Table of Contents
- How Are Duracell Procell Batteries Different?
- Procell Batteries Have Higher Delivered Capacity
- Procell’s Unique Power Profiles Give Better Run Times
- Reduced Cell to Cell Variability
- Cost Saving
- Global Technical Support for OEM
- How Do Professional Industries Use Procell Batteries?
- FAQs About Procell Batteries
Why are Duracell Procell batteries different from other industrial batteries? Three words: Unique power profiles.
However, there are a few other design characteristics that set the Duracell Procell batteries above the rest, which we’ll talk about, too.
As the world’s first dual portfolio professional battery, Duracell Procell is an upgrade over the previous industrial battery by Duracell and is a game-changer among comparable batteries.
How Are Duracell Procell Batteries Different?
Duracell Procell batteries have two unique power profiles (better understood as two sets of battery performance metrics):
- Procell Alkaline
- Procell Alkaline Intense Power
The Procell Alkaline battery is ideal for general-purpose devices such as remote controls, clocks and flashlights.
Conversely, the Procell Alkaline Intense Power battery is designed for high drain professional devices. Think automated sanitisers and security cameras.
The device-specific design of this new professional Duracell line optimises battery performance, dramatically extending alkaline battery life.
Battery capacity yield is also higher leading to more efficient operations and money saved.
You may be wondering, how exactly are these power profiles beneficial for professional equipment?
Procell Batteries Have Higher Delivered Capacity
The battery capacity of alkaline cells is measured in milliampere hours (mAH).
Did you know? Recommended battery capacity is usually measured under controlled temperature conditions and fixed discharge patterns.
For instance, the Procell AAA batteries have a 1,461 mAh capacity delivered at a 5 mA continuous current with a 0.8 V cut-off. Therefore, the rated capacity of AAA batteries is about 290 hours.
Delivered capacity, however, differs. This is the battery cell’s capacity in specific applications and can differ greatly from the nominal estimates based on:
- Applied load
- Continuous vs. intermittent battery discharge
- Cut-off voltage
- Operating temperature
- Battery design characteristics
Most equipment and battery applications today require high-drain pulses and have a high cut-off voltage. For example, an electric door lock may not continuously drain power, but when used, will discharge a large amount..
These high-drain loads discharge the battery beyond its set cutoff voltage, rendering it useless. Over-discharging a battery can kill it fast even if there are still active materials inside.
In short: Increased load on the battery causes more resistance, resulting in excessive voltage drops and poor battery performance.
One way that Duracell Procell batteries combat these high-drain challenges is by having a lower internal impedance.
Impedance is how much a battery circuit impedes the flow of charge. Think of it as resistance in the circuit.
Less resistance in batteries results in a lower voltage drop. The battery will provide more delivered capacity since it will last longer before hitting the device cutoff voltage.
Delivered capacity is also affected by applied load and whether the discharge is continuous or not.
This brings us to the second reason why the Procell battery is a must-have in professional setups: unique power profiles.
Procell’s Unique Power Profiles Give Better Run Times
The Duracell Procell product range provides two power profiles for each battery size.
Here’s an example of device-specific engineering in two power profiles for AA batteries:
| Procell Alkaline AA Batteries | Procell Alkaline Intense AA Batteries | |
| Nominal Capacity (mAH) | 3,106 | 3,112 |
| Resistance (Ω) | 81 | 68 |
| Average Continuous Current Per Load | 34 | 25 |
| Recommended Applicatioe wns | Remote Controls Sensors Security Keypads Wireless Mouse |
Medical Devices Security Cameras Soap Dispensers Electronic Door Locks Window Blinds/Shades |
This data is derived from the Duracell Procell technical product data sheets.
The above comparison illustrates the benefit of differentiating battery usage. Using the right battery makes the battery last longer.
Procell Alkaline General purpose batteries deliver consistent performance on low drain devices which use more energy but at a consistent discharge rate.
Procell Alkaline Intense Power batteries are designed to deliver precise pulses of energy for high drain devices, hence the lower internal resistance.
The Duracell Procell line also has increased ion mobility to endure any changes in discharge pattern.
Here’s why that’s important:
Battery usage patterns don’t mirror the continuous discharge in cell performance tests. More often, duty cycles are intermittent with bursts of high usage.
Think of soap dispensers or electronic door locks during peak hours.
