Cell batteries produce direct current (DC). This is true for all types of batteries, including those in cell phones, laptops, and portable power stations. The electricity generated by the chemical reactions within the battery flows in only one direction.
Understanding AC vs. DC
- Direct Current (DC): Electricity flows consistently in one direction. Batteries, solar panels (before inversion), and many electronic devices use DC power.
- Alternating Current (AC): The flow of electricity regularly reverses direction. This is the type of electricity typically found in household outlets.
Many devices that use DC power, such as cell phones and laptops, often come with AC adapters. These adapters convert the alternating current from your wall outlet into the direct current needed to charge the battery. This is because it's safer and more efficient to transmit electricity over long distances as AC.
Examples of devices using AC/DC adaptors to charge DC batteries:
- Cell phone chargers: These plug into an AC outlet but provide the DC power needed for the phone's battery.
- Laptop chargers: Similar to cell phone chargers, these convert AC power to DC for charging.
- Many electronic devices: A wide range of devices use DC batteries and rely on AC adapters for charging or powering the device itself.
While some devices might be described as having "AC/DC" capabilities (like certain strobe lights), this usually refers to their power input and not the type of current the battery itself produces. The battery inside still only generates DC.
The provided references consistently reinforce that batteries themselves inherently produce and utilize direct current (DC). The references illustrating AC/DC options for devices frequently deal with powering the device, not the internal operation of the battery.
