Connecting Cells and Batteries

Connecting Cells and Batteries

To increase voltage and/or current cells and batteries can be connected together. They can be connected in series, parallel, or in series-parallel.

In series, cells or batteries can be connected in either series-aiding or series-opposing configurations. In series-aiding configuration, the positive terminal of the first cell is connected to the negative terminal of the second cell; the positive terminal of the second cell is connected to the negative terminal of the third cell and so on. In series aiding configuration, the current is the same through all the cells or batteries. It can be expressed as:

IT = I1 = I2 = I3…

The total voltage is the sum of the individual cell voltages and is expressed as:

ET = E1 + E2 + E3…

In series-opposing configuration, the cells or batteries are connected with like terminals together, positive to positive or negative to negative.

In a parallel configuration all negative terminals are connected together and all positive terminals are connected together. The overall current is equal to the sum of individual currents of each battery or cell. It can be expressed as:
IT = I1 + I2 + I3
The total voltage is equal as the voltage of each cell or battery. It can be expressed as:
ET = E1 = E2 = E3
Connecting cells or batteries in series increases voltage, and connecting cells or batteries in parallel increases current. Therefore, a series-parallel configuration increased both the output voltage and current.