Electronics

mAh – What is MilliAmpere Hour?

mAh Definition

Firstly, mAh means a milliamp-hour and it is a unit through which we measure electric power over time. In addition, it generally measures the energy capacity of a battery.

Moreover, the more mAh we increase the longer the battery life becomes and it gives more battery backup.

A higher number means that the battery is capable of storing more energy therefore, it has a higher capacity. This also states that it may have a longer battery life for a specific given usage.

This comes in use for providing an idea of how long a device will last on it. For instance, a battery that has a capacity of 3,000 mAh could power a device drawing 100 mA (milliamp) for near about 30 hours. Whereas, a device drawing 200 mA would last only for hardly 15 hours of time.

Ampere Hour in mAh

An ampere-hour or an amp hour (symbol A-h; also denotes as Ah or Ah) is a unit of electric charge. It has dimensions of electric current.

It is multiplied by the time that is equal to the charge that a steady current transfers of one ampere flowing for one hour, or 3,600 coulombs.

The commonly visible milliampere-hour (mA.h or mAh) is-thousandth of a single ampere-hour i.e. 3.6 coulombs.

mah

Application of mAh

We can use the ampere-hour in measurements of electrochemical systems such as electroplating and also for battery capacity and here the dropping of the commonly known nominal voltage occurs.

A milliampere second (mA.s) is a unit of measure that we use X-ray imaging, diagnostic imaging, and radiation therapy as well. The quantity here is proportional to the total of the X-ray energy that a given X-ray tube produces.

This tube operates at a specific voltage. The same total dose is capable of delivering at different times depending on the X-ray tube current.

For helping the express energy, computation over the charge values in the ampere-hour requires precise data of the electric tension.

In a system of a battery, for instance, accurate calculation of the energy that is delivered requires the integration of power delivered (product of instantaneous current) upon the discharge interval.

Generally, the battery voltage varies during the discharge. An average or we can say a nominal value might get in use for approximating the integration of power.

Other Measures of Electric Charge

The Faraday constant is the charge on the single mole of electrons. It is equal to near about 26.8 ampere-hours. Moreover, we also use it for the electrochemical calculations.

Examples of mAh

A Dry cell of size AA has a capacity of approximately 2 to 3 ampere-hours.
Automotive car batteries differ in capacity but a huge automobile.

It propels by an internal combustion engine that would have near about 50 ampere-hour battery capacity.

Relationship to Battery Life

To calculate the life of a battery, we divide the capacity of the battery by the amount of requirement of current by the object that it powers.

For example, imagine that we have two batteries for your mobile phone. One is 1000 mAh and another one is 2000 mAh. And our phone requires a current of 200 mA to perform the function.

The battery with 1000 mAh will charge the phone for 5 hours.

Whereas, the battery with 2000 mAh would power the phone for 10 hours. Because of the double capacity of the battery and as a result, It says that it can store more power.

Solved Question For You

Ques. We express the battery in terms of:

A. Current rating.
B. Voltage rating.
C. Ampere hour rating.
D. None of the above.

Ans. C. Ampere hour rating.

Share with friends

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in?
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
Get ready for all-new Live Classes!
Now learn Live with India's best teachers. Join courses with the best schedule and enjoy fun and interactive classes.
tutor
tutor
Ashhar Firdausi
IIT Roorkee
Biology
tutor
tutor
Dr. Nazma Shaik
VTU
Chemistry
tutor
tutor
Gaurav Tiwari
APJAKTU
Physics
Get Started

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Watch lectures, practise questions and take tests on the go.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

No thanks.