For the battery used to power vacuum tubes in early electronic devices, see C battery (vacuum tube).
Two C-size batteries
The C battery (C size battery or R14 battery) is a standard size of dry cellbattery typically used in medium-drain applications such as toys, modern boomboxes ,flashlights, and musical instruments.
As of 2007, C batteries accounted for 4% of alkaline primary battery sales in the United States. In Switzerland as of 2008, C batteries totalled 5.4% of primary battery sales and 3.4% of secondary (rechargeable) battery sales.[1][2]
A C battery measures 50mm (1.97in) length and 26.2mm (1.03in) diameter.[3]
The voltage and capacity of a C-size battery depends on the battery chemistry and discharge conditions. The nominal voltage is 1.5V. Alkaline C batteries have a storage capacity up to 8000 mAh while rechargeable NiMH C batteries can hold up to 6000 mAh. Zinc-carbon C batteries usually hold up to 3800 mAh. Compared to the AAA and AA batteries, C-batteries' storage capacities are significantly higher.[4]
Standardisation
Like the D battery, the C battery size has been standardized since the 1920s.[5] The AA, AAA, and N sizes have been in common use since the 1950s.[6] It is descended from the old No. 1 dry cell battery for flashlights which was of a similar size, originally the zinc casing was formed around a broom handle.
The C battery is called "14" in current ANSI standards of battery nomenclature, and in IEC standards is designated "R14".
↑Ron Runkles (ed) A Brief History of the Standardization of Portable Cells and Batteries in the United States, American National Standards Institute Accredited Standards Committee C18 on Portable Cells and Batteries, 2002, ANSI Battery Standardization History, 2010 Jan 9
