Editing AA battery

[[File:NiMH 2500mAh.jpg|thumb|right|Rechargable AA batteries]]
A '''AA battery''' is a dry cell-type [[Battery (electricity)|battery]] commonly used in portable [[electronic device]]s.  An AA battery measures 51 mm in length (50.1mm without the button terminal), 13.5–14.5 mm  in diameter<ref>http://people.msoe.edu/~tritt/trips/rabbitseason.html shows a copy of the page from the primary reference, IEC60086-2.  Someone with access to the primary reference can replace this ref.</ref>, and weighs approximately 23 g (1.97×0.56 inches and 0.81 ounces).

*Voltage: 1.5 volts
*Capacity (Heavy Duty): 1100 mAh
*Capacity (Alkaline): 2000 mAh
*Capacity (Lithium): 3000 mAh

As a AA battery is composed of a single chamber, it is more correctly referred to as a cell.  Technically, a battery is a collection of cells working together, such as in a car battery.  The more common term "battery" will be used throughout the rest of this article.

The [[nominal]] output [[voltage]] of single-use AA batteries is 1.5 volts, while [[rechargeable battery|rechargeable batteries]] have a nominal voltage of 1.2V. The voltage of a AA battery is the same as a [[AAA battery]], [[C cell]] or [[D cell]].  AA batteries, however, provide power for a longer period than AAA batteries, because their larger size allows them to store more [[electrolyte]].  C and D cells, being larger still, can be expected to last longer again.

Primary (non-rechargeable) [[Zinc-carbon_battery|zinc-carbon]] AA batteries of 400–900 [[milli]]-[[Ampere-hour|Amp-hours]] capacity are common.  [[Zinc-chloride_battery|Zinc-chloride]] batteries of 1000 to 1500 mAh are often sold as "long life" or "heavy duty".  [[Alkaline battery|Alkaline]] batteries from 1700 mAh to almost 3000 mAh cost a little more, but last proportionally longer.   

Single-use [[Lithium_battery|lithium]] AAs are also available for high demand devices such as [[Digital camera|digital cameras]], where their high cost is offset by longer running time between battery changes.  As of 2007, the only 1.5V lithium AA is manufactured by [http://www.energizer.com/products/faq.asp?q=16 Eveready], although AA sized batteries with different nominal voltages are available from others.  These should only be used in devices rated for the higher voltage.

The capacity of rechargeable AA batteries varies with the technology used. [[Nickel-cadmium battery|Nickel-cadmium]] (NiCd or NiCad) AAs with a capacity of 650 to 800 mAh are commonly available, while 800 to 1000 mAh AAs are rarer and more expensive. [[Nickel metal hydride battery|Nickel metal hydride]] (NiMH) AAs are also available in various capacities ranging from 1400 to 2900 mAh.

The older NiCd battery chemistry can supply a higher [[Electric_current|current]] than typical NiMHs,  so NiCds are commonly used to power model cars or other relatively high-current-draw devices.  New NiMH AAs designed for high current applications are beginning to become available.  These use different construction and have lower capacity (1400–1600 mAh) than the highest capacity NiMH batteries.  

Recently, AA-sized batteries have been introduced in rechargeable [[Li-ion]] chemistry[http://batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=490].  These batteries also do not supply voltage in the 1.2–1.5 V range and are thus not true AAs. 

==The insides of a ZnC battery==
The common zinc-carbon or zinc-chloride AA battery consists of a [[graphite]] or plastic rod in the center, paper, electrolytes, a [[zinc]] outer shell, and a plastic cover.  There is also a pressure valve at the bottom to prevent explosions.  However, the pressure valves generally will not prevent leakage or catastrophic failure of the shell if the battery is exposed to fire or extreme heat.

If a Zn-C or Zn-Cl battery is discharged too far then corrosion of the cathode, which is the zinc shell, can occur.  If this becomes corroded enough, a breach in the shell can allow electrolyte to leak out.  This is a common cause of damage to battery-powered appliances which are left unattended for long periods with batteries inside.  The electrolyte can also cause minor skin damage, and should be kept away from eyes, and not ingested.

==References==
<references/>

==See also==
* [[A battery (vacuum tubes)]]
* [[List of battery sizes]]
* [[Battery (electricity)]]

==External links==
*[http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/l91.pdf#search=%22AA%20site%3Aenergizer.com%22 Detailed statistics of an Energizer AA battery]
*[http://www.duracell.com/oem/Pdf/MX1500.pdf Detailed statistics of a Duracell AA battery]

[[Category:Batteries]]
[[Category:Not in Wikipedia]]