Glossary

Absorbent Glass MatAcidAcid PackAcid StratificationActive MaterialAdvanced Flooded BatteryAlloyAmmeterAmp-HourAmpereAverage DrainBackfire ProtectionBackup BatteryBalancingBatteryBattery CareBattery CaseBattery CategoriesBattery HydrometerBoost ChargingCalcium BatteryCapacityCarbon AdditiveCellCell Short-CircuitCharge RegulatorChargerChargingCharging VoltageCircuitClosed BatteryCold Cranking Amps (CCA)Constant Current Battery ChargerConstant Current DischargerConstant-Voltage Battery-ChargerContinous TestCorrosionCurrentCurrent CollectorCutoff VoltageCycleCycle LifeCyclic LoadsCyclingCylindrical BatteryDamage due to Long Down-TimesDeep DischargeDeep-Cycle BatteryDegassingDepth of DischargeDirect CurrentDischarge RateDischargingDistilled WaterDouble LidDry-ChargedElectrolysisElectrolyteEnd of Charging VoltageEnhanced Flooded BatteryExpanded Metall GridFill LevelFlat PlateFloat ChargeFlooded BatteryFuseGas Recombinant TechnologyGassingGel BatteryGlass MatGridGroundGround CableHVTHybrid BatteryImmobilized ElectrolyteInternal ResistanceIonLead SedimentsLead SulfateLead-Acid BatteryLithium Iron Phosphate BatteryLithium-Ion BatteryLoadLow-MaintenanceM.A.S.S.MaintenanceMaintenance-FreeMemory EffectMultimeterNegative (-)Negative (-) PlateNominal VoltageNon-SpillableOpen Circuit VoltageOpen-Circuit VoltageOverchargingParallel CircuitPlacement of TerminalsPlatePlate PackPlate SetPolarityPole GreasePositive (+)Positive (+) PlatePrimary BatteryPulse ChargePure Lead BatteryRapid-Charge BatteryRecycling EffiencyResistorReversed PolaritySLI BatterySafety ReserveSealSealed Maintenance-FreeSecondary BatterySelf-DischargeSelf-Discharge RateSeparatorSeries CircuitSeries/Parallel CircuitService LifeShock-ResistantShort CircuitSilent LoadsSilverSmart ChargerSpacerSpecific GravityStandbyStart-Light-IgnitionState of ChargeStationary BatterySulfatingSuper-Heavy Duty BatterySupply BatteryTemperature Cut-offTerminalTerminal BridgeTerminal Pole TypeTerminal VoltageTraction BatteryTubular PlateUninterrupted Power SupplyUnwanted ResistanceValve-Regulated Lead-Acid BatteryVent CapVented BatteryVenting HoseVibrationVoltVoltageVoltmeterWattWatt-HourWet ChargedZinc-Air Cellkey-off drain
Self-Discharge Rate

The rate at which a fully charged battery discharges without being used.

Rechargable batteries have a higher self-discharge rate than primary cells.

The lower the rate, the longer a battery can be stored without having to recharge it. It also requires only a lower trickle charge to keep the battery fully operational at all times. This is especially important in safety critical applications and for supply batteries.