thumb|D cell batteries, wooden matchstick for scale.

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.

thumb|right|D, C, AA, AAA, AAAA and 9-Volt batteries

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).

{| class="wikitable"

|-

! colspan=2| &nbsp; !! Zinc–carbon !! Alkaline !! Li-FeS<sub>2</sub> !! NiCd !! NiMH !! Li-SOCl<sub>2</sub>

|-

| colspan=2| IEC name || R20 || LR20 || FR20 || KR20 || HR20 || ER?

|-

| colspan=2| ANSI/NEDA name || 13D || 13A || 13LF || 13K || 13H || &nbsp;

|-

| rowspan=2| 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

|-

| colspan=2 | Nominal voltage || 1.5&nbsp;V || 1.5&nbsp;V || 1.5&nbsp;V || 1.25&nbsp;V || 1.25&nbsp;V || 3.6&nbsp;V

|-

| colspan=2 | Rechargeable|| No || Special type only || No || Yes || Yes || No

|}

Names

Common

{| class="wikitable"

|-

! colspan=2| Name / Type of this battery !! Alkaline !! Zinc–carbon !! Li-FeS<sub>2</sub> !! Li-SOCl<sub>2</sub> !! NiCd !! NiMH

|-

| colspan=2| IEC name || LR20 || R20 || FR20 || ER? || KR20 || HR20

|-

| colspan=2| ANSI/NEDA name || 13A || 13D || 13LF || &nbsp; || 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

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&nbsp;mAh at 25&nbsp;mA draw, but about 10,000&nbsp;mAh at 500&nbsp;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

  • 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