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Cells and batteries may be connected in
series, parallel, or combinations of both. Cells or
batteries connected in series have the positive terminal of
one cell or battery connected to the negative terminal of
another cell or battery. This has the effect of increasing
the overall voltage but the overall capacity remains the
same. For example, the 12-V lead-acid automobile battery
contains 6 cells connected in series with each cell having a
potential difference of about 2 V. Another example of cells
or batteries connected in series is shown below.
Series Cells
Cells or batteries connected in parallel
have their like terminals connected together. The overall
voltage remains the same but the capacity is increased. For
example, if two 12-V automotive batteries were connected in
parallel, the overall voltage for the batteries would still
be 12 V. However, the connected batteries would have twice
the capacity of a single 12-V battery. Another example of
cells or batteries connected in parallel is shown below.
Parallel Cells
Batteries may also be connected in a
series/parallel combination. Batteries are added in series
until the desired voltage is obtained, and in parallel until
the battery bank meets capacity requirements. Only like
cells or batteries should be connected together. Connecting
cells or batteries of different rating or manufacturer may
produce undesirable or even dangerous results.
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