CR2032 Coin Cell Battery: Specifications, Key Features and Benefits (2024)

The CR2032 battery is a small but mighty power source found in various devices. Known for its compact size and long-lasting power, this coin cell battery has become a staple in many electronic gadgets and applications. This blog post will delve into a comprehensive description of the CR2032 battery, including its benefits, specifications, pinout, and applications.

How to Measure a CR2032 Coin cell battery

Brief about CR2032 Batteries

BATTERY LITHIUM 3V COIN 20MM

A common 3-volt lithium coin cell battery, the CR2032 is frequently utilized to power a variety of popular gadgets. These small batteries are known for their durability, operating effectively in temperatures ranging from -30°C to 85°C. Under typical conditions, they have a lifespan of 3 to 5 years.

Due to their compact design, CR2032 batteries are ideal for use in some of the slimmest sensors. With a voltage of up to 3 volts and a capacity of up to 240mAh, the CR2032 is a kind of non-rechargeable lithium coin, or "button," cell battery. It is the lithium cell battery that is most frequently used worldwide.

The CR2032 is also referred to by several other names, including BR2332, BR2032, DL2032, EA2032C, ECR2032, L2032, LF1/2V, LM2032, CR2332, 2032, 5004LC, AWI L14, RFA-35, and Seiko SB-T15.

Pinout

It has two main pinout points:

Positive Terminal (+): It is situated on the bigger flat surface on top of the battery, as shown by the red arrow in the image. A "+" symbol is used to identify this terminal.
Negative Terminal (-): As shown by the black arrow in the picture, there is a smaller flat surface on the bottom of the battery. This surface usually contacts the device's battery holder.

Symbol

CR2032 Symbol

The image represents the schematic symbol for a CR2032 battery, which is a 3V lithium coin cell battery commonly used in small electronic devices. This is a thorough explanation of the symbol:

1. Form and Arrangement:

- The battery terminals are represented by the symbol, which is made up of two parallel lines, one longer than the other.
- The positive terminal (+) is shown by the longer line.
- The shorter line indicates the negative terminal (-).

2. Labels:

- The plus sign (+) designates the positive terminal.
- A minus symbol (-) designates the negative terminal.

3. Electrical Connection:

- The symbol includes two lines extending from each terminal to show the connection points for the battery in a circuit.
- These lines are often attached to the device's power input terminals.

Use and Application

● Identification: The CR2032 symbol helps in identifying the correct placement of the battery within electronic circuits, ensuring proper polarity alignment.
● Circuit Diagrams: It is commonly used in circuit diagrams and schematics to indicate where the CR2032 battery should be placed.
● Standardization: The standardized symbol ensures that engineers and technicians can universally understand the type of battery required and its connection orientation.

This symbol is essential for ensuring that devices using a CR2032 battery are correctly assembled and function as intended.

Footprint

CR2032 Footprint

The image above shows the footprint of the Panasonic - BSG CR2032 Battery Holder. Here are the detailed instructions:

Visual Breakdown:

1. Overall Shape:

The footprint is symmetrical with a rectangular center and two extended horizontal pads on either side.
The central part is slightly wider at the top with a notch, resembling a "U" shape.

2. Central Pad:

A small, square pad is located in the center, likely for the positive terminal connection.

3. Horizontal Pads:

Two elongated rectangular pads extend horizontally from the center. These pads are symmetrical and likely for the negative terminal connections.
The horizontal pads are highlighted in orange, indicating their conductive nature.

4. Clearance Areas:

The outer lines represent the outline of the battery holder, ensuring proper placement and mechanical stability.
The space within the outer lines but outside the central pad and horizontal pads likely serves as a clearance area for the physical holder structure.

Key Dimensions (Approximate):

● Width of Central Pad: 1 unit (based on relative scale)
● Length of Horizontal Pads: Each extending approximately 3 units from the central pad.
● Overall Width: Approximately 7 units, considering the extension of both horizontal pads.
● Overall Height: Approximately 4 units from the bottom to the top of the "U" shaped notch.

Functional Description:

● Positive Terminal: Connected to the central square pad.
● Negative Terminal: Connected to the horizontal rectangular pads.

Placement:

● Ensure that the battery holder is aligned with the "+" marking on the PCB for correct polarity.
● The holder should be soldered such that the central pad connects to the positive terminal of the battery, and the horizontal pads connect to the negative terminal.

This footprint design ensures proper electrical connection and mechanical stability for the Panasonic - BSG CR2032 battery holder when mounted on a PCB.

Features

● Dimensions: The CR2032 coin cell battery is a standard-sized coin cell battery, measuring 20 millimeters in diameter and 3.2 millimeters in thickness.

● Voltage: Typically provides a stable output voltage of 3 volts.

● Capacity: Usually ranges between 200 to 230 milliampere-hours (mAh), varying slightly depending on the brand and model.

● Chemical Composition: Made of lithium manganese dioxide (Li-MnO2), offering high energy density and long lifespan.

● Low Self-Discharge Rate: Has a self-discharge rate of less than 1% per year, ensuring a long shelf life and maintaining charge even when not in use.

● Operating Temperature Range: Capable of operating in a temperature range of -30°C to +60°C, this device excels in harsh environments.

Benefits

● Long Lifespan: The long lifespan of CR2032 batteries lowers maintenance costs and the need for frequent battery replacements.

● High Reliability: They maintain stable performance in extreme temperatures and various environments, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.

● Compact and Portable: Their small size makes them ideal for portable devices, providing convenience for users to carry and use.

● Cost-Effective: CR2032 batteries offer a high cost-performance ratio, making them an economical choice compared to other battery types.

● Versatile Applications: They are extensively utilized in a wide range of gadgets, including watches, calculators, remote controls, medical equipment, and more, making it simple for users to identify items that are compatible.

Dimensions

CR2032 Dimensions

Specifications

How to calculate the run time of your CR2032 battery

A popular battery for portable electronics applications is the CR2032. Numerous factors, such as operational temperature, discharge current, dynamic loads, etc., affect how long a battery lasts. However, let's assume for simplicity's sake that we power a typical load that draws a constant 20 mA of current at 20 °C. In that scenario, our battery has a 240mAh capacity. This indicates that our battery will run for one hour at a drain of 240 mA and two hours at a draw of 120 mA. Thus, a battery with a consumption of only 20 mA should last (240/20) 12 hours for our application. However, because of the system's fluctuating operational temperature and current, this statistic will not be precise. To further explain the same, the datasheet also includes a nice graph.

Internal Resistance Characteristics

The internal resistance of the battery is a crucial factor to take into account while choosing one. Unfortunately, internal resistance is a feature of all batteries and will keep you from getting the most current out of them. The more current you can draw from a battery and its efficiency will rise with its lower IR (internal resistance). A battery's IR will grow with age or environmental factors.

The constant background drain at 15k ohms during a pulse test at 25°C is 0.193mA at 2.9V. Additionally, the pulse drain at 400 ohms is 6.8 mA @ 2.7V every 2 seconds * 12 times.

How to Use CR2032 Battery?

Coin cell batteries have a wide range of uses. The design below demonstrates how to combine a CR2032 coin cell battery with a basic LED circuit. The resistance is utilized for protection or current limiting because CR2032s have a nominal voltage of 3.0V, while a basic LED requires a minimum voltage of 2.2V to operate.

Applications

1. Watches: One of the most common uses is in wristwatches. These small, reliable power sources are ideal for the compact and intricate design of watches. Their long lifespan ensures that timepieces can run for extended periods without the need for frequent battery replacements, maintaining accurate timekeeping over months or even years.

2. Calculators: Scientific and financial calculators often rely on these batteries for power. The long-lasting nature of the battery ensures that these essential tools for students, professionals, and businesses are always ready for use without the inconvenience of frequent battery changes.

3. Remote Controls: Remote controls for various devices, including car key fobs, garage door openers, and home entertainment systems, often use this type of battery. The steady voltage output ensures dependable operation and rapid and precise execution of directives.

4. Medical Equipment: These batteries are used by numerous portable medical devices, including heart rate monitors, digital thermometers, and glucose meters. In medical applications, where precise readings and steady performance might be important to patient health, their dependability and long shelf life are invaluable.

5. Keyless Entry Systems: Modern vehicles often use keyless entry systems powered by these batteries. The small size fits well within the compact design of key fobs, and the long-lasting power ensures that the keyless entry system remains functional over extended periods, providing convenience and security to users.

6. Backup Power for Memory: In computers and other electronic devices, these batteries are frequently used to provide backup power for memory and real-time clocks (RTC). This ensures that important settings and timekeeping information are preserved even when the main power source is disconnected, maintaining the device's functionality and accuracy.

7. Fitness Devices: Wearable fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, and other portable health devices often rely on these batteries. Their compact size and extended life make them suitable for devices that need to be lightweight and long-lasting, allowing users to track their health metrics accurately and consistently.

8. Toys: These batteries are used by many electronic toys to give dependable, long-lasting power. This is particularly important for toys that require consistent performance, such as those with lights, sounds, or motorized parts, ensuring that children can enjoy their toys without frequent interruptions for battery replacements.

9. Security Devices: Home security systems, including wireless sensors, alarms, and cameras, often use these batteries. The stable voltage output and long shelf life are essential for ensuring that security devices remain operational and effective, providing continuous protection for homes and businesses.

10. Hearing Aids: Some hearing aids utilize these batteries, benefiting from their small size and reliable power output. This ensures that users can depend on their hearing aids for clear and consistent audio assistance throughout the day, improving their quality of life.

11. Electronic Door Locks: Smart door locks that offer keyless entry and remote control features often use these batteries. The reliability and longevity of the battery ensure that the lock system functions smoothly, providing security and convenience for homeowners.

12. Digital Cameras: Compact digital cameras and some types of digital camcorders use these batteries. The high energy density and stable voltage output are crucial for maintaining the camera's functionality, ensuring that it can capture important moments without power interruptions.

13. Portable Electronic Devices: Various other portable electronic devices, such as handheld games, laser pointers, and small flashlights, utilize these batteries. They are perfect for various applications because of their compact form size and ability to supply steady power, which guarantees dependable operation in a range of conditions.

14. Smart Home Devices: Smart home devices, including sensors and smart thermostats, often use these batteries. The long lifespan and dependable power output are essential for maintaining the seamless operation of these devices, contributing to the overall efficiency and convenience of a smart home ecosystem.

15. Environmental Monitoring Devices: Portable environmental monitoring devices, such as temperature and humidity sensors, use these batteries. The ability to function over a wide range of temperatures makes them suitable for various environmental conditions, ensuring accurate and reliable data collection.

16. Memory Backup for Electronic Equipment: In various electronic equipment, these batteries provide backup power for memory functions, ensuring that important data is not lost during power outages or system shutdowns. This application is critical in maintaining the integrity and continuity of data in sensitive electronic systems.

17. Laser Pointers: Laser pointers used in presentations and teaching environments often rely on these batteries. Their compact size and reliable power output ensure that the laser pointer operates smoothly, aiding in effective communication and presentation delivery.

18. Motherboards and BIOS Settings: Computer motherboards use these batteries to maintain BIOS settings and system clock information. This contributes to the general stability and dependability of the system by guaranteeing that time settings and system configurations are maintained even when the computer is turned off.

19. Portable Lights: Small portable lights, such as keychain lights and small LED flashlights, often use these batteries. Their ability to provide bright and reliable illumination in a compact form factor makes them ideal for these applications, ensuring that users have access to light whenever needed.

20. Thermostats: Programmable and smart thermostats often use these batteries as a backup power source to retain user settings and schedules. This ensures that the thermostat continues to function correctly during power outages, maintaining the desired temperature settings in homes and offices.

CR2032 VS CR2025 batteries

Two typical button batteries, CR2032 and CR2025, are found in many small electrical devices, including computer motherboards, watches, calculators, and remote controls. Despite having a strikingly similar appearance, there are a number of important variances.

First, the main difference between CR2032 and CR2025 is their thickness. CR2032 batteries are 3.2 mm thick, while CR2025 batteries are 2.5 mm thick. CR2032 batteries are known for their longer lifespan and higher capacity due to this distinction. Specifically, the capacity of CR2032 batteries is about 225 milliamp hours (mAh), while the capacity of CR2025 batteries is about 160 milliamp hours (mAh). Therefore, CR2032 batteries tend to be a better choice in devices that require longer battery life.

Second, both batteries have the same diameter of 20 mm. This allows them to be used interchangeably in certain devices, although doing so may affect the performance of the device and the life of the battery. For example, using a CR2032 battery instead of a CR2025 battery may result in the battery compartment cover not closing completely or insufficient space inside the device. Using a CR2025 battery instead of a CR2032 battery may cause the device to not work properly due to poor contact.

Finally, in terms of price, CR2032 batteries are generally slightly more expensive, but may be more cost-effective in the long run due to their larger capacity and longer life. When purchasing batteries, users should choose the right battery model based on the specific requirements of the device and their own needs to ensure the best performance and longest life of the device.

In general, CR2032 and CR2025 batteries have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of which battery should be determined based on the specific usage scenario and device requirements. CR2032 is a better choice when larger capacity and long battery life are required, while CR2025 may be more suitable in devices with limited space or strict requirements on thickness.

Conclusion

A dependable and adaptable power source, the CR2032 battery is necessary for a variety of electronic equipment. Its compact size, high energy density, long shelf life, and stable voltage output make it a preferred choice for many applications. Whether in everyday items like watches and remote controls or critical devices like medical equipment and security systems, the CR2032 battery proves its value time and again. By understanding its benefits, specifications, and applications, users can make informed decisions about integrating this efficient power source into their devices.

Common Queries Answered

What devices use CR2032 batteries?

Numerous gadgets, such as watches, calculators, fitness trackers, keyless entry systems, remote controls, medical equipment, and tiny electronic toys, require CR2032 batteries.

How long does a CR2032 battery last?

A CR2032 battery's lifespan might vary based on the gadget and how it is used, but in most cases, it lasts between one and five years. Low-drain devices have a ten-year lifespan.

Are all CR2032 batteries the same?

While all CR2032 batteries share the same size and voltage specifications, there can be differences in capacity, brand quality, and shelf life. Selecting a trustworthy brand is essential for dependable performance.

Can you recharge a CR2032 battery?

Recharging standard CR2032 batteries is risky since they cannot be recharged. Rechargeable versions are available, albeit they need to be clearly marked as such (LIR2032, for example).

How do you dispose of CR2032 batteries?

It is recommended to appropriately dispose of CR2032 batteries at a battery recycling facility or a specific collection location. Batteries can be recycled through a number of local trash management organizations and shops.

How is a CR2032 battery tested?

A CR2032 battery can be tested with a multimeter. Place the probes on the battery terminals, positive to the flat side and negative to the rounded side, and set the multimeter to measure voltage. A CR2032 battery that has been fully charged should show about 3 volts.

Can CR2032 batteries be used in place of CR2016 batteries?

Sometimes, if the gadget can handle the greater thickness, CR2032 cells can be used in place of CR2016 batteries. However, it's best to use the battery type recommended by the device manufacturer.

Why do CR2032 batteries die quickly?

CR2032 batteries may die quickly if used in high-drain devices, due to constant usage, or if they are exposed to extreme temperatures. Poor quality or counterfeit batteries can also have shorter lifespans.

Where to buy CR2032 batteries?

CR2032 batteries can be purchased at most electronics stores, supermarkets, drugstores, and online retailers such as Amazon, eBay, and specialized battery suppliers.