Articles/Battery Technology

Reference Table of Typical Voltages for VRLA, NiCd & LiFePO4 Cells

By Vanya SmytheJuly 10, 2018
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Battery Voltage Reference Guide

This reference provides typical nominal, float, and boost voltages for the three main battery chemistries used in industrial standby power applications. All values are per cell.

Battery cell voltage reference chart - mobile optimized card layout showing VRLA, NiCd, and LiFePO4 operating voltages
Battery cell voltage reference chart - mobile optimized card layout showing VRLA, NiCd, and LiFePO4 operating voltages

VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead-Acid)

Parameter

Voltage (V/cell)

Notes

Nominal

2.0

Standard reference voltage

Float

2.25 - 2.30

Continuous charge at 25°C

Boost/Equalize

2.35 - 2.40

Periodic equalization charge

End of Discharge

1.75

Minimum safe discharge level

NiCd (Nickel Cadmium)

Parameter

Voltage (V/cell)

Notes

Nominal

1.2

Standard reference voltage

Float

1.40 - 1.45

Continuous trickle charge

Boost

1.55 - 1.65

Fast recharge after discharge

End of Discharge

1.0

Minimum safe discharge level

LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate)

Parameter

Voltage (V/cell)

Notes

Nominal

3.2

Standard reference voltage

Charge Voltage

3.5 - 3.65

CC/CV charging termination

Storage Voltage

3.2 - 3.3

~50% SOC for long-term storage

End of Discharge

2.5

BMS cutoff voltage

Key Considerations

When selecting or specifying batteries, consider:

  • Operating temperature range affects voltage characteristics
  • Manufacturer-specific values may vary slightly
  • Float voltage is critical for maximizing battery life
  • End-of-discharge voltage affects available capacity

Related Resources

For more detailed comparisons between battery technologies, see our article on LiFePO4 vs VRLA batteries.