Can a C Battery Change Polarity?

A myth states that once formed, a battery can not change polarity. However, anyone who has studied electromagnetism at school knows that polarity is affected by magnetic objects. Read on to learn how a C battery is similarly affected by electric polarity.

Changing Polarity

When placed incorrectly into a recharger, a battery will take on the charge of whichever polarity is nearest (the polarities of the charger, not of the planet). This is known as “Cell reversal,” and can happen to all kinds of batteries, C batteries included.

Fixing Changed Polarity

Once a C battery has had its polarity reversed, there is very little that can be done. You can completely discharge the battery and place it back in the charger the right way around. Fully discharging is more easily said than done, and the best option with a reversed polarity C battery is probably to throw it away and start again. Attempting to polarity recharge a battery which is only half discharged will result in the release of gas, and may break the charger.