RECHARGEABLE BATTERY

A rechargeable battery including a case including an electrode assembly therein; a cap plate on the case, the cap plate including a short-circuit hole therein; an internal insulator at an inner side of the cap plate, the internal insulator covering the short-circuit hole; first and second electrode terminals that penetrate through the internal insulator and the cap plate and that are electrically connected to the electrode assembly; an external short-circuit part on the cap plate, the external short-circuit part including a membrane electrically connected to the short-circuit hole of the cap plate, the cap plate being electrically connected to the second electrode terminal, and a short-circuit tab electrically connected to the first electrode terminal, the external short-circuit part selectively spacing or short-circuiting the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal; and a retainer coupled with the internal insulator, the retainer being between the internal insulator and the electrode assembly.