | |
D4500H | D | 33 | 61.6 | 4500 | 1.2 | 450 | 15 | 1350 | 300 | 140 | |
D5000L | D | 33 | 60.3 | 5000 | 1.2 | 500 | 15 | 1500 | 300 | 145 | |
D5000H | D | 33 | 61.6 | 5000 | 1.2 | 500 | 15 | 1500 | 300 | 145 | |
F | F8000 | F | 32.4 | 90 | 8000 | 1.2 | 800 | 15 | 1800 | 390 | 205 |