Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
Nickel-cadmium cells have an anode (negative) in cadmium hydroxide and a cathode (positive) in nickel hydroxide, immersed in an alkaline solution (electrolyte) comprising potassium, sodium and lithium hydroxides. The cells are rechargeable and deliver a voltage of 1.2 V during discharge.
Saft and its subsidiaries have been making nickel-cadmium batteries for over 100 years, addressing a huge variety of professional and industrial applications, with capacities from 0.1 to 1500 Ah. Several different electrode technologies can be used, with pocket-type, sintered plate, foam and Saft’s recent proprietary PNE (for the VNT range) anodes, and pocket-type, sintered plate or PBE cathodes (Plastic Bonded Electrodes). Nickel-cadmium cells can be sealed or open, and are available in low-maintenance and zero-maintenance versions.
Sealed cells are cylindrical in shape, in nickel-steel cans . Open cells are prismatic in shape, with casing in plastic (possibly flame retardant) or stainless steel or nickel steel.
Nickel-cadmium batteries have a legendary reputation for robustness, reliability and service life. This is the benchmark technology for difficult and demanding applications: operating temperatures from –40 °C to +60 °C (because the electrolyte has a very low freezing point), excellent cycling capability (up to 3,000 cycles), long storage life, and low or zero maintenance.
Because of the structural materials they use, nickel-cadmium batteries are exceptionally robust, and exempt from risk of sudden failure. And they can be made with very thin electrodes, for high-power units.
Saft makes an increasing proportion of its nickel-cadmium batteries using cadmium from recycled batteries.
| Ultima SLM - Ultra low maintenance batteries |
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| Rechargeable battery |
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Main applicationsdata & information systems emergency and security systems process control switchgear, switching and transmission signalling and infrastructure
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