Why are Disposable Batteries Called Primary?

I bet there is a reason , maybe buried in the history of electronics.

Well, look there, then. That's what books are for, Mildred.

Books are good ,and in truth probably cant be done without, but forums allow access to some real wizards.

Hmmmnm, an interesting question.

I find this explanation from Wikipedia: "It is known as a secondary cell because its electrochemical reactions are electrically reversible." This, to me, is not really a satisfactory answer. I find nothing about just why the terms primary and secondary are selected and used, which is your question.

Wikipedia, Primary Cell Secondary Cell

Thanks for your reply. That is interesting.

Here a thought on primary/secondary cell naming.

"Prior to the rise of electrical generators and electrical power grids from around the end of the 19th century, batteries were the main source of electricity." From here.

As power generation became more reliable and equipment switched from battery to the "grid". Rechargeable batteries became the secondary power source because they could be recharged when power from the "grid" was "on". When it was not, the "secondary" source supplied the power.

Just a WAG on my part. What do you all think?

Charles

Good thoughts. Some guessing from me....I wonder if there was a specific category of equipment (maybe car/tank/lorry/mill generator) that used both types? Maybe the primary battery was used to supply the exciter coil in an alternator (maybe wrong terms?) and then the secondary battery could be charged from alternators output. I did more googling on this and the answer is not to be conclusively found.

Correction to my muddle thinking. It was not an exciter coil but a dynamo called the exciter that supplied the field coil in a larger generator so it could get going. I think.

Thankyou ozzb, that makes sense.