A.12 APPENDIX A
Short-Circuit Current The initial value of the current obtained from a battery in a
circuit of negligible resistance.
Sintered Electrode An electrode construction in which active materials are deposited
in the interstices of a porous metal matrix made by sintering metal powder.
SLI Battery A battery designed to start internal combustion engines and to power the
electrical systems in automobiles when the engine is not running (starting, lighting, ig-
nition).
Specific Energy The ratio of the energy output of a cell or battery to its weight (Wh /
kg). (See also ENERGY DENSITY.)
Specific Gravity The specific gravity of a solution is the ratio of the weight of the
solution to the weight of an equal volume of water at a specified temperature.
Specific Power The ratio of the power delivered by a cell or battery to its weight
(W/ kg). (See also POWER DENSITY.)
Spirally Wound Cell A cylindrical cell which uses an electrode structure made by
winding the electrodes and separators into a cylindrical ‘‘jelly-roll’’ construction. (See
Fig. 28.2 and Fig. 14.8).
Standard Electrode Potential The equilibrium value of an electrode potential when all
the constituents taking part in the electrode reaction are in the standard state.
Standby Battery A battery designed for emergency use in the event of a main power
failure.
Starved Electrolyte Cell A cell containing little or no free fluid electrolyte. This
enables gases to reach electrode surfaces during charging and facilitates gas recombina-
tion.
State-of-Charge (SOC) The available capacity in a battery expressed as a percentage
of rated capacity.
Stationary Battery A secondary battery designed for use in a fixed location.
Storage Battery See SECONDARY BATTERY.
Storage Life See SHELF LIFE.
Sulfation Process occurring in lead batteries that have been stored and allowed to self-
discharge for extended periods of time. Large crystals of lead sulfate grow that interfere
with the function of the active materials.
Taper Charge A charge regime delivering moderately high rate charging current when
the battery is at a low state of charge and tapering the charging current to lower rates as
the battery is charged.
Thermal Runaway A condition whereby a battery on charge or discharge will overheat
and destroy itself through internal heat generation caused by high overcharge or overdis-
charging current or other abusive condition.
Traction Battery A secondary battery designed for the propulsion of electric vehicles
or electrically operated mobile equipment operating in a deep-cycle regime.
Transfer Coefficient The transfer coefficient determines what fraction of the electrical
energy of a system resulting from the displacement of the potential from the equilibrium
value that affects the rate of electrochemical transformation. (See Chap. 2.)
Transition Time The time of an electrode process from the initiation of the process at
constant current to the moment an abrupt change in potential occurs signifying that a new
electrode process is controlling the electrode potential.
Transport Number The fraction of the total cell current carried by the cation of an
electrolyte solution is called the ‘‘cation transport number.’’ Similarly, the fraction of the
total current carried by the anion is referred to as the ‘‘anion transport number.’’ Also
called Transference Number.