trickle charge
A low continuous charging current that tops up a fully charged battery and offsets self-discharge without overcharging it.
Full Definition & Technical Explanation
trickle charge — A low continuous charging current that tops up a fully charged battery and offsets self-discharge without overcharging it.
Chargers deliver this maintenance current at a small fraction of the battery’s capacity, so the cell stays full while heat and stress stay minimal. It is common in nickel-based and lead-acid maintenance chargers; modern lithium-ion battery management systems instead terminate the charge and re-top the cell only when its voltage drops, avoiding a continuous trickle current.
Unregulated trickle charging can overcharge a cell and shorten its lifespan, which is why quality chargers taper or cut the current automatically once the battery is full.
See also: VOOC, wired charging.
Where trickle charge Matters
Frequently Asked Questions
What is trickle charge?
A low continuous charging current that tops up a fully charged battery and offsets self-discharge without overcharging it.
What terms are related to trickle charge?
Related Battery terms include VOOC, wired charging.