Camera Battery

Lore & Background

In the world of camera batteries, the IEC prefix 'CR' denotes lithium manganese dioxide chemistry, which produces 3 volts per cell. Since LiMnO₂ cells produce 3 volts, there are no widely available alternative chemistries for a lithium coin battery. The 'BR' prefix indicates a round lithium/carbon monofluoride cell. One LiMnO₂ cell can replace two alkaline or silver-oxide cells. All these lithium cells are rated nominally 3 volts (on-load), with open-circuit voltage about 3.6 volts. Manufacturers may have their own part numbers for IEC standard size cells. The capacity listed is for a constant resistance discharge down to 2.0 volts per cell. For silver oxide and alkaline cells, sizes are shown for the silver-oxide IEC number; types and capacity are identified as '(L)' for alkaline, '(M)' for mercury (no longer manufactured), and '(S)' for silver-oxide. Some sizes may be interchangeably used in battery holders. For example, the 189/389 cell is 3.1 mm high and was designated 1131, while the 190/390 size is 3.0 mm high and was designated 1130, but a battery holder will accept either size.

In Their Own Story

The rain hammered against the roof of the abandoned house as Elias fumbled with his pack. 'Check your levels,' he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. He pulled out a digital camera and clicked it on; the battery icon blinked red. One bar left. It was enough for a few minutes, maybe less if the ghost started hunting. He moved toward the nursery, the silence pressing against his ears. Suddenly, the hallway lights flickered and died. The camera's screen glowed faintly in the dark, capturing the dust motes dancing in the beam of his flashlight. Then, a cold draft hit him, and the battery icon vanished instantly. The screen went black just as he heard the floorboards creak behind him.

Reader's Guide

The Camera Battery is used to power digital and film cameras, as well as flashlights and portable electronic devices. As well as other types, digital and film cameras often use specialized primary batteries to produce a compact product. Flashlights and portable electronic devices may also use these types. The complete nomenclature for a battery specifies size, chemistry, terminal arrangement, and special characteristics. The same physically interchangeable cell size or battery size may have widely different characteristics; physical interchangeability is not the sole factor in substituting a battery. The full battery designation identifies not only the size, shape and terminal layout of the battery but also the chemistry (and therefore the voltage per cell) and the number of cells in the battery. For example, a CR123 battery is always LiMnO₂ ('Lithium') chemistry, in addition to its unique size. The following tables give the common battery chemistry types for the current common sizes of batteries.

Did You Know?

• The IEC prefix 'CR' denotes lithium manganese dioxide chemistry, which produces 3 volts per cell.
• One LiMnO₂ cell can replace two alkaline or silver-oxide cells.
• All lithium cells are rated nominally 3 volts (on-load), with open-circuit voltage about 3.6 volts.
• The 'BR' prefix indicates a round lithium/carbon monofluoride cell.
• For silver oxide and alkaline cells, types and capacity are identified as '(L)' for alkaline, '(M)' for mercury (no longer manufactured), and '(S)' for silver-oxide.