Knowledge Base

What is a "part number"?

A part number is a code that uniquely identifies an inventory item. This code is intended to help us refer to this specific item without needing additional information such as the production machine, brand of the machine, size of spare parts, etc.

What is battery capacity?

Battery capacity can be described as the amount of electrical energy it contains, usually expressed in milliampere-hours (mAh). It is determined based on the amount of current energy the battery can deliver—under specific temperature conditions, discharge rates, and final battery voltage over a specified period. As you might expect, the higher the battery capacity, the higher the mAh level, and the longer the battery will last. Therefore, for laptops and other portable devices used for extended periods, batteries with higher capacities are preferred.

What is a Volt?

A Volt is a measure of electric pressure or force. Denoted as “V” for voltage, various volts or voltages can be found in batteries with different chemical compositions. For example, NiCd and NiMH batteries, which are nickel-based, provide a cell voltage of about 1.2 V, while lithium-ion cells provide a voltage of 3.6 V/3.7 V.
Thus, the voltage of two battery cells of the same chemistry is always the same. Although their capacities may differ, the voltage always remains constant. It is equally important that the voltage of the cell or battery matches the voltage requirements of the device in which it is used. If there is a difference, the device may operate improperly and could suffer enough failures to cause permanent damage.

Do lithium-ion batteries suffer from "memory effect"?

Simply put, no—lithium-ion batteries do not suffer from "memory effect." Such behavior would lead to a decrease in the capacity or voltage of the battery. Although "memory effect" does not affect lithium-ion batteries, it does impact NiCd and NiMH batteries because they are nickel-based. Therefore, laptop users may experience unexpected downtime.

What is self-discharge?

When a battery loses charge while not in use, it is called self-discharge. If a battery remains unused, it will lose charge, which results in self-discharge, reaching its highest level after fully charging the battery at full capacity. There are other factors influencing the rate of self-discharge, including the temperature of the place where the battery is stored and even humidity. This is true regardless of the type of battery or chemical composition. Lithium-ion batteries have the lowest self-discharge rate—5% to 10% per month; quite low compared to 20% for NiCd and 30% for NiMH.

What is a battery life cycle?

When you calculate how many times a battery can be charged and discharged before it fails, you measure the battery life cycle. One battery cycle is defined as a full charge followed by a complete discharge.

What is battery lifespan?

Battery lifespan, as you might suspect, is a measure of the number of cycles a battery can provide before it "dies" and requires complete replacement. Battery lifespan varies depending on chemical composition, but lithium-ion batteries typically provide about 500-700 charge/discharge cycles.

What precautions should be taken when storing laptop batteries?
Heat and metal objects do not go well with laptop batteries. Best practices include removing the laptop battery and storing it in a dry, cool place. When stored, batteries should be discharged to 40%. Long-term storage of lithium-ion batteries is not recommended for periods longer than three months.

How to find laptop battery specifications?
There are several different types and sizes of laptop batteries. To determine what battery you have, remove the battery from the laptop and look at the bottom or top of the battery.