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IEC battery nomenclature

Three different technical committees of IEC make standards on batteries: TC21(lead-acid), SC21(other secondary) and TC35(primary). Each group has published standards relating to the nomenclature of batteries - IEC 60095 for lead-acid starter batteries, IEC 61951-1 and 61951-2 for Ni-Cd and Ni-MH batteries, IEC 61960 for Li-ion, and IEC 60086-1 for primary batteries.

Primary batteries

Battery numbering

Examples of the IEC nomenclature are batteries coded R20, 4R25X, 4LR25-2, 6F22, 6P222/162, CR17345 and LR2616J. The letters and numbers in the code indicate the number of cells, cell chemistry, shape, dimensions, the number of parallel paths in the assembled battery and any modifying letters deemed necessary. A multi-section battery (two or more voltages from the same package) will have a multi-section designation.

Prior to October 1990, round cells were designated with a sequential numeric size code ranging from R06 through to R70, for example R20 is the size of a "D" cell or ANSI"13" size. After October 1990, round cells are systematically identified with a number derived from their diameter and height. Primary cells larger than 100 mm in diameter or height are designated with an oblique "/" between diameter and height.

Examples of IEC battery designations

Designation	Series Cells	System	Shape	Standardized code or diameter code	Diameter modifier	Height code	Height adjustment modifier	Modifier(s)	Parallel strings	Remarks
R20			R	20						A single zinc-carbon torch cell. Size 20 which is equivalent to D, or ANSI "13" size
4R25X	4		R	25				X		A zinc-carbon lantern battery. Consisting of 4 round size 25 cells in series. Terminated with spring terminals.
4LR25-2	4	L	R	25					2	An alkaline lantern battery. Consisting of 2 parallel strings of 4 round size 25 cells in series.
6F22	6		F	22						A zinc-carbon rectangular battery. Consisting of 6 flat size 22 cells. Equivalent to a PP3 or transistor battery.
6P222/162	6		P	222		162				A zinc-carbon battery. Maximum dimensions: length 192 mm, width 113 mm, and height 162 mm. Consisting of 6 cells in series.
CR17345		C	R	17		345				A single-cell round lithium cell. 17 mm diameter, 34.5 mm height.
LR2616J		L	R	26		16	J			A single-cell round alkaline battery, 26.2 mm diameter, 1.67 mm height.
LR8D425		L	R	8.5	D	42.5				A single-cell round alkaline battery, 8.8 mm diameter (8.5 +0.3 for modifier) and 42.5 mm long, AAAA or ANSI "25" size.

Electrochemical system

IEC 60086 battery type designation system.

The first letter identifies the chemical composition of the battery, which also implies a nominal voltage.

It is common to refer to the negative electrode first in IEC battery definitions.

IEC codes for battery electrochemical systems

Letter code	Negative electrode	Electrolyte	Positive electrode	Nominal voltage (V)	Maximum open circuit voltage (V)	Main article
(none)	Zinc	Ammonium chloride, Zinc chloride	Manganese dioxide	1.5	1.725	Zinc-carbon battery
A	Zinc	Ammonium chloride, Zinc chloride	Oxygen	1.4	1.55	Zinc-air battery
B	Lithium	Organic electrolyte	Carbon monofluoride	3.0	3.7	Lithium battery
C	Lithium	Organic electrolyte	Manganese dioxide	3.0	3.7
E	Lithium	Non-aqueous inorganic electrolyte	Thionyl chloride	3.6	3.9
F	Lithium	Organic electrolyte	Iron disulfide	1.5	1.83
G	Lithium	Organic electrolyte	Copper(II) oxide	1.5	2.3
L	Zinc	Alkali metal hydroxide	Manganese dioxide	1.5	1.65	Alkaline battery
M (withdrawn)	Zinc	Alkali metal hydroxide	Mercuric oxide	1.35		Mercury battery
N (withdrawn)	Zinc	Alkali metal hydroxide	Mercuric oxide, manganese dioxide	1.4
P	Zinc	Alkali metal hydroxide	Oxygen	1.4	1.68	Zinc-air battery
S	Zinc	Alkali metal hydroxide	Silver oxide	1.55	1.63	Silver-oxide battery
Z	Zinc	Alkali metal hydroxide	Manganese dioxide, nickel oxyhydroxide	1.5	1.78	Nickel oxyhydroxide battery

Italics indicate a chemical system unlikely to be found in consumer or general-purpose batteries, or withdrawn from the current standard.

Shape

LR44 alkaline cell.

Shape codes are:

R Round, (coin, button or cylindrical)

P Not round

F Flat (layer built)

S Square (or rectangular or prismatic)

Italics indicate a shape code that is still in use but is not to be used for new battery definitions.

Size code

Certain sizes, given by one or two digit numbers, represent standard size codes from previous editions of the standard. Sizes given as 4 or more digits indicate the diameter of the battery and the overall height.

The numbers in the code correlate with the battery dimensions. For batteries with dimensions of < 100 mm the (truncated) diameter in millimetres, followed by the height in tenths of a millimetre; for batteries with a single dimension ≥ 100 mm the diameter in millimetres, then a slash (/) followed by the height in millimetres.

As well as the recommended size code definitions there are also ten modifying suffix letters that can be added to the end of the specific size code. These run from A to L (omitting F and I) and depending on the largest dimension of the battery can either signify 0.0 – 0.9 mm maximum dimensions or 0.00 – 0.09 mm maximum dimensions with A being 0.0 or 0.00 and L being 0.9 or 0.09.

