A secondary battery comprising: an electrode assembly having first and second electrode plates (110, 120) arranged as a stack and a separator interposed between the first and second electrode plates, wherein: the first electrode plate comprises a first portion which is coated with a first active material, and a second portion which is not coated with the first active material; the second electrode plate comprises a first portion which is coated with a second active material, and a second portion which is not coated with the second active material; and the second portion of the first electrode plate comprises an insulating member arranged in an area which corresponds to the second electrode plate; wherein a portion of the insulating member is arranged in an area which corresponds to the first portion of the second electrode plate; and wherein the insulating member is formed adjacent to the first portion of the first electrode plate; characterised in that the width of the insulating member is smaller than the width of the first electrode plate and corresponds to the width of an electrode tab protruding from the first electrode plate. an electrode assembly having first and second electrode plates (110, 120) arranged as a stack and a separator interposed between the first and second electrode plates, wherein: the first electrode plate comprises a first portion which is coated with a first active material, and a second portion which is not coated with the first active material; the second electrode plate comprises a first portion which is coated with a second active material, and a second portion which is not coated with the second active material; and the second portion of the first electrode plate comprises an insulating member arranged in an area which corresponds to the second electrode plate; wherein a portion of the insulating member is arranged in an area which corresponds to the first portion of the second electrode plate; and wherein the insulating member is formed adjacent to the first portion of the first electrode plate; characterised in that the width of the insulating member is smaller than the width of the first electrode plate and corresponds to the width of an electrode tab protruding from the first electrode plate. the first electrode plate comprises a first portion which is coated with a first active material, and a second portion which is not coated with the first active material; the second electrode plate comprises a first portion which is coated with a second active material, and a second portion which is not coated with the second active material; and the second portion of the first electrode plate comprises an insulating member arranged in an area which corresponds to the second electrode plate; wherein a portion of the insulating member is arranged in an area which corresponds to the first portion of the second electrode plate; and wherein the insulating member is formed adjacent to the first portion of the first electrode plate; characterised in that the width of the insulating member is smaller than the width of the first electrode plate and corresponds to the width of an electrode tab protruding from the first electrode plate.