Fig. 1,051.—"Unformed" plate of one pattern of Gould storage cell. The particular plate shown has total outside dimensions of 6×6 inches. The clear outline of the grooves indicates absence of oxides, due to action of "forming" solutions, or charging current.
Theory of the Storage Battery.—The action of the storage battery is practically the same as that of the primary battery and it is subject to the same general laws. The cells of a storage battery are connected in the same way as primary cells, and when charged is capable of generating a current of electricity in a manner similar to that of a primary battery. It differs, however, from the primary battery in that it is capable of being recharged after exhaustion by passing an electric current through it in a direction opposite to that of the current on discharge. This difference constitutes the principal advantage of the storage battery over the primary battery.
Figs. 1,052 and 1,053.—Electric Storage Battery Co., type H "exide" plates. This form of plate is used for large "stand by" batteries. Fig. 1,052, positive plate; [fig. 1,053], negative plate.
Ques. Describe a storage cell.
Ans. A storage cell consists of plates or of grids in an electrolyte, of such a character that the electrical energy supplied to it is converted into chemical energy (a process called charging). The chemical energy can be reconverted into electrical energy (a process called discharging).