Definition
A method of charging a storage battery in which the current flowing into the battery is held at a fixed value throughout the charging process, while the voltage applied by the charger is adjusted as needed to maintain that current. This method is commonly used for charging nickel-cadmium aircraft batteries.
Plain English
A way of charging a battery where the charger pushes the same steady amount of electrical flow into it the whole time, regardless of how full the battery is.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft battery servicing, especially when a maintenance technician is choosing or monitoring a battery charger.
Derivation
Constant' means unchanging, and 'current' is the rate of electrical flow (measured in amperes). So the name simply describes what the charger does: keeps the rate of flow steady.
Why Pilots Care
Proper constant-current charging restores battery capacity safely without overheating or gassing, ensuring reliable engine starts and electrical system operation.
Intuition Check
Constant-current does not mean the battery voltage stays constant. It means the charging current is held steady while the battery voltage is allowed to change.
Example Sentence 1
The maintenance technician placed the nickel-cadmium battery on a constant-current charge for the manufacturer's specified time.
Example Sentence 2
During a constant-current charge the voltage reading slowly rises to keep the amperage fixed as the battery accepts more energy.