Industrial 3.6V Primary Lithium Thionyl Chloride (Li-SOCl2) Battery Solutions
GEB manufactures high-reliability 3.6V Primary Lithium Thionyl Chloride (Li-SOCl2 / ER series) batteries engineered specifically for smart utility meters, long-range IoT telemetry, subsea sensing, and remote industrial asset monitoring. Delivering the highest energy density among primary lithium chemistries (up to 650 Wh/kg and 1280 Wh/dm³), our ER cells feature an ultra-wide operating temperature window of -55°C to +85°C and an industry-leading low self-discharge rate of < 1% per year at 25°C, ensuring dependable 10 to 20-year maintenance-free service lifespans.
Electrochemical Architecture: Bobbin vs. Spiral Cell Comparison
Choosing the correct internal electrochemical design is critical for achieving optimal operating longevity and voltage stability. GEB produces both Bobbin (Energy Type) and Spiral (High-Power Type) configurations:
| Feature / Attribute | Bobbin (Energy Type, e.g. ER14505, ER34615) | Spiral (High-Power Type, e.g. ER34615M) |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Structure | Cylindrical solid lithium anode / concentric carbon cathode | Jelly-roll wound electrode with expansive surface area |
| Energy Density & Capacity | Maximum capacity (e.g., D-size up to 19.0Ah) | Moderate capacity (e.g., D-size 13.0Ah–14.5Ah) |
| Continuous Discharge Current | Low to moderate (1mA to 200mA) | High continuous current (up to 2000mA / 2.0A) |
| Peak Pulse Capability | 100mA–400mA (or paired with SPC/UPC hybrid capacitors) | Direct pulse capability up to 3000mA–4000mA (3A–4A) |
| Annual Self-Discharge (@ 25°C) | < 1.0% per year (15 to 20-year design life) | Approx. 1.5%–2.0% per year (8 to 12-year design life) |
| Primary Target Applications | Smart water/gas meters, AMR telemetry, memory backup | LoRaWAN, NB-IoT cellular transmitters, GPS trackers, alarms |
GEB Standard Primary Li-SOCl2 Battery Matrix
| Model | IEC Size | Nominal V | Rated Capacity | Max Cont. Current | Max Pulse Current | Dimensions (Ø × H) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ER14250 | 1/2 AA | 3.6V | 1200mAh | 25mA | 80mA | 14.5 × 25.2 mm | 10.0g |
| ER14505 | AA | 3.6V | 2700mAh | 50mA | 150mA | 14.5 × 50.5 mm | 19.0g |
| ER18505 | A | 3.6V | 4000mAh | 80mA | 200mA | 18.5 × 50.5 mm | 32.0g |
| ER26500 | C | 3.6V | 8500mAh | 100mA | 300mA | 26.2 × 50.0 mm | 55.0g |
| ER34615 | D | 3.6V | 19000mAh (19Ah) | 150mA | 400mA | 34.2 × 61.5 mm | 110.0g |
| ER34615M (Spiral) | D | 3.6V | 13000mAh (13Ah) | 2000mA (2.0A) | 4000mA (4.0A) | 34.2 × 61.5 mm | 105.0g |
Voltage Delay, Passivation Mechanism & Activation SOP
A fundamental characteristic of the Li-SOCl2 electrochemical system is passivation: a protective microscopic lithium chloride (LiCl) film spontaneously forms on the metallic lithium anode when in contact with the thionyl chloride electrolyte. This self-limiting passivation layer is the exact scientific reason Li-SOCl2 batteries achieve exceptional shelf life (<1% self-discharge per year).
However, when an unactivated cell has been stored for extended periods and is suddenly subjected to heavy pulse loads, a transient voltage delay can occur. GEB eliminates voltage delay risks through two rigorous engineering pathways:
- Automated Depassivation Activation: In-house pre-shipment pulse discharging cycles to break down excess surface crystals prior to dispatch.
- Hybrid Pulse Capacitor (SPC/UPC) Integration: For IoT devices requiring high instantaneous transmission bursts (e.g. NB-IoT, GSM/GPRS, LoRa), we build integrated battery-capacitor packs combining an energy-dense Bobbin ER cell with a pulse-delivering supercapacitor.
OEM / ODM Terminal Pin & Pack Assembly Customization
GEB offers full customization of terminal tabs, wiring leads, and connectors to ensure seamless drop-in fitment onto client PCBs and custom enclosures:
- Terminal Styles: Standard Flat Top, Button/Nipple Top, Axial Wire Leads (1/1.5/2mm tinned copper), 2-Pin / 3-Pin Radial PCB Solder Tabs, SMD mounting brackets.
- Wire Harnesses & Connectors: UL1007 / UL1571 twisted pairs with genuine JST (PH, XH), Molex, AMP, or Hirose waterproof terminals.
- Pack Integration: Series/parallel multi-cell configurations, PVC shrink wrapping, ABS injection molded enclosures, and potted waterproof potting for IP67/IP68 submersible environments.
Quality Verification, Testing Standards & Dangerous Goods Freight
Every production lot of GEB ER cells undergoes hermetic glass-to-metal seal leak testing, internal resistance sorting, and 100% open-circuit voltage screening. All products are fully compliant with UN38.3, IEC 60086-4, CE, RoHS, and UL1642 safety standards. As a primary lithium chemistry (Class 9 Dangerous Goods, UN3090 / UN3091), our export documentation includes valid MSDS, UN38.3 test summaries, and certified maritime/aviation dangerous goods packaging appraisals.