For flat cells the diameter code is given as the diameter of a circle circumscribed around the whole cell's area.

Standardized size codes for round batteries which do not follow the current nomenclature but have been retained for ease of use are given by a one or two digit number following the R. These include but are not limited to:

IEC size codes for round batteries

Number code	Nominal diameter	Nominal height	Common name
R25	32	91	F
R20	34.2	61.5	D
R14	26.2	50.0	C
R6	14.5	50.5	AA
R1	12.0	30.2	N
R03	10.5	44.5	AAA

Round button batteries also carry two-digit size codes such as R44, see the button battery table for typical dimensions. Other round, flat, and square sizes have been standardized but are used mostly for components of multi-cell batteries.

Assorted sizes of button and coin cells, including alkaline and silver oxide chemistries. Four rectangular 9v batteries are also shown, for size comparison. Enlarge to see the button and coin cell size code markings.

The following is a partial list of IEC standard recommended diameter and height codes for round cells:

IEC recommended round cell diameter and height codes

Number code	Maximum diameter	Maximum height
4	4.8
5	5.8
6	6.8
7	7.9
9	9.5
10	10.0
11	11.6
12	12.5	1.20
16	16	1.60
20	20	2.00
23	23
24	24.5
25		2.50
30		3.00
36		3.60
50		5.00

Modifiers

After the package size code(s), additional letters may optionally appear. Terminal styles and variants of the same battery can be designated with the letters X or Y. Performance levels may also be designated with a C, P, S, CF, HH, or HB or other letter suffixes. An appended letter "W" states that this battery complies with all the requirements of the IEC 60086-3 standard for watch batteries, such as dimensional tolerance, chemical leakage, and test methods.

Battery categories

IEC nomenclature classifies batteries according to their general shape and overall physical appearance. These categories, however, are not identified in the IEC battery nomenclature.

Category 1: Cylindrical cells with protruding positive and recessed or flat negative terminals. The positive terminal shall be concentric with the cell overall. The total height of the cell is not necessarily the same as the total distance between terminals (This accounts for nubs, recesses and battery casings). The cell casing is insulated. E.g. R1 & LR8D425
Category 2: Cylindrical cells with protruding positive and protruding or flat negative terminals. The total height of the cell is the same as the total distance between terminals. The cell casing is insulated. E.g. CR14250, LR61
Category 3: Cylindrical cells with flat positive and negative terminals. The total height of the cell is not necessarily the same as the total distance between terminals (This accounts for any protuberances from the negative terminal). The cell casing is in connection with the positive terminal. No part of the cell is allowed to protrude from the positive terminal surface. E.g. CR11108, LR9
Category 4: Cylindrical cells with a protruding flat negative terminal. The total height of the cell is the same as the total distance between terminals. The cell casing is the positive terminal and it is recommended that the outer surface is used for positive connection even though it is possible from the base. No part of the cell is allowed to protrude from the positive terminal surface. E.g. LR44, CR2032
Category 5: Cylindrical batteries which fit none of the other categories. E.g. R40, 8LR23
Category 6: Non-cylindrical batteries. E.g. 3R12, 4R25, 6F22

Secondary batteries

Nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries

Nickel-cadmium and Nickel-metal hydride batteries follow a similar rule as the system above; especially cylindrical cells designed to be dimensionally interchangeable with primary batteries use the same designation as the primary batteries, the codes for electrochemical systems as below.

Letter code	Negative electrode	Positive electrode	Nominal voltage (V)	Main article
H	Hydrogen absorbing alloy	Nickel oxide	1.2	Nickel-metal hydride battery
K	Cadmium	Nickel oxide	1.2	Nickel-cadmium battery

All other cells use the following system.

Small prismatic cells: KF or HF followed by maximum width in mm / maximum thickness in mm / maximum height in mm. E.g. KF 18/07/49

Cylindrical cells: KR or HR followed by a letter indicating discharge rate (L, H, M or X for low, medium, high and very high, respectively); then another letter may be added to indicate use at elevated temperatures (T or U) or rapid charge (R); then maximum diameter in mm / maximum height in mm. E.g. KRL 33/62, HRHR 23/43

Button cells: KB or HB followed by maximum diameter in tenths of mm / maximum height in tenths of mm. E.g. KBL 116/055

Lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have a different rule for naming, which applies both to batteries of multiple cells and single cell. They will be designated as:

N₁A₁A₂A₃N₂/N₃/N₄-N₅

where N₁ denotes number of series connected cells and N₅ denotes number of parallel connected cells (only when the number is greater than 1); these numbers only apply to batteries.

A₁ indicates the basis of negative electrode phase, where I is for lithium ion and L is for lithium metal or alloy.

A₂ indicates the basis of positive electrode phase, and could be C, N, V, M or T for cobalt, nickel, manganese, vanadium and titanium respectively.

A₃ is for the shape of the cell; either R for cylinder and P for prism.

N₂ is the maximum diameter (in case of cylindrical cells) or thickness (prismatic cells) in mm.

N₃ is only used for prismatic cells to denote the maximum width in mm.

N₄ is the maximum overall height in mm.

(For any of the lengths above, if the dimension is smaller than 1 mm it can be written as tN, where N is tenths of mm)

E.g. ICR19/66, ICPt9/35/48, 2ICP20/34/70, 1ICP20/68/70-2