Nine-volt battery

Vintage PP3-size 9-volt batteries
Size comparison of batteries: D, C, AA, AAA, AAAA, PP3 (9-volt)

The nine-volt battery, or 9-volt battery, is an electric battery that supplies a nominal voltage of 9 volts. Actual voltage measures 7.2 to 9.6 volts, depending on battery chemistry. Batteries of various sizes and capacities are manufactured; a very common size is known as PP3, introduced for early transistor radios. The PP3 has a rectangular prism shape with rounded edges and two polarized snap connectors on the top. This type is commonly used for many applications including household uses such as smoke and gas detectors, clocks, and toys.[1]

The nine-volt PP3-size battery is commonly available in primary zinc–carbon and alkaline chemistry, in primary lithium iron disulfide and lithium manganese dioxide (sometimes designated CRV9[2]), and in rechargeable form in nickel–cadmium (Ni–Cd), nickel–metal hydride (Ni–MH) and lithium-ion. Mercury batteries of this format, once common, have been banned in many countries due to their toxicity.[3] Designations for this format include NEDA 1604 and IEC 6F22 (for zinc-carbon) or MN1604 6LR61 (for alkaline). The size, regardless of chemistry, is commonly designated PP3—a designation originally reserved solely for carbon-zinc, or in some countries, E or E-block.[4] A range of PP batteries was produced in the past, with voltages of 4.5, 6, and 9 volts and different capacities; the larger 9-volt PP6, PP7, and PP9 are still available. A few other 9-volt battery sizes are available: A10 and A29.[2]

Most PP3-size alkaline batteries are constructed of six individual cylindrical 1.5 V LR61 cells enclosed in a wrapper.[5] These cells are slightly smaller than LR8D425 AAAA cells and can be used in their place for some devices, even though they are 3.5 mm shorter. Carbon-zinc types are made with six flat cells in a stack, enclosed in a moisture-resistant wrapper to prevent drying. Primary lithium types are made with three cells in series.[6]

9-volt batteries accounted for 4% of alkaline primary battery sales in the United States in 2007, and 2% of primary battery sales and 2% of secondary (rechargeable) battery sales in Switzerland in 2008.[7][8]

  1. ^ "9-Volt Battery Safety". National Fire Protection Association. 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-07-27. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  2. ^ a b "Non-Rechargeable Batteries (filtered for 9V)". CPC Farnell. Retrieved 2022-04-22. 9-volt batteries supplied by a typical distributor: PP3 (or CRV9), PP6, PP7, and PP9 are the PP sizes; A10 and A29 the only other 9v types.
  3. ^ Hunter, Rod; Muylle, Koen J., eds. (1999). European Community Deskbook. An ELI deskbook - ELR - The Environmental Law Reporter. Environmental Law Institute. p. 75. ISBN 0-911937-82-X.
  4. ^ "AP300 NiMH 9 Volt 300mAh". AccuPower. Archived from the original on 2018-02-06. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  5. ^ IEC 60086-2-2011 §7.6.1.12
  6. ^ Lee, Arthur (2002-06-28). "Preliminary Test Results on Lithium Batteries Used in Residential Smoke Alarms" (PDF). CPSC.gov. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-02-23. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  7. ^ "Life Cycle Impacts of Alkaline Batteries with a Focus on End-of-Life" (PDF). EPBAEurope.net. EPBA-EU. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03.
  8. ^ "INOBAT 2008 Statistics" (PDF). INOBAT.ch. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-25.