Wet Cell Storage Batteries, Batteries supply direct current (DC) power. Batteries contain cells. A cell is a device that uses chemical energy to produ
- Wet Cell Storage Batteries
- Dry Cell Batteries

In a wet cell a chemical reaction which produces electricity takes place in a liquid. Figure shows a typical wet cell.
The acid electrolyte (sulfuric acid and water) reacts with the zinc bar. Positively charged zinc atoms, or ions, go into the electrolyte solution. Free negative electrons remain in the zinc bar, giving it a negative charge. Positive ions in the electrolyte (the liquid) collect around the copper bar, giving it a positive charge.
The chemical reaction creates (makes) an electrical potential across the electrodes. Although a voltage potential exists, there is still no electricity. Recall that electricity is the flow of electrons.Without a circuit that connects the positive and negative terminals, there is no path for the electrons to flow through. In Figure, a wire connects the two terminals. Now there is a path, or circuit, for electrons to follow. The free electrons flow from the negatively charged zinc terminal through the wire to the positively charged copper terminal. This electron flow lights up the lamp in the circuit.

The battery charger is powered from the AC power supply. If there is a major power failure, the storage batteries will supply emergency DC power for the plant. Large storage batteries can produce a very high current. If you drop metal tools onto storage batteries it can cause a short circuit. This could cause a large spark (flash) and possibly an explosion.

- IEEE 484, Recommended Practice for Installation Design and Installation of Vented Lead-Acid Batteries for Stationary Applications
- IEEE 485, Recommended Practice for Sizing Vented Lead-Acid Storage Batteries for Stationary Applications
- IEEE 1145, Recommended Practice for Installation and Maintenance of Nickel-Cadmium Batteries for Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
- IEEE 1187, Recommended Practice for Installation Design, and Installation of Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid Batteries for Stationary Applications
- IEEE 1375, IEEE Guide for the Protection of Stationary Battery Systems
- IEEE 1578, Recommended Practice for Stationary Battery Electrolyte Spill Containment and Management
- IEEE 1635/ASHRAE 21, Guide for the Ventilation and Thermal Management of Batteries for Stationary Applications
- UL 1973, Standard for Batteries for Use in Light Electric Rail (LER) Applications and Stationary Applications
- UL Subject 2436, Outline of Investigation for Spill Containment for Stationary Lead Acid Battery Systems
- UL 1989, Standard for Standby Batteries
- NFPA
- IEC
- Hand Books
- [accordion]
- 1. How a lead-acid battery works
-
- 2. Acid Batteries Work: A Simple Guide
-
- 3. Lithium Process Chemistry Resources by Alexandre Chagnes Jolanta Swiatowska
- 4. Computer Aided Engineering of Batteries (2023)
- 5. IEC 60095-1-2018 General requirements and methods of test
- 6. IEC 60095-2_2021 Dimensions of batteries and dimensions and marking of terminals
- 7. IEC 60095-4-2021 Dimensions of batteries for heavy vehicles
- 8. IEEE Std 484-2002 RP Installation Design and Installation of Vented Lead-Acid Batteries
- 9. IEEE Std 485 2020 RP Sizing Lead Acid Batteries
- 10. IEEE Std 1187 2013 RP Design and Installation Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid Batteries
- 11. IEEE Std 1375 1998 Guide for the Protection of Stationary Battery Systems
- 12. IEEE Std 1578 2018 2007 RP Battery Electrolyte Spill Containment and Management
- 13. IEEE Std 1635 2022 Ventilation and Thermal Management of Batteries
- 14. Linden's Handbook of Batteries, 5th Edition
- 15. NFPA 1 2018 Fire Code - Article Batteries Storage
- 16. NFPA 1 2020 Fire Code - Article Batteries Storage
- 17. NFPA 70E (2018) Electrical Safety in the Workplace
- 18. NFPA 75 2020 Std Fire Prot of Information Technology Equipment
- 19. NFPA 76 2020 Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities
- 20. NFPA 111-2019 Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and Standby Power Systems
- 21. NFPA 855 2020 the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems
- 22. UL 1973-2022 Std for Safety Batteries for Use in Stationary and Motive Auxiliary Power
- 23. UL 1989 2013 Standard for Standby Batteries
- 1. How a lead-acid battery works
- 2. Acid Batteries Work: A Simple Guide
- 3. Lithium Process Chemistry Resources by Alexandre Chagnes Jolanta Swiatowska
- 4. Computer Aided Engineering of Batteries (2023)
- 5. IEC 60095-1-2018 General requirements and methods of test
- 6. IEC 60095-2_2021 Dimensions of batteries and dimensions and marking of terminals
- 7. IEC 60095-4-2021 Dimensions of batteries for heavy vehicles
- 8. IEEE Std 484-2002 RP Installation Design and Installation of Vented Lead-Acid Batteries
- 9. IEEE Std 485 2020 RP Sizing Lead Acid Batteries
- 10. IEEE Std 1187 2013 RP Design and Installation Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid Batteries
- 11. IEEE Std 1375 1998 Guide for the Protection of Stationary Battery Systems
- 12. IEEE Std 1578 2018 2007 RP Battery Electrolyte Spill Containment and Management
- 13. IEEE Std 1635 2022 Ventilation and Thermal Management of Batteries
- 14. Linden's Handbook of Batteries, 5th Edition
- 15. NFPA 1 2018 Fire Code - Article Batteries Storage
- 16. NFPA 1 2020 Fire Code - Article Batteries Storage
- 17. NFPA 70E (2018) Electrical Safety in the Workplace
- 18. NFPA 75 2020 Std Fire Prot of Information Technology Equipment
- 19. NFPA 76 2020 Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities
- 20. NFPA 111-2019 Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and Standby Power Systems
- 21. NFPA 855 2020 the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems
- 22. UL 1973-2022 Std for Safety Batteries for Use in Stationary and Motive Auxiliary Power
- 23. UL 1989 2013 Standard for Standby Batteries