Batteries are wired in different ways to achieve desired voltage and current outputs. The two main wiring configurations are series and parallel.
Series Wiring
When batteries are wired in series, the positive terminal of one battery is connected to the negative terminal of the next. This arrangement increases the overall voltage while the current capacity (measured in amp-hours) remains the same as a single battery.
- Example: If you connect two 12V batteries in series, you get a 24V output.
Parallel Wiring
When batteries are wired in parallel, all the positive terminals are connected together, and all the negative terminals are connected together. According to the reference, the negative terminal of one battery is connected to the negative terminal of the next and so on through the string of batteries, and the same is done with positive terminals. This arrangement increases the overall current capacity (amp-hours) while the voltage remains the same as a single battery.
- Example: If you connect two 12V batteries in parallel, you still get a 12V output, but the amp-hour capacity is doubled. This means the batteries can supply the same voltage for a longer time.
Series-Parallel Wiring
For more complex applications, batteries can be wired in a combination of series and parallel configurations. This allows you to achieve both higher voltage and higher current capacity.
- How it works: You create multiple series strings of batteries, and then connect those strings in parallel.
Summary Table
| Configuration | Voltage | Current Capacity (Amp-Hours) | Wiring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series | Increases | Stays the same | Positive terminal of one battery to the negative terminal of the next. |
| Parallel | Stays the same | Increases | Positive terminals connected together, negative terminals connected together. |
| Series-Parallel | Increases | Increases | Combine series strings and then connect the strings in parallel (positive to positive, negative to negative) |
