What is 3V battery?

October 6, 2023Justlithiumbattery0 comments

What is 3V battery?

3V batteries usually refer to button batteries, such as CR2016, CR2025, and CR2032. Such batteries are usually not rechargeable and are mostly disposable. The most common material is lithium-manganese battery; the positive electrode material is manganese dioxide, and lithium is the negative electrode material. There are also some rechargeable 3V batteries on the market, but the cost is usually higher.

In addition, this kind of battery usually has higher energy density than other disposable batteries, such as alkaline manganese batteries, so that it can meet the needs of small size and high voltage at the same time. It is widely used in high-end electronic products, such as computers, remote controls, watches, and toys. , within BMS. And has the advantage of low self-discharge. According to statistics, taking the cylindrical CR123A as an example, the power supply time of this 3V battery can reach 3-5 times that of ordinary alkaline batteries.

Types of 3V batteries

The CR2016, 2025, and 2032 mentioned above are all button batteries. We have already introduced their advantages, low self-discharge, and high energy density. In addition to button batteries, the other main type of 3V battery is the cylindrical battery.

Such as CR123, CR123A and CR17335, etc. Although the voltage of this type is also 3V, its shape is a cylinder instead of a button. Among them, although the voltage of CR123 and CR123A are 3V, their charging voltages differ. The charging voltage of the former is 1.2V, but the latter can reach 1.5V. This means that CR123A will have faster charging efficiency and greatly reduce charging time.

Why are 3V batteries designed into cylindrical and button shapes?

This is due to production needs. Although they all have a standard feature, high energy density, if we think about it in terms of size and energy requirements, this problem will become very easy to understand.

If an application scenario requires strict volume restrictions, such as small toys, electronic watches, mobile terminals, tablets, etc., button batteries are undoubtedly the first choice. You can assume you don’t want your tablet to become too big and heavy because of a cylindrical battery.

Suppose an application scenario does not require strict limits on battery size, such as large toys, power tools, sensors, and other small and medium-sized industrial equipment. In that case, you can consider using cylindrical 3V batteries.

3V battery size:

Model	Bottom Area	Height	Type
CR123	16.5mm	34mm	Cylindrical
CR123A	17mm	34.5mm	Cylindrical
CR17335	17mm	33.5mm	Cylindrical
CR2016	20mm	1.6mm	Button Battery
CR2025	20mm	2.5mm	Button Battery
CR2032	20mm	3.2mm	Button Battery

What does CR stand for?

CR is a chemical substance used to indicate that the battery is lithium. It was first used by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Among them, C represents lithium battery, and R represents Cylindrical battery.

What does A stand for?

Typically, the letters the battery size follows CR, but sometimes the letter A is used, usually to indicate that the size is two-thirds the size of a standard A battery. However, some manufacturers will omit the A at the end.

How do 3V batteries work?

The working principle of 3V batteries is similar to that of lithium batteries. For details, please refer to the picture below. We explained the relevant principles in detail in another article: How do lithium batteries work?

How long can a 3V lithium battery be used?

Theoretically, as long as it is not stored at too high a temperature, such as 60°C, there will be no problem if stored for 10 years. However, actual statistics have found that in addition to being affected by temperature, the service life of the battery is also affected by the manufacturing process, storage humidity, etc. Data shows the average 3V lithium battery life is 4-6 years.

What are the advantages of 3V batteries?

Broad application scenarios: Due to its high energy density, the volume can be controlled very well and has various uses.

Mercury-free: the materials used are safe and environmentally friendly and do not pollute the environment.

Extremely low self-discharge: ensuring long-term, stable power supply to equipment.

Can be stored for a long time: can be safely stored below 60℃ for more than 10 years.

Can rechargeable CR123A be used interchangeably with non-rechargeable batteries?

If you don’t need to mix multiple batteries, there won’t be any problem in doing so. Still, usually, there may be slight differences in the voltage, capacity, and even size of rechargeable batteries and disposable batteries.

