LITHIUM COIN BATTERY
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FAQ – Lithium Coin Battery
Once your batteries are no longer usable, you may refer to https://www.call2recycle.orgfor the latest information about recycling your batteries.
About Call2Recycle®
Call2Recycle® is the country’s leading consumer battery recycling and stewardship program.
Thousands of partners, including retailers and government municipalities, work with Call2Recycle to manage their battery recycling efforts. Through our tailored and personalized approach, we offer partners across the U.S. an easy way to address their battery recycling needs, all while ensuring the reduction of hazardous waste in compliance with state and national regulations.
Since 1994, Call2Recycle, Inc. has grown from an idea by a group of five battery manufacturers to a leading not-for-profit, product stewardship organization that operates according to the principles of efficiency, transparency, and commitment. After 25 years and more than 115 million pounds of batteries recycled in the U.S., Call2Recycle continues to define itself as a leading turnkey, end-of-life battery recycling program with more than 16,000 public drop-off sites across the nation.
A lithium coin cell like the CR2032 battery or CR2025 is a small, coin-shaped battery that is based on lithium manganese dioxide chemistry.
The industry standard (IEC) sizes for some common household lithium coin batteries are:
- CR2032: 20 mm diameter, 3.2 mm height
- CR2025: 20 mm diameter, 2.5 mm height
- CR2016: 20 mm diameter, 1.6 mm height
The average voltage output (nominal voltage) of common lithium coin batteries, like the CR2032 or CR2025, is about 3V which is considered to be quite impressive for battery cell with of its size.
Non rechargeable coin batteries with a Lithium and Manganese Dioxide (Li/MnO2) chemistry typically have a very long shelf life, with life expectancy ranging from 5 to 10 years when stored at their recommended conditions.
Lithium coin batteries like the CR2032 are very temperature resistant, with a wide operating range of temperatures from a low as -30 degrees Celsius and up to 60 degrees Celsius. Although the lithium coin batteries have a wide range of temperatures for the use, the optimal temperature range for storing batteries is 15-20 degrees Celsius to ensure longer shelf life.
The lithium coin batteries like the CR2032 self-discharges at a rate of 1% per year, which is due to internal chemical reactions. This means that the stored charge reduces by about 1 percent of the battery’s total every year.
The typical weight of the battery can be about 3.0 grams (0.10 oz.) and the volume would be 1.0 cubic centimeter (0.6 cubic inches).
Lithium coin cells, like CR2032 batteries, are widely used in consumer products like home phones, watches, and cameras. They are well known to be used in electronic circuit boards and computer motherboards.
CR2032 in Computer Motherboards and Electronic Circuit Boards
Lithium coin batteries, like the CR2032 battery or the CR2025 battery, are often used as the CMOS battery in many motherboards.
You may need to replace the CMOS battery when:
- The computer starts to lose its time or date settings.
- The computer displays alert or error messages indicating:
- CMOS Read Error
- CMOS Checksum Error
- CMOS Battery Failure
- System battery voltage is low
You may need to replace the CMOS battery when the above messages begin to appear.
CR2032 in Medical Devices
Portable medical devices such as digital thermometers, blood-pressure meters, and blood-glucose meters use lithium batteries as their main power source. Some other critical devices such as an artificial cardiac pacemaker (which helps the heart to beat), also use these batteries. Advances in lithium coin batteries enabled these devices to become more portable and used remotely.
CR2032 in Car Remote Controls
Most car key fobs have a built-in remote control that is used to unlock, lock, open the storage compartments of the car, and also to sound the alarm. CR2032 is the most commonly used battery that reliably powers these small remotes for years without the need for the battery to be replaced.
CR2032 in Toys
Toys are the major devices that require CR2032. Most of these play items need a little amount of electricity to function and the CR2032 lithium batteries are best suited for this requirement.
These 5 devices are the main consumers of CR2032. Lithium batteries are perfect for these devices as they have all the necessary qualities to power a portable device. Moreover, these are just a few common uses of CR2032, there are over a thousand devices that use these batteries on a daily basis. The era of large batteries is long-gone. Manufacturers want a reliable energy source that is powerful as well as compact. For all the manufacturers, CR2032 is a win-win product.
A Hazard to Small Children
Lithium coin batteries can be a hazard for small children. If swallowed, a lithium coin battery can get lodged in a child’s esophagus and cause serious harm in as little as two hours. Below are some devices you may already have in your home that are powered by lithium coin batteries.
- Inventory your home’s devices that contain lithium coin batteries. Store those devices away and out of reach of children.
- Check for devices in your home that contain lithium coin batteries that do not have a screw on compartment. Seal them with tape that cannot be readily removed by children.
- Expired batteries should be removed and properly disposed of. You can place the batteries away safely by storing them in place that is out of reach for children until you can recycle the batteries. For information about recycling your batteries, please visit https://www.call2recycle.org.
- For added precaution, select lithium coin battery products with safety features such as child resistant packaging.
- Communicate with friends, family, babysitters, and other caretakers so they too are aware of this information.
Keep Batteries Away from Medicinal Tablets
People can potentially mistake tiny batteries for supplements or medical tablets. It is advised that small lithium coin batteries be kept away separately, in their own storing area that is also out of reach of children. For more information, please see the safety guidelines.
Take Immediate Action
If you believe your child or anyone has swallowed a battery, visit your nearest emergency room immediately. The lithium coin battery can cause a harmful and life-threatening chemical reaction within 2 hours.
Do not eat or drink something immediately after the battery has been swallowed as the position and situation of the battery inside the esophagus in unknown.
Similarly, if the batteries were inserted into the mouth, nose or ears, they should immediately be removed and rinsed with plenty of water.
