A D battery (D cell or IEC R20) is a standardized size of a dry cell. A D cell is cylindrical with an electrical contact at each end; the positive end has a nub or bump. D cells are typically used in high current drain applications, such as in large flashlights, radio receivers and transmitters, and other devices that require an extended running time. A D cell may be either rechargeable or non-rechargeable. Its terminal voltage and capacity depend upon its cell chemistry.

The National Carbon Company introduced the first D cell in 1898. Before smaller cells became more common, D cells were widely known as flashlight batteries. The U.S. military designation for this battery has been BA-30 since sometime before World War II. During World War II, it was designated the Type C battery by the U.S. Navy, leading to confusion with the smaller C cell battery (BA-42).

In 2007, D batteries accounted for 8% of alkaline primary battery sales (numerically) in the U.S. In 2008, Swiss purchases of D batteries amounted to 3.4% of primary and 1.4% of secondary (rechargeable) sales.Life Cycle Impacts of Alkaline Batteries with a Focus on End-of-Life - EPBA-EU INOBAT 2008 statistics.

Dimensions and capacity

D batteries have a nominal diameter of 33.2 ± 1 millimeters (1.3 inches). The overall length is 61.5 millimeters (2.42 inches).IEC 60086-2 §7.1.4

  Zinc–carbon Alkaline Li-FeS2 NiCd NiMH Li-SOCl2 IEC name R20 LR20 FR20 KR20 HR20 ER? ANSI/NEDA name 13D 13A 13LF 13K 13H   Typical capacity milliamphours 8,000 mAh 12,000–18,000 mAh 2,000–5,500 mAh 2,200–12,000 mAh 19,000 mAh energy 12 Wh 18–27 Wh 2.5–6.9 Wh 2.75–15 Wh 68.4 Wh Nominal voltage 1.5 V 1.5 V 1.5 V 1.25 V 1.25 V 3.6 V Rechargeable No Special type only No Yes Yes No

Names Common Name / Type of this battery Alkaline Zinc–carbon Li-FeS2 Li-SOCl2 NiCd NiMH IEC name LR20 R20 FR20 ER? KR20 HR20 ANSI/NEDA name 13A 13D 13LF   13K 13H

Other

U2 / HP2 / SP2 (UK) Type 373 (Russia) MN/MX1300 Mono Goliath BA-30 (US WWII) #1 (China) UM 1 (JIS) 6135-99-464-1938 / 6135-99-109-9428 (NSN) Flashlight Battery / Torch Battery B006 (NiMH) Torcia (Italy) Góliátelem (Hungary) Pila Grande (Argentina) Kalın Pil (Turkey) Monočlánek / "Buřt" (Czech Republic)

Battery capacity A battery's capacity depends upon its cell chemistry and current draw. Duracell brand rates its alkaline D cell performance as approximately 20,000 mAh at 25 mA draw, but about 10,000 mAh at 500 mA draw. This effect is generally less pronounced in cells with NiMH chemistry and hardly at all with NiCd. Many commonly available size D rechargeable cells are actually sub-C cells in a D-sized holder.

See also List of battery sizes Battery nomenclature

References

External links

Duracell D Size Battery Specification Energizer D Size Battery Specification for Alkaline Cell Brand Neutral Drawing Of NiCd D Battery Based On ANSI Specifications Brand Neutral Drawing Of NiMH D Battery Based On ANSI Specifications Brand Neutral Drawing Of Alkaline D Battery Based On ANSI Specifications