LR44 battery: Specification, Working principle and Application

The LR44 battery is a 1.5V alkaline button battery that is commonly used in low-power electronic devices such as watches, calculators, remote controls, and toys.  This article will introduce the LR44 battery specifications, working principles, application areas, advantages and disadvantages, and how to properly store and replace the battery, to help you use this battery more efficiently.

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what is an LR44 battery?

LR44 is a small, non-rechargeable cylindrical alkaline battery commonly used in devices such as watches, calculators, toys, medical devices (such as thermometers), LED lights, and remote controls. Other names for the LR44 battery include A76, AG13, 357, and LR1154.

The "LR" in LR44 represents the battery's chemical composition and exterior design, where:

L: indicates that the battery uses an alkaline chemical composition, that is, the Zinc-manganese dioxide (Zn-MnO₂) system.

R: indicates that the battery has a circular design.

The "44" indicates the physical size of the battery, which is about 11.6 mm in diameter and 5.4 mm in height.

LR44 Battery size

LR44 Battery Working Principle

The LR44 button cell battery provides power to the device through an internal chemical reaction. When a battery discharges, current flows from the negative (anode) to the positive (cathode) end of the battery to power the device. A chemical reaction takes place between zinc and manganese dioxide inside the battery, and an alkaline electrolyte (usually potassium hydroxide) helps ions flow between the anode and cathode, creating a steady current.

Major component

Anode (negative electrode) : Made of zinc (Zn), it releases electrons through an oxidation reaction, providing an electric current.

Cathode (positive electrode) : Made of manganese dioxide (MnO₂), accepts electrons and reacts with water.

Electrolyte: Potassium hydroxide (KOH), which helps ions flow and maintains current generation.

Diaphragm: prevent direct contact between anode and cathode to avoid short circuit.

Housing: Usually stainless steel, protects the battery from external damage.

LR44 Battery Specifications and Parameters

Type: Alkaline, non-rechargeable

Chemical system: Zinc/manganese dioxide (Zn/MnO₂)

Nominal voltage: 1.5V

Capacity: 110-150 mah

Dimensions: Diameter 11.6 mm, height 5.4 mm (0.46" diameter x 0.21" height)

Weight: About 2 grams

Operating temperature: -10℃~ 60℃

Internal resistance: about 3-10 ohms (varies by manufacturer)

Self-discharge rate: about 1-2% per year at room temperature

Shelf life: Usually 3-5 years

End type: pressure contact

LR44 Battery Application

· Watches: Suitable for quartz watches, digital watches, etc.

· Toys: remote control toys, electronic interactive toys, etc.

· Calculators and small electronic equipment: portable calculators, computer mice, etc.

· LED lighting: Especially suitable for key chain lights and other portable LED lights.

· Hearing aid: For small hearing aid devices.

· Medical equipment: electronic medical equipment such as thermometer, blood glucose meter and blood oxygen meter.

· Remote control: suitable for small remote control equipment, such as TV remote control, car keys, etc.

Advantages and disadvantages of LR44 battery

Advantages:

Compact and efficient: The LR44 1.5 v battery is small and efficient, suitable for devices with limited space.

A wide range of applications: from watches to toys, it can be applied to almost all small electronic devices.

Economical: Low price, easy to buy, cost-effective.

Long-term use: usually has a shelf life of 3-5 years, and maintains a stable power during this period.

Disadvantages：

Non-rechargeable: The LR44 coin cell battery is disposable and non-rechargeable. Frequent replacement increases costs and is environmentally unfriendly.

Low capacity limit: Low capacity, not suitable for high-power devices, limited scope of application.

Easy to leak: inferior batteries may leak and damage the equipment, so pay attention to quality when purchasing.

LR44 Discharge Characteristics

LR44 button batteries perform differently under different loads, currents, and temperatures. By understanding these discharge characteristics, you can more accurately judge how the battery will perform in a particular application. The following is the LR44 battery discharge performance analysis under different conditions:

Discharge Characteristics Over Time

Under standard conditions (load: 4.7kΩ, temperature: 23°C), the battery LR44 initially provides a stable voltage of 1.5V. As the time of use increases, the voltage gradually drops and drops to 1.2V after about 400 hours. This stable voltage output makes it ideal for use in long-term low-power devices such as watches and remote controls. After about 400 hours, the voltage drops sharply to near 0V, marking the end of the battery's life.

Discharge Characteristics on Load

At a constant temperature of 23°C, LR44 batteries behave differently under different discharge currents:

1mA current (red line) : The battery voltage is basically maintained above 1.5V, and the discharge capacity will drop rapidly after about 100mAh, which is very suitable for low-power applications, such as small calculators.

10mA current (green line) : The voltage drops fast, and drops rapidly at about 40mAh, which is more suitable for equipment with moderate power requirements.

50mA current (blue line) : The voltage drops rapidly and can only provide a discharge capacity of about 10mAh, which is suitable for high-power devices used for short periods of time.

Discharge Characteristics by Temperature

At different temperatures (5°C, 23°C and 40°C), the discharge performance of LR44 batteries is also different:

Low temperature (5°C) : The battery capacity is significantly reduced at low temperatures, and the voltage drops sharply after about 80mAh.

Room temperature (23°C) : At standard room temperature, the battery capacity exceeds 100mAh, suitable for most application scenarios.

High temperature (40°C) : The battery capacity is close to 120mAh at high temperatures and performs best in warm environments.

Discharge Load vs. Discharge Capacity

The size of the discharge current directly affects the capacity of the LR44 alkaline batteries. The following are discharge characteristics at different temperatures of 5°C, 23°C and 40°C:

Low current: When the current is low, the battery can provide more discharge capacity (such as below 5mA).

High current: As the current increases (such as 50mA), the battery capacity decreases sharply, especially at low temperatures.

These data show that the LR44 alkaline cell batteries performs poorly at low and high currents, while it achieves its best performance at higher temperatures and low currents. Therefore, if your device consumes less power and is in a warm environment, the LR44 battery can provide a longer life. In cold environments and high-power applications, battery life will be significantly shortened.

How to Properly Store and Handle LR44 Batteries

Proper handling and storage help ensure the best performance and life of the LR44 battery:

Avoid short circuit: prevent metal objects from touching the positive and negative electrodes of the battery to avoid accidental discharge or leakage.

Storage environment: The ideal storage temperature is 10°C to 25°C, stored in a cool and dry place to avoid high humidity and extreme temperature.

Keep away from children: Button batteries pose a risk of swallowing and should be stored out of reach of children.

Use during the expiration date: Check the battery life and recommend using a new battery to ensure the best performance.

LR44 battery Replacement

The LR44 battery has several aliases, so there are many compatible alternative models on the market. Here are some common alternative models:

· A76: The same voltage, capacity and size, widely compatible.

· AG13: Especially common in the Chinese market, consistent performance.

· 357: Commonly used in watches and medical devices, with the same voltage and size as LR44.

· LR1154: The specifications are completely consistent and can be directly replaced.

LR44 battery Manufacturer

The LR44 is produced by several manufacturers, and here are some of the more well-known brands:

Panasonic: Renowned battery manufacturer, Panasonic offers high-performance 1.5 volt LR44 alkaline battery.

Energizer: The world's leading battery brand, producing high-quality LR44 batteries.

Duracell: A common brand, the LR44 coin battery is loved by users and is one of the common choices on the market.

Murata Electronics: The LR44 battery produced by Murata has won the trust of consumers for its stability and reliability.

Appendix:

Detailed technical datasheet for LR44 battery

Related Resources

LR44 vs 357 battery: Are They Interchangeable?

What Are the Best LR44 Lithium Battery equivalent?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What voltage are LR44 Batteries?

1.5 volts.

2. What size/dimension is an LR44 battery?

The LR44 battery size is 11.6mm (0.46 in) in diameter and 5.4mm (0.21 in) in height.

3. What is a comparable battery to LR44?

An LR44 battery equivalent is the AG13, L1154, or 357. These are all button cell batteries with similar size and voltage (1.5V).

4. How Long do LR44 Batteries Last?

The lifespan of an LR44 battery is typically 1 to 3 years, depending on the power consumption of the device and how often it is used.

5. What Are LR44 Batteries Used For?

LR44 batteries are commonly used in small electronic devices such as watches, toys, calculators, remote controls, hearing AIDS, laser Pointers and thermometers.

6. How to insert LR44 Batteries?

Insert the LR44 battery with the positive terminal (+) facing up or toward the spring and the negative terminal (-) facing down into the battery compartment.

7. Can the LR44 battery be used at extreme temperatures?

LR44 batteries do not perform well in extreme temperatures, operating from -20°C to 60°C. Low temperatures affect performance and high temperatures may cause leakage.

8. Why does the LR44 battery leak?

LR44 battery leakage is usually due to excessive discharge, high temperature, improper storage or battery aging causes such as seal failure.