The Standard Electrical Dictionary / A Popular Dictionary of Words and Terms Used in the Practice of Electrical Engineering

by T. O'Conor Sloane

Fig. 42. DE LA RUE'S BATTERY.
63 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.
Battery, Dry.
(a) A form of open circuit battery in which the solutions by a mass of
zinc oxychloride, gypsum, or by a gelatinous mass such as gelatinous
silica, or glue jelly, are made practically solid. Numbers of such have
been patented, and have met with considerable success.
(b) Zamboni's dry pile, q. v., is sometimes termed a dry battery.
Battery, Element of.
A term applied sometimes to a single plate, sometimes to the pair of
plates, positive and negative, of the single couple.
Battery, Faradic.
A term applied, not very correctly however, to apparatus for producing
medical faradic currents. It may be an induction coil with battery, or a
magneto-generator worked by hand.
Battery, Ferric Chloride.
A battery of the Bunsen type, in which a solution of perchloride of iron
(ferric chloride) is used for the depolarizing agent. A little bromine
is added with advantage. The depolarizing agent recuperates on standing,
by oxidation from the oxygen of the air.
Battery, Fuller's.
A battery of the Bunsen type. The zinc plate is short and conical, and
rests in the porous jar into which some mercury is poured. An insulated
copper wire connects with the zinc. A plate of carbon is in the outer
jar. The solutions are used as in the Bunsen battery.
Synonym--Mercury Bichromate Battery.
Battery, Gas.
(a) A battery whose action depends on the oxidation of hydrogen as its
generating factor. It was invented by Grove. Plates of platinum are
immersed in cups of dilute acid, arranged as if they were plates of zinc
and carbon, in an ordinary battery. Each plate is surrounded by a glass
tube sealed at the top. The plates are filled with acid to the tops.
Through the top the connection is made. A current from another battery
is then passed through it, decomposing the water and surrounding the
upper part of one set of plates with an atmosphere of oxygen and of the
other with hydrogen. Considerable quantities of these gasses are also
occluded by the plates. On now connecting the terminals of the battery,
it gives a current in the reverse direction of that of the charging
current.
This battery, which is experimental only, is interesting as being the
first of the storage batteries.
(b) Upward's Chlorine Battery and any battery of that type (see Battery,
Upward's,) is sometimes termed a gas battery.
64 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.
Battery Gauge.
A pocket or portable galvanometer for use in testing batteries and
connections.
Battery, Gravity.
A battery of the Daniell type, in which the porous cup is suppressed and
the separation of the fluids is secured by their difference in specific
gravity. A great many forms have been devised, varying only in details.
The copper plate, which is sometimes disc shaped, but in any case of
inconsiderable height, rests at the bottom of the jar. Near the top the
zinc plate, also flat or of slight depth, is supported. As exciting
liquid a strong solution of copper sulphate lies at the bottom of the
jar. This is overlaid by a solution of zinc sulphate, or sodium
sulphate, which must be of considerably less specific gravity than that
of the copper sulphate solution. In charging the jar one-tenth of a
saturated solution of zinc sulphate mixed with water is sometimes used
as the upper fluid. This may be first added so as to half fill the jar.
The strong solution of copper sulphate may then be added with a syphon
or syringe underneath the other so as to raise it up. From time to time
copper sulphate in crystals are dropped into the jar. They sink to the
bottom and maintain the copper sulphate solution in a state of
saturation.

Fig. 43. GRAVITY BATTERY OF THE TROUVÉ-CALLAUD TYPE.
If the battery is left on open circuit the liquids diffuse, and metallic
copper precipitates upon the zincs. This impairs its efficiency and
creates local action. As long as the battery is kept at work on closed
circuit work but little deposition, comparatively speaking, occurs.
From time to time, in any case, the zinc plates are removed and scraped,
so as to remove the copper which inevitably forms on their surface. Care
must be taken that the zinc sulphate solution, which is constantly
increasing in strength, does not get so strong as to become of as high
specific gravity as the copper sulphate solution. From time to time some
of the upper solution is therefore removed with a syphon or syringe and
replaced with water. An areometer is useful in running this battery.
65 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.
Battery, Grenet.
A plunge battery with zinc positive and carbon negative electrodes.
Electropoion or other chromic acid or bichromate solution is used as
depolarizer and excitant. The zinc plate alone is plunged into and
withdrawn from the solution.

Fig. 44. GRENET'S BATTERY.

Fig. 45. GROVE'S BATTERY.
Battery, Grove's.
A two fluid galvanic battery. A porous cup has within it a riband of
platinum, which is the negative plate; amalgamated zinc in the outer jar
is the positive plate. Dilute sulphuric acid (10 per cent. solution) is
placed in the outer jar, and strong nitric acid (40° B.) as a
depolarizer in the porous cups. Its E. M. F. is 1.96 volts.
It is objectionable, as it gives off corrosive nitrous fumes. These are
produced by the oxidation of the nascent hydrogen by the nitric acid, by
the following reaction:
3 H + H N O3 = 2 H2 O + N O. There are other reactions, one of which
results in the formation of ammonia by the reduction of the nitric acid
radical by the hydrogen. Ammonium can be detected in the spent liquids.
66 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.
Battery, Hydrochloric Acid.
A battery in which hydrochloric acid is used as the excitant. Many
attempts have been made to use this acid in batteries, but the volatile
nature of the acid causes the production of so much odor with corrosive
fumes that it has never come into use.
Battery, Lead Chloride.
A battery of the lead sulphate type in which lead chloride is the
depolarizer. It has had no extended use.
Battery, Lead Sulphate.
A battery similar to Marié Davy's battery or the gravity battery, but
using lead sulphate as depolarizer and excitant. Lead, copper or tin is
the material of the negative plate. Becquerel used the lead sulphate as
a solid cylindrical mass surrounding a lead rod 1/5 to 1/4 inch in
diameter. One part of common salt may be mixed with 5 parts of the lead
sulphate. The electro-motive force is about 0.5 volt. The resistance is
very high.
Battery, Leclanché.
An open circuit battery with porous cup. In the outer jar is a zinc rod;
a carbon plate is placed in the porous cup. The latter is packed with a
mixture of clean powdered manganese binoxide as depolarizer, and
graphite in equal volumes. A strong solution of ammonium chloride (sal
ammoniac) is placed in the outer jar. It is only used on open circuit
work. Its electromotive force is 1.48 volts, when not polarized.
The reaction is supposed to be about the following:
2 N H4 Cl + 2 Mn O2 + Zn = Zn Cl2 + 2 N H3 + H2 0 + M2 O3
The battery rapidly weakens on open circuit, but quickly recuperates.
There is another form of this battery, termed the agglomerate battery.
(See Battery, Leclanché Agglomerate.)

Fig. 46. LECLANCHÉ BATTERY.
Battery, Leclanché Agglomerate.
A form of the Leclanché in which the porous jar is suppressed. Cakes
made of a mixture of carbon, 52 parts; manganese binoxide, 40 parts; gum
lac, 5 parts; potassium bisulphate, 3 parts, compressed at 300
atmospheres, at a temperature of 100° C. (212° F.), are fastened by
India rubber bands or otherwise against the carbon plate. These
constitute the depolarizer. Various shapes are given the carbon and
depolarizing agglomerates.
Battery, Local.
A battery supplying a local circuit (see Circuit. Local). The current is
governed by the relay situated on the main line and operated by its
current.
Battery, Main.
The battery used in operating the main line. It is usually applied to
telegraphy. Its function is then to supply current for working relays,
which in turn actuate the local circuits.
Main and local circuits and batteries are also used in the automatic
block system of railroad signalling.
67 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.
Battery, Marié Davy's.
A two fluid porous cup battery with carbon negative plate, zinc positive
plate, and mercury sulphate, a nearly insoluble salt, as depolarizer and
excitant. Mercurous or mercuric sulphates have been used in it. Its
electromotive force is 1.5 volts. The local action and waste, owing to
the slight solubility of the mercury compounds, is very slight. If used
on close circuit it becomes polarized. It is also subject under extreme
circumstances to reversal of polarity, zinc becoming deposited upon the
carbon, and there forming a positive electrode.
In using the cells in series the level of liquid in all must be the
same, otherwise the cell in which it is lowest will become polarized and
exhausted.
Modifications of this battery on the lines of the gravity battery have
been constructed.
Synonym--Sulphate of Mercury Battery.
Battery, Maynooth's.
A battery of the Bunsen type, with cast iron negative plate. The iron
takes the passive form and is not attacked.
Battery, Medical.
A term applied very indiscriminately to medical current generators, and
to medical induction coils, or to any source of electricity, static or
current, for medical application.
68 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.
Battery, Meidinger's.
A variety of Daniell cell of the gravity type. The plates are
cylindrical. The zinc plate lies against the upper walls of the vessel.
The copper plate of smaller diameter rests on the bottom. A large tube,
with an aperture in its bottom, is supported in the centre and is
charged with copper sulphate crystals. The cup is filled with a dilute
solution of Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) or with dilute sulphuric
acid.
Battery Mud.
A deposit of mud-like character which forms in gravity batteries and
which consists of metallic copper precipitated by the zinc. It indicates
wasteful action.
Battery, Multiple-connected.
A battery connected in parallel, all the positive plates being connected
to one electrode, and all the negative to another.
Battery, Nitric Acid.
A battery in which nitric acid is used as the excitant. Owing to its
cost and volatility this acid has been but little used in batteries,
other than as a depolarizer. In Grove's battery (see Battery, Grove's)
it has been thus used.
Battery of Dynamos.
A number of dynamos may be arranged to supply the same circuit. They are
then sometimes termed as above, a Dynamo Battery. They may be arranged
in series or in parallel or otherwise combined.
Battery of Leyden Jars.
To produce the quantity effect of a single large Leyden jar with a
number of small ones they are often connected in parallel and termed a
battery. In such case the inner coatings are all connected by regular
bar conductors, and the outside coatings are also all in connection.
They are conveniently placed in a box or deep tray whose inner surface
is lined with tinfoil, with an outside connection for grounding, etc.
The cascade, q. v., arrangement is not so generally termed a battery.
Battery, Open Circuit.
A battery adapted for use in open circuit work. Its main requirement is
that it shall not run down, or exhaust itself when left on open circuit.
The Leclanché battery is very extensively used for this work. Its action
is typical of that of most open circuit batteries. It is without any
action on open circuit. It is very quickly exhausted on closed circuit,
but recuperates or depolarizes quite soon when on open circuit. It is
always in condition for a momentary connection, but useless for steady
work.
Battery, Oxide of Copper.
A battery with zinc positive and iron negative electrodes. The excitant
is a 30 or 40 per cent. solution of sodium or potassium hydrate (caustic
soda or caustic potash). The depolarizer is copper oxide. In action the
copper is gradually reduced to the metallic state. The iron element is
often the containing vessel. The battery is practically inactive on open
circuit.
Its electro-motive force varies from .75 to .90 volt. To prevent the
formation of sodium or potassium carbonate the cell should be closed, or
else the liquid should be covered with mineral oil.
Synonyms--Lalande & Chaperon Battery--Lalande-Edison Battery.
69 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.
Battery, Peroxide of Lead.
A battery in which peroxide of lead (lead binoxide) is the depolarizer.
It is a sort of predecessor of the present secondary battery.
Battery, Platinized Carbon.
A modification of Smee's battery, in which platinized carbon is used for
the negative plates. Before polarization the E. M. F. is equal to that
of Smee's battery. Polarization reduces its electro-motive force
one-half.
Battery, Plunge.
A battery whose plates are mounted so as to be immersed in the battery
cups or cells, when the battery is to be used, and withdrawn and
supported out of the cups when not in use. The object is to prevent
wasting of the plates by standing in the solution. It is a construction
generally used with sulphuric acid--chromic acid solution and
amalgamated zinc and carbon plates.
Battery, Pneumatic.
A battery arranged to have air blown through the solution to assist
diffusion and depolarization. It is a construction applied to chromic
acid or bichromate batteries.
Battery, Primary.
A battery in which the current is supplied by the solution of one of the
plates by the solution. The term distinguishes it from a secondary or
storage battery.
Battery, Pulvermacher's Electro-Medical.
In this battery, the electrodes were zinc and copper wires wound upon
small pieces of wood. Dilute vinegar was used as the excitant, because
it could be found in every household. Formerly the battery had great
success. It is now little used.
Battery, Sal Ammoniac.
Batteries in which a solution of ammonium chloride is the excitant; they
are very extensively used on open circuit work. (See Battery,
Leclanché.)
The crystals formed in these batteries have been analyzed and found to
consist of ammonium zinc chloride, 3 Zn Cl2, 8 N H3, 4 H20.
Battery, Salt, or Sea Salt.
Batteries in which a solution of sodium chloride or common salt is the
excitant, have been largely used, especially for telegraphic purposes.
The Swiss telegraphs use a carbon-zinc combination with salt and water
as the excitant. The batteries are sometimes mounted as plunge
batteries. They are exhausted by short circuiting after some hours, but
recuperate on standing. The zinc is not amalgamated.
70 STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.
Battery, Sand.
A battery whose cells are charged with sand saturated with dilute acid.
It prevents spilling of acid. It is now practically obsolete.