Powerful, reliable and robust, lead acid batteries are relied upon as a backup power source in many different applications, including in renewable energy systems, cars and emergency power procedures.
Lead acid batteries get their name due to the lead plates and sulphuric acid that are contained within them. The two lead plates are set opposite each other in the sulphuric acid and separated by an insulating material.
The lead plates act as an anode and cathode, while the sulphuric acid is an electrolyte that contains hydrogen and sulphate ions. Negatively-charged sulphate and positively-charged hydrogen are attracted to the lead cathode and anode respectively.
When the appliance or device attached to the battery is turned on, a reaction occurs on the cathode as sulphate ions give up their negative ions and lead sulphate is created. As levels of lead sulphate increase, the electrolyte becomes weaker and resistance on the plates increases. This triggers the flow of negative electrons into the attached device or appliance.