Passivation - The phenomenon by which a metal, although in conditions of thermodynamic instability, remains indefinitely unattacked because of modified or altered surface conditions.
Discharge Rate - The rate, usually expressed in amperes, at which electrical current is taken from the battery.
Inverter (off-line or stand-by) - UPS configuration in which the inverter is parallel-mounted to the load supply line and backs up the mains. This configuration offers a substantial cost reduction but is applicable only to low outputs, under 3 kVA, because it results in an interruption lasting up to 10 ms during transfer and does not filter inrush currents.
Coulomb - The amount of electricity transported by a current of one ampere flowing for one second.
Cathode - The electrode in an electrochemical cell where reduction takes place. During discharge, the positive electrode of the cell is the cathode. During charge in a rechargeable battery, the negative electrode is the cathode.
Electrolyte - The medium which provides the ion transport mechanism between the positive and negative electrodes of a cell.
Voltage-Keyed - A system which incorporates a mechanical identifier on batteries and devices to ensure only batteries of the correct voltage are connected to the device.