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Thomas Chen

Thomas Chen is a seasoned expert in the new energy industry, with a focus on lithium battery technology. A Shenzhen University alumnus, class of 2010, Thomas has cultivated a wealth of experience through pivotal roles at EVE and BYD. Renowned for his profound insights into the sector, he possesses a unique aptitude for identifying market trends and understanding customer needs. His articles offer a distinctive perspective, drawn from a rich background in the field.

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What is 3V battery?

3V batteries usually refer to button batteries, such as CR2016, CR2025, and CR2032. Such batteries are usually not rechargeable and are mostly disposable. The most common material is lithium-manganese battery; the positive electrode material is manganese dioxide, and lithium is the negative electrode material. There are also some rechargeable 3V batteries on the market, but the cost is usually higher.

In addition, this kind of battery usually has higher energy density than other disposable batteries, such as alkaline manganese batteries, so that it can meet the needs of small size and high voltage at the same time. It is widely used in high-end electronic products, such as computers, remote controls, watches, and toys. , within BMS. And has the advantage of low self-discharge. According to statistics, taking the cylindrical CR123A as an example, the power supply time of this 3V battery can reach 3-5 times that of ordinary alkaline batteries.

Types of 3V batteries

The CR2016, 2025, and 2032 mentioned above are all button batteries. We have already introduced their advantages, low self-discharge, and high energy density. In addition to button batteries, the other main type of 3V battery is the cylindrical battery.

Such as CR123, CR123A and CR17335, etc. Although the voltage of this type is also 3V, its shape is a cylinder instead of a button. Among them, although the voltage of CR123 and CR123A are 3V, their charging voltages differ. The charging voltage of the former is 1.2V, but the latter can reach 1.5V. This means that CR123A will have faster charging efficiency and greatly reduce charging time.

Why are 3V batteries designed into cylindrical and button shapes?

This is due to production needs. Although they all have a standard feature, high energy density, if we think about it in terms of size and energy requirements, this problem will become very easy to understand.

If an application scenario requires strict volume restrictions, such as small toys, electronic watches, mobile terminals, tablets, etc., button batteries are undoubtedly the first choice. You can assume you don’t want your tablet to become too big and heavy because of a cylindrical battery.

Suppose an application scenario does not require strict limits on battery size, such as large toys, power tools, sensors, and other small and medium-sized industrial equipment. In that case, you can consider using cylindrical 3V batteries.

3V battery size:

Model	Bottom Area	Height	Type
CR123	16.5mm	34mm	Cylindrical
CR123A	17mm	34.5mm	Cylindrical
CR17335	17mm	33.5mm	Cylindrical
CR2016	20mm	1.6mm	Button Battery
CR2025	20mm	2.5mm	Button Battery
CR2032	20mm	3.2mm	Button Battery

What does CR stand for?

CR is a chemical substance used to indicate that the battery is lithium. It was first used by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Among them, C represents lithium battery, and R represents Cylindrical battery.

What does A stand for?

Typically, the letters the battery size follows CR, but sometimes the letter A is used, usually to indicate that the size is two-thirds the size of a standard A battery. However, some manufacturers will omit the A at the end.

How do 3V batteries work?

The working principle of 3V batteries is similar to that of lithium batteries. For details, please refer to the picture below. We explained the relevant principles in detail in another article: How do lithium batteries work?

How long can a 3V lithium battery be used?

Theoretically, as long as it is not stored at too high a temperature, such as 60°C, there will be no problem if stored for 10 years. However, actual statistics have found that in addition to being affected by temperature, the service life of the battery is also affected by the manufacturing process, storage humidity, etc. Data shows the average 3V lithium battery life is 4-6 years.

What are the advantages of 3V batteries?

Broad application scenarios: Due to its high energy density, the volume can be controlled very well and has various uses.

Mercury-free: the materials used are safe and environmentally friendly and do not pollute the environment.

Extremely low self-discharge: ensuring long-term, stable power supply to equipment.

Can be stored for a long time: can be safely stored below 60℃ for more than 10 years.

Can rechargeable CR123A be used interchangeably with non-rechargeable batteries?

If you don’t need to mix multiple batteries, there won’t be any problem in doing so. Still, usually, there may be slight differences in the voltage, capacity, and even size of rechargeable batteries and disposable batteries.