Car batteries are divided into 2 types - those that have direct polarity, and those that have it reversed. What is the specificity of those and other batteries?
What are straight polarity batteries?
Polarity refers to the location of current-carrying structural elements battery - terminals - on its surface (for example, on the cover). It is considered straight if the "plus" of the battery is located on the left, and the "minus" is on the right. In this case, the battery must be deployed front side to the car owner (the terminals are in many cases closer to it, and if not, then it is easy to identify it by the battery label).
The battery terminals are thus designated by the signs "+" or "-".
Basically, batteries with direct polarity are produced for Russian and Asian cars.
What are reverse polarity batteries?
The polarity is considered reversed if, in turn, the "plus" of the battery is on the right, and the "minus" is on the left. Of course, also on the condition that the battery is deployed facing the car owner. 
As a rule, batteries with reverse polarity are available for American and European cars.
Comparison
The main difference between direct polarity batteries and reverse polarity batteries lies, in fact, in the location of the “positive” and “negative” terminals. The appearance of the devices, as well as their functionality, can be almost identical (especially if they are released by the same brand for the same category of cars).
However, it is highly undesirable to install on a car designed for batteries of direct polarity, batteries in which the terminals are located differently. If the polarity is reversed, then the electronics in the car will not work, or even completely fail. In addition, the design of many machines simply does not allow you to correctly connect batteries that do not match the polarity.
When choosing a battery, you can focus on the country that owns the brand of the car manufacturer. If it is Russia or, for example, Japan, then the car most likely needs a straight polarity battery. If it is the USA or Germany, then it will probably be necessary to use devices with terminals located opposite.
Having determined what is the difference between batteries of direct and reverse polarity, we will fix the findings in a small table.
Although there are many models of batteries, there are very few differences between them. All of them work on the same principle, only the type of electrolyte differs, as well as the size of the structure. The connection is also carried out in the same way, except for one moment - the polarity of the device.
The polarity of the device determines the location of the conductive elements on the cover of the device. Through one of them, electricity is supplied to the charge, and through the second it feeds all the electronics of the car. But not everywhere the polarity is identical, many manufacturers make models with different arrangements of these elements. The differences and features of these differences will be discussed further.
Battery polarity
Polarity determines the location of the conductive pins on the cover of the device.. Often they are installed in the same places, only the types of pins differ. And this important factor when connecting the device to the vehicle.
There are two types of polarity:
- straight;
- reverse.
Direct polarity is accepted throughout the CIS. In it, the positive pin (+) is located on the left, and the negative (-) pin is on the right. External differences are minimal, but their location is important when connecting.
Direct polarity is easy to recognize. Often it is marked with a unit, the plus symbol is located on the left, and the minus symbol is on the left. As previously specified, it is by these marks that the indicator should be determined. These batteries are in all domestic cars, only a few options for import and modern models use reverse polarity.
As for the reverse polarity, it is marked with zero and is accepted in Europe. The main difference is the location of the conductive pins and the connection of the battery cans. These batteries are widely used in European cars what should be considered when repairing them.
Advice! To better remember the polarities, it is worth lifting the battery in front of you, looking at the labels. The right hand is on the plus, the left on the minus - this is the reverse polarity.
But there are also other types of polarities that are more commonly used on trucks. In total, three more types are noted:
The first type, as the name implies, is distinguished by the arrangement of the terminals diagonally. The positive terminal is on the bottom right, and the negative terminal is on the top left. This type of polarity is marked with a deuce.
The next type is focused on European truck models. It is marked with a triple and is a reverse lateral polarity. In it, the minus is at the bottom, and the plus is at the top above it.
Important! The Russian polarity for trucks is similar to the European one, but it has a direct polarity and is marked with a four.
It is quite easy to distinguish them if you know the location of the terminals, as well as the number marking. One has only to remember that the numbering in this system starts from zero, starting from the reverse. Then there is a straight line, diagonal, reverse and again a straight line.
How to determine polarity
Polarity is determined by number markings and symbols next to the conductive outlets. You can find out the name of the polarity using the instructions that were given a little earlier. One has only to remember that all the images presented must be determined from the side of the labels that mark the front side of the battery.
If there are no polarity marks, and the characters have been erased, then it is possible to determine them through a test. To do this, take a voltmeter or multimeter, and then connect the probes to the terminals. The polarity of the probes is marked with color, so you can't make a mistake. If the device gives out voltage, then the probes were connected correctly ( red to +, blue to -). If it gives an error or a negative voltage, then the connection was made in reverse order.
There are also two other options:
Color coding available on most modern batteries. Only one contact is marked in red on it - positive. Therefore, the polarity of the device and the location of the outputs immediately become clear.
The second option is the pin size. The positive outlet always has a larger diameter than the negative outlet. This characteristic difference is available on all batteries and does not wear out over time, so even after a few years it will be easy to identify the polarity.
Using these methods, identifying the polarity of the device is quite simple. A multimeter is useful only as a last resort, because the methods of color marking and pin size are much more efficient and easier.
Important! The last method does not work on American batteries, where the pins are missing. Instead, special recesses are used there, where a conductive contact is screwed.
Consequences of incorrect battery connection
Many neglect the polarity and connection of the terminals. Often this attitude persists until the first wrong connection. In such a situation, the consequences can be both mild and the most deplorable.
Among the most common consequences of incorrect connection, the following should be noted:
- closure;
- ignition;
- battery destruction;
- damage on-board computer;
- destruction of fuses;
- generator breakdown;
- wire damage;
- alarm failure.
The first case is the most harmless - the closure of the system. Often, with it, only a few fuses burn out, the consequences are inexpensive and easy to solve. But with a timely shutdown, this will not happen. One has only to pay attention to a sheaf of sparks during the connection process.
Ignition is possible with prolonged use of an incorrectly connected battery. Ignition of small wires occurs, sometimes the fire spreads very quickly.
It is also possible that the battery will fail. The plates under the influence of a reverse charge will begin to collapse, which cannot be restored. But this is much better than a breakdown of the on-board computer. After all, the cost of a new board is extremely high.
Fuses are one of the lesser evils in this case. If several protective elements burn out, then they can be replaced in a couple of minutes. And if the generator burns out, then such a purchase will be a significant blow to the pocket. But often it has special fuses installed that prevent such a breakdown. If it is on the car, then the mistake will only cost a new one. diode bridge.
Important! Reconnecting the battery does not charge. Its complete discharge and the gradual destruction of the elements are possible, which also affects its capabilities.
Alarms and wires are also small costs for a similar mistake. They can be damaged and fail within a couple of minutes after being connected.
However, don't worry, most modern carsprotected from incorrect connection. If there is protection, then the consequence will be only the replacement of several fuses.
If you mix up the terminals when charging with special device, then the consequences will also be minimal. The battery here will not be damaged at all, because the first thing to do is blow the fuse while charging. This will stop the current flow and protect both elements from destruction.
Differences between polarities
If you do not take into account the charging poles, then there are no differences between similar models at all. They have an identical body, can and panel arrangement. Also, the current strength, voltage and other significant factors do not change.
For this reason, it is possible to power a directly connected car from a battery with reversed polarity. There is no difference in work, food will be carried out in the same way as before. However, there will be a problem during installation - often the positive wire on a direct system is too short to connect reverse battery.
There is a solution - you can extend the wire. However, this unsafe for further operation, because the windings in the chain can spark. Therefore, if you make a mistake in choosing a battery, it is better to simply sell it and buy a new one. Do not try to connect it yourself, which can lead to a wire break and loss of current at critical moments.
Thanks to this, the features of the batteries in terms of the location of the conductive contacts are now clear. The consequences of improper connection of the terminals are very deplorable, so do not neglect this factor. And for those who do not fully understand the location of the terminals and their difference depending on the polarity, this video is posted. Here is a visual representation of the difference between negative and positive output on a battery:
Car batteries have such a characteristic as polarity. And when choosing a new battery, it is very important to correctly determine the correct polarity. Otherwise, you may have problems installing it. In this article, we will talk about how to determine the polarity of a car battery.
The most common current output layouts are direct and reverse polarity. There are also very exotic options for the location of current-carrying elements, but on Russian market they didn't settle down. An error in the choice of polarity will not allow the battery to be used for its intended purpose - the current-collecting pole wires, most likely, simply will not reach the corresponding terminals. Therefore, before buying a new battery, it is better to clarify what polarity your current battery has. So you can quickly navigate and avoid mistakes.
Although this situation is not catastrophic. If you have a check on hand (or a product passport with a stamp of a trading organization), then in the store you can easily change the purchased battery for one that fully meets the required criteria. But this whole procedure takes a lot of time and mental strength, besides, the situations are different: the outlet is closed for redistribution, the seller did not come to work for one reason or another ... But how to exchange a battery bought in an online store? Of course, in this case, the law obliges to return or exchange goods, but this will take much more time.
Therefore, it is easiest to determine and remember the type of polarity of the battery in your car just once. It is very easy to do this. On batteries with a capacity of up to 110 Ah, the current leads are located on the long side. Position the battery with this side facing you. On the terminals, or next to them, there should be signs "+" and "-" indicating the corresponding poles. If the positive terminal is on the right (usually it is slightly thicker than the negative terminal), then this is a reverse polarity battery. And if the "plus" is on the left, then you have a battery with direct polarity.
On domestic cars(as well as on most vehicles foreign brands, whose assembly is carried out on the territory of Russia), batteries with direct polarity are installed. On foreign cars assembled in other countries, batteries with reverse polarity are installed.
Determining the polarity of batteries for trucks occurs in a similar way. We turn the battery with the side with the current leads away from us (on cargo batteries this is the short side) and look where is the plus and where is the minus. If the positive terminal is on the right, then this is the so-called reverse or European polarity. If the positive terminal is on the left, then this is a direct or Russian polarity.
Left - European or reverse polarity, right - Russian or direct polarity
If you examined your battery, but you could not determine where you have "Plus" and "Minus", then you can pay attention to the thickness of the current-carrying terminals. On most batteries used in Europe and Russia, the thickness of the current-carrying elements is set by a single standard - on the positive terminal it is 19.5 mm, and on the negative terminal it is 17.9 mm. The difference between them is noticeable to the naked eye, the positive terminal is noticeably thicker. But, there are also batteries with thin terminals. They have a thickness of the positive terminal - 12.7 mm, and the negative one - 11.1 mm.
Battery Polarity Video
Is this simple procedure how to install car battery, can cause problems? How else can. Not only difficulties, but serious damage, short circuit, a fire in the car, a fire in the entire garage cooperative, the refusal of the insurance company to pay out insurance ... You can continue to scroll through this bloodthirsty scenario, but it is better to avoid such troubles. To do this, you need to know a few simple rules and features, as well as surprises that a battery can prepare when installed on a car.
Forward or reverse battery polarity
Everything in this world is relative, both right and left, and plus and minus, and up and down, and capitalists and communists. He had just been a communist, when he immediately got into the Maybach and went to the financial exchange to check the price of oil per barrel. Nothing can be done, but with batteries in this regard it is easier. They are not going to take control of the entire car, just sometimes you can stumble upon a battery of the wrong polarity. And by mistake it is incorrect to install it, which can end sadly. This can happen if the owner mixed up or accidentally changed the terminals. Fortunately, there are only two options for installing a battery - correct and incorrect. Correct, this is when the plus of the battery matches the positive terminal of the car, and the minus matches the wire that goes to the body or to the body of the car.
Given the design features of cars that prevail in a particular market, battery manufacturers produce batteries with two types of polarity - direct and reverse. The design, principle of operation and even appearance These batteries are virtually identical. There is only one difference - where there should be a positive terminal, there is a terminal with a “-” sign. These are all differences, but they can play, as we have already seen, a cruel joke. True, in most cases, it will not work to connect the battery incorrectly. The length of the wire is not enough, since the place under the battery, the installation site, are clearly fixed. Nevertheless, not forgetting that cases of emergency calls for a diagnosis of "light bulb in the mouth" have not become rarer, let's pay increased attention to the polarity of the battery.
European battery manufacturers, Americans and some Asians have the positive terminal on the right. This is if you look at the battery from the side of the sticker or label. Our batteries have the so-called straight polarity, which means that the positive terminal is on the left side. All the confusion also arises from the fact that “right” and “left” are rather arbitrary concepts. Especially if you look at the battery under the hood of the car. For example, the VAZ 2114 will have one “right”, Lanos will have another, and Renault Logan and Zhiguli will not understand at all how to approach the battery correctly. On trucks and Gazelles, where the battery capacity is above 60 A / h, the situation is exactly the same. Therefore, we propose to focus on the front side of the device, which, thank God, is one.
How to determine battery polarity
Suppose you had to buy a battery from an unknown manufacturer, without insignia or any designations. It's OK. We will get out here too, we did not get out of such bogs. Whatever the battery is and whoever releases it there, there are only two standards for terminals. Therefore, you can easily determine the difference where the battery has a positive terminal, and where it is negative.
Video tutorial on determining battery polarity
The standards are as follows:
- the positive terminal has a diameter of 19.5 mm;
- negative terminal - 17.3 mm.
There may be another option, but it is extremely rare, and even then it seems to be only on the territory of the PRC and the former USSR:
- the positive terminal can be 12.7mm in diameter;
- the "-" terminal will have a diameter of 11.1 mm.
Even the latest terminal sizes in the documentation can be referred to as TK. These letters encode the thin design of the terminals.
Well, if we are standing in the middle of the field, we don’t have a caliper to measure the diameter of the terminals, all identification marks from the battery are erased, there is no indication of either the terminals or the type of battery ... Then it will only come in handy folk wisdom and proximity to roots. More precisely, to root crops. If you take an ordinary potato, cut it in half and sprinkle it with salt, then bring out one copper wire from each of the terminals and stick it into the potato at a distance of about 5 mm from each other, then a whitish foam will immediately begin to form around the negative wire. Even if we did not take salt with us, but there are potatoes, it is still possible to determine the polarity. You just need to increase the study time to two minutes. Then a greenish oxide will form around the positive wire. So, an ordinary potato will help a motorist to identify the polarity of the battery. If there are no potatoes, then you can try to lower the wires into acidified water. Then at a little distance contacts-electrodes from each other, negative wire will release gas bubbles.
In the photo - potatoes, with which you can easily determine the polarity
Therefore, some conclusions can be drawn:
- The reverse polarity of the battery is most often found on domestic cars, it is indicated in the documents according to GOST with the number 0, the letters R, "e" or "op". If you put such a battery facing you, then the positive terminal will be on the left.
- Straight battery polarity. It is designated according to our GOSTs with the number 1, the letters L, “pp”. If you put such a battery with the label facing you, then the positive terminal will be on the right.
What should I do if I reversed the polarity when charging or installing?
Despite all the precautions and a lot of distinctive designations, there are cases of ambulance handling with light bulbs and incorrect connection of the battery. Anything happens. However, if this happened, and it could happen, most likely, when charging, you should not panic. The charging terminals do not have a fixed diameter, so it is not surprising to confuse them. If the reverse connection was short-lived, most likely nothing bad happened. Could just burn Charger. Or it might not burn out, then it’s just worth checking its performance and continuing charging with a normal connection.
If charging “in reverse” takes a long time and the charger continues to work, the battery has a “polarity reversal”. This means that he completely lost his orientation - plus became a minus and vice versa. Also not fatal. For treatment, it is necessary to completely discharge the battery with a lamp low power. It can be taken from the size or turn signal, the main thing is that the power is small. In this state, the battery should be completely discharged, after which you can reconnect the charger, just follow the polarity. The polarity reversal procedure is not very useful for the battery.
If the battery is installed with non-observance of the poles on the car, then the simplest thing that can happen is the failure of the diode bridge on the generator, and then along the chain, and so on until electronic block engine control. Anything can burn, but we repeat - you need to be able to install the battery incorrectly. Such a seemingly obvious thing as polarity also requires attention.
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The polarity of the car battery is only two types. Exists:
- Reverse polarity of the car battery;
- Straight polarity car battery.
Mainly battery or front side, or has a label on top. If the “-” sign is on the left, and the “+” is on the right, then such a battery is called reverse polarity.
If on the contrary: “-” on the right, and “+” on the left, then such a battery is called directly polar.
Selection of the polarity of the car battery
Correct battery polarity is very important. In general, this is a very responsible and important matter. If you do not pay attention to the polarity of the battery when buying, then you may have problems installing it in your car. The polar wires from the car simply may not reach their terminals. By the way, in order to determine the polarity of the battery, you just need to look into the technical documentation and see what and how.
For more exact definition Most manufacturers mark the polarity of the battery - where is the plus and where is the minus with different colors. For example, red is plus, blue is minus.
What polarity, for what cars
Most often, reverse polarity is used in production. batteries aimed at the two most important markets - the American market, the European market. As for batteries with direct polarity, here they are most often designed for the Asian market: Japan, South Korea etc.
So if you ride Korean car or Japanese car not designed for Europe, then you should think about what you need a battery suitable for your car.
What if I reversed the polarity: what are the consequences?
Having reversed the polarity, many problems can arise not only with the car, but also with the battery. The cause of all problems is a short circuit. It can lead to breakdown of various controls - from blowing a fuse to breaking through the car's generator, and so on. So, mixing up the polarity of the problems will not be enough. In addition, the battery also becomes unusable.
Conclusions:
It is necessary to take a responsible approach to the matter of choosing a battery, Special attention you need to pay attention to its polarity, when installing the battery, it is important to properly fix the terminals, since then there may be problems with all the electronics of the car.
