An electrode assembly including a first electrode strip having a first electrode collector coated with at least a first electrode active material, an exposed portion of the first electrode collector attached with a first electrode tab; a second electrode strip having a second electrode collector coated with at least a second electrode active material and is rolled together with the first electrode strip, an exposed portion of the second electrode collector is attached with a second electrode tab; and at least one inter-electrode strip separator is positioned between the first and second electrode strips, wherein at least one sheet of protective separator, which is extended from the inter-electrode strip separator, is further positioned on a side of the first electrode strip attached with the first electrode tab.