ACE Test Lab

The transport of Lithium Batteries is subject to international regulation which can differ if the batteries are transported by air, sea or road. The UN (United Nations) issues recommendations for the transport of dangerous goods worldwide along with the United States which defines shipping regulations for the U.S. under 49 CFR, Sections 100-18. Together, both guidelines define test requirements for the safe packaging and shipment of lithium metal and lithium ion batteries.

Lithium batteries are classified as dangerous goods and can pose a safety risk if not tested and packaged in accordance with the transport regulations. As an internationally-recognized independent test laboratory with 60 years of product safety expertise, we help you ensure your lithium batteries are compliant to transportation regulations to be considered safe for transport.

UN 38.3 presents a combination of significant environmental, mechanical, and electrical stresses, in sequence (T1-T5):

• T1 – Altitude Simulation (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries)
• T2 – Thermal Test (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries)
• T3 – Vibration (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries)
• T4 – Shock (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries)
• T5 – External Short Circuit (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries)
• T6 – Impact (Primary and Secondary Cells)
• T7 – Overcharge (Secondary Batteries)
• T8 – Forced Discharge (Primary and Secondary Cells)

IS 16046:2015/IEC 62133: 2012 has been revised and published in the following two parts:

1. IS 16046 (Part 1): 2018/ IEC 62133-1: 2017 – ‘Secondary Cells and Batteries Containing Alkaline or Other Non-Acid Electrolytes — Safety Requirements for Portable Sealed Secondary Cells and for Batteries Made from Them for Use in Portable Applications Part 1 Nickel Systems’.

2. IS 16046 (Part 2): 2018/ IEC 62133-2:2017 – ‘Secondary Cells and Batteries Containing Alkaline or Other Non-Acid Electrolytes — Safety Requirements for Portable Sealed Secondary Cells and for Batteries Made from Them for Use in Portable Applications Part 2 Lithium Systems’.

The significant changes in the revised Standards as listed below-

IS 16046 (Part 1): 2018/ IEC 62133-1: 2017

• separation of lithium systems into a separate part (i.e. Part 2)
• inclusion of button cell requirements.

IS 16046 (Part 2): 2018/ IEC 62133-2: 2017

• separation of nickel systems into a separate part (i.e. Part 1)
• inclusion of coin cell requirements
• update of assembly of cells into batteries (5.6)
• mechanical tests (vibration – 7.3.8.1, shock – 7.3.8.2)

IEC 62368-1:2014 deals with the safety of electrical and electronic equipment within the field of audio, video, information and communication technology, and business and office machines with a rated voltage not exceeding 600 V. This standard does not include requirements for performance or functional characteristics of equipment. A rated voltage of 600 V is considered to include equipment rated at 400/690 V. This part of IEC 62368 is also applicable to: components and subassemblies intended for incorporation in this equipment.

Such components and subassemblies need not comply with every requirement of the standard, provided that the complete equipment, incorporating such components and subassemblies, does comply; external power supply units intended to supply other equipment within the scope of this part of IEC 62368 and accessories intended to be used with equipment within the scope of this part of IEC 62368. This part of IEC 62368 does not apply to power supply systems which are not an integral part of the equipment, such as motor-generator sets, battery backup systems and distribution transformers.

In future, this standard will replace IEC 60950 A1 & A2 and IEC 60065:2017.