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Follow on Google News | SGS Discusses the New UN 38.3 Transport Test Requirements for Lithium Cells and BatteriesLithium cells and batteries have to undergo so called “UN Transport Tests” before they are eligible for transport.
With the Rev 5 Amd 1 some of the requirements for lithium cells and batteries will change. Most notably the requirement for a re-test has been somewhat relaxed, a break off from the housing during a test does not necessarily constitute a failure anymore, component cells need to also pass T.8, the thermal test has been relaxed (from 75 °C to 72 °C), the vibration test has been relaxed for large batteries (2 gn instead of 8 gn) and a new Crush Test replaces the Impact Test for most cell types. A number of more subtle changes have been made that, while seeming unimportant to many, may well have an impact on some products. The following points are a selection of the changes in the new revision, given in the sequence of their appearance in the specification (not weighted for their supposed importance). Scope of UN 38.3 Section 38.3 now starts with a summary of which type of primary/secondary cell/battery shall be subjected to which tests. While it does not contain requirements that are not also listed elsewhere, the new overview makes things much clearer. Criteria for a Re-Test If cells or batteries differ from a tested type by: […] • Old: (c) A change that would materially affect the test results. • New: (c) A change that would lead to failure of any of the tests. A foreseeable small influence on the test results is not a criterion for a re-test anymore. Only if a failure of at least one of the tests seems possible a re-test is required. A list of examples of changes that may lead to a re-test is given. Definition of Battery • Old: Battery means one or more cells … • New: Battery means two or more cells … A long running source of confusion has been clarified. A one cell battery shall be regarded and tested as a cell not as a battery. Although a rechargeable single cell battery with overcharge protection shall additionally be subjected to T.7 which is otherwise reserved to rechargeable batteries (not cells). Definