Page "Nickel–cadmium battery" Paragraph 41

Vented cell voltage rises rapidly at the end of charge allowing for very simple charger circuitry to be used.

Typically a battery is constant current charged at 1 CA rate until all the cells have reached at least 1. 55 V. Another charge cycle follows at 0. 1 CA rate, again until all cells have reached 1. 55 V. The charge is finished with an equalizing or top-up charge, typically for not less than 4 hours at 0. 1 CA rate.

The purpose of the over-charge is to expel as much ( if not all ) of the gases collected on the electrodes, hydrogen on the anode and oxygen on the cathode, and some of these gases recombine to form water which in turn will raise the electrolyte level to its highest level after which it is safe to adjust the electrolyte levels.

During the over-charge or top-up charge, the cell voltages will go beyond 1. 6V and then slowly start to drop.

No cell should rise above 1. 71 V ( dry cell ) or drop below 1. 55 V ( gas barrier broken ).