Re: Why do Nickel-Cadmium batteries have a 'memory effect'?

Date: Thu Jun 24 18:13:38 1999
Posted By: Steve Czarnecki, senior technical staff member, Lockheed Martin
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 927691875.Ch

Message:

By far, the most comprehensive explanation I've ever seen is in the NiCd Battery FAQ .

The short answer is that what's popularly called "memory effect" really isn't that at all -- what's really going on is a decrease in cell capacity due to overcharging. The FAQ provides a detailed explanation of the phenomenon and the electrochemistry involved; I won't attempt to repeat it here.

Steve Czarnecki

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