Batteries need recovery periods in between discharges to allow the rate of transport of active materials to catch up to the rate of their depletion.
That’s why increased ion mobility will efficiently deliver capacity and longer battery life, even in high and frequent device usage cases.
Reduced Cell to Cell Variability
90% of battery-powered devices require more than one cell to run.
When multiple batteries are used, they are discharged in a series configuration which forces the device to operate at the capacity of the weakest battery in the series.
In the case of parallel configurations, cell to cell variability could cause the weakest batteries to over-discharge and leak due to non-uniform load.
Duracell Procell batteries are designed with reduced cell to cell variability between each alkaline battery. They perform better in applications because the batteries work better together.
Cost Saving
When batteries are optimised for the device and load, they last longer. Higher delivered alkaline battery capacity and reduced cell variability also add to the longevity and performance of Duracell Procell batteries.
By using Duracell Procell, you save money on:
- Purchasing new batteries
- Maintenance and labour costs of changing batteries
On the surface, battery changes may seem like a minor issue but an FDA case study reveals that 50% of service calls were battery related. Of course, this data covers user error and device malfunction, too.
One medical professional put the annual cost of changing batteries in their facility at $100,000 (USD).
Most battery-related challenges for professional industries fall within these broad categories:
- Purchase and replacement
- Charging
- Testing
- Storage
- Transportation
- Disposal
On the whole, if industry professionals can bring down their cost of maintenance by having reliable, device-specific batteries that last longer, it’s a win-win.
Global Technical Support for OEM
Lithium batteries are the current winner for portable applications. The Procell High Power Lithium batteries deliver more energy density, lower self-discharge rates and better performance in hot and cold temperature extremes.
That said, some applications require more than high power delivery.
Specialty batteries, either in battery size or output, are crucial for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
Duracell Procell offers a complete range of technical consultation services in the design of optimised battery-run applications.
This, coupled with Duracell’s global distributor partners who supply batteries in bulk, takes the stress out of specialty batteries for any manufacturer opting to use Duracell Procell batteries.
How Do Professional Industries Use Procell Batteries?
| Healthcare | Infrastructure | Hospitality | Industrial | |
| AA | - Diagnostics -Pulse Oximeters -pH Monitors |
- CO Detectors -Light Sensors -Freight Scales |
-Wireless Microphones -Tape Recorders |
-Gas Detectors |
| AA Intense Power | -Infusion Pumps -Flushometer |
-Automatic Faucets | -Flashlights | -Hard Hat Lights |
| AAA | -Pulse Oximeters -pH Monitors |
-Light Sensors -Digital Voice Recorders |
-Tape Recorders -Laser Pointers |
-Test Equipment -Tire Gauges -Tachometers |
| AAA Intense Power | -Flashlight / Pen Lights | -Door Locks | -Hand Sanitizers -Door Locks |
-Security Cameras -Floor-Scales |
| C | -Diagnostics | -Freight Scales | -Money Counters | -Water Timers -Security Cameras |
| C Intense Power | -Infusion Pumps -Flushometer - Otoscopes |
-Hand Sanitizers -Automatic Faucets |
-Air Fresheners -Flashlights -Automatic Towel Dispensers |
-Illuminated Magnifiers |
| D | -Diagnostics | -Freight Scales | -Money Counters | -Two-Way Radios -Megohmmeters |
| D Intense Power | -Oxygen Pumps -Flushometer |
-Hand Sanitizers -Automatic Faucets |
-Air Fresheners -Flashlights -Automatic Towel Dispensers |
-Emergency Lanterns |
| 9V | -pH Monitors -Electrical Testers |
-CO Detectors | -Wireless Microphones -Thermostats |
-Test Equipment -Gas Detectors -Two-Way Radios |
| 9V Intense Power | -Oxygen Pumps -Infusion Pumps |
-Digital Thermometers -Door Locks |
-Air Fresheners | -Infrared Thermometer -Metal Detectors |
FAQs About Procell Batteries
Can My Batteries Freeze?
Batteries work better in high-temperature extremes rather than low ones. The recommended temperature range of operation of Procell batteries is -20°C–54°C. They should be stored at 5°C–30°C. Winter usage needs to maintain temperatures above water’s freezing point for good battery performance.
Can I Recycle My Old Batteries?
Old batteries may be returned to the battery retailer or manufacturer. You can also take them to authorised collection centres for recycling.
