A typical AAA battery has a power capacity of approximately 1000 to 1200 milliampere-hours (mAh).
This capacity signifies the amount of electrical charge the battery can store and deliver. In simpler terms, a AAA battery rated at 1000 mAh can theoretically supply 1000 milliamperes (or 1 Ampere) of current for one hour before it's completely discharged.
Understanding mAh
- mAh stands for milliampere-hour. It's a unit used to measure the electrical charge a battery can hold.
- Higher mAh generally means longer runtime. A battery with a higher mAh rating can power a device for a longer period compared to a battery with a lower rating, assuming the device draws the same amount of current.
- Voltage is also important. While mAh indicates capacity, the voltage of the battery (typically 1.5V for a standard AAA) determines the electrical potential difference and the energy delivered.
Factors Affecting Battery Life
Several factors can influence the actual runtime you get from a AAA battery:
- Device Power Consumption: Devices that draw more current (e.g., cameras with flash) will deplete the battery faster.
- Battery Chemistry: Different battery chemistries (e.g., alkaline, lithium, rechargeable NiMH) offer varying capacities and performance characteristics.
- Temperature: Extreme temperatures can affect battery performance and capacity.
- Age and Storage Conditions: Batteries gradually lose capacity over time, and improper storage can accelerate this process.
Examples
- If a device draws 100mA (0.1A), a 1000mAh AAA battery could theoretically power it for approximately 10 hours (1000mAh / 100mA = 10 hours). Note that this is an ideal calculation, and actual performance may vary.
- A device drawing 500mA (0.5A) would likely only be powered for approximately 2 hours by a 1000mAh AAA battery (1000mAh / 500mA = 2 hours).
Keep in mind that these are estimations and that actual battery life depends heavily on real-world conditions and device usage.
