<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-28</periodOfReport>


    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000808064</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>C&amp;D TECHNOLOGIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CHP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001257308</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WREFORD STANLEY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>50 BELZ ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TELFORD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>18969</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President - Technology</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Stanley Wreford</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

