TIANQIUBatteries for IoT Devices and Wireless Sensors
Which cells power IoT sensors and tags?
The CR lithium coin cell family covers most of this market. CR2032 is the default for tags and small sensors, CR2450 and CR2477 buy more capacity where there is room, and CR1220 or CR1025 fit the thin cases where thickness is the hard constraint.
| Model | Voltage | Size (dia × h) | Capacity | Typical fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR2477 | 3.0V | 24.5 × 7.7 mm | 1000mAh | Large sensors, long service interval |
| CR2450 | 3.0V | 24.5 × 5.0 mm | 550 – 620mAh | Room sensors, beacons, medical monitors |
| CR2032 | 3.0V | 20 × 3.2 mm | 190 – 255mAh | Tags, trackers, small sensors, CMOS |
| CR2025 | 3.0V | 20 × 2.5 mm | 130 – 185mAh | Where 3.2 mm will not fit |
| CR2016 | 3.0V | 20 × 1.6 mm | 75 – 100mAh | Thin remotes and slim tags |
| CR1220 | 3.0V | 12.5 × 2.0 mm | 38mAh (0.114Wh) | Very small sensors, RTC backup |
| CR1025 | 3.0V | 10 × 2.5 mm | 30mAh (0.090Wh) | Smallest form factors |
How do you work out whether a cell will last the device lifetime?
Divide the usable capacity by the average current, not the peak current. A CR2032 rated 190–255mAh gives roughly 220mAh at a low continuous draw, so a sensor averaging 20µA has a theoretical budget near 12,000 hours before derating — but a sensor that wakes and transmits in bursts drains far faster than the average suggests.
- Start from the average current including sleep, wake and transmit phases.
- Treat the published capacity as a range, not a single number — design against the low end.
- Derate for the cold: capacity falls as temperature drops, so a device outdoors needs headroom.
- Pulse current matters separately: a cell that reads fine on paper can sag under a transmit burst. Ask for the discharge curve before you commit.
What happens to a cell that ships a year after it was made?
It keeps most of its capacity. For a CR2032 we publish that one year after delivery, under normal storage, 98% of initial capacity is maintained. That is the number to use when you are modelling a device that is built, warehoused and then switched on by an end user months later.
Normal storage means dry, room temperature, away from direct heat. Storage conditions outside that will change the figure — we will not quote a shelf life for a warehouse we cannot see.
Which cell should a PCB be designed around?
The holder, not the data sheet. Engineers frequently pick the highest-capacity cell first and then discover the holder does not fit inside the enclosure, and by that point the board is laid out. Choose the holder, confirm the mechanical envelope, and only then pick the cell that fits it.
- Decide the enclosure thickness first — it usually rules out CR2032 in favour of CR2025 or CR2016.
- Then pick the holder part number your assembly already stocks.
- Then take the largest capacity that fits that holder.
- Write the part number the way your supply chain writes it, so a second source stays possible.
What documentation ships with the cells?
Lithium coin cells are regulated for transport, so IoT buyers normally need the transport file rather than a marketing sheet. We hold UN38.3 for the lithium range, publish an SDS on request, and give every model its own EU declaration reference number.
| Need | What we provide |
|---|---|
| Air or sea freight | UN38.3 test summary for the lithium range |
| Carrier or customs | SDS / MSDS on request |
| EU market placement | EU Regulation 2023/1542 conformity, per-model declaration number |
| Your own compliance file | Certificates: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, BSCI, UL, CE, RoHS, SGS, PONY |
Frequently asked questions
Can you supply CR2032 cells in the tens of thousands for a production run?
Yes — that is the normal order shape for this range. Our first-order minimum is 50 cartons per product line, and mixed-SKU cartons are possible where the programme needs them.
Do you make any models that are not on the page?
Our published range covers CR2032, CR2025, CR2016, CR2450, CR2477, CR1220 and CR1025. If you need a model outside that list — including the thinner or larger sizes — send us the drawing or the part number and we will confirm whether it is available.
Is a lithium coin cell a dangerous good for shipping?
Lithium metal cells are regulated for transport and need UN38.3 testing, which our lithium range holds. The exact classification depends on how the cells are packed and whether they travel loose or installed in equipment — give us the shipping scenario and we will tell you what documentation applies.
Can you print a code on the cell for batch traceability?
Yes. Cells are printed on the negative electrode with a production code in the form Y-M — for example 64 for 2026-04 or 6X for 2026-10 — so a returned cell can be matched to its production month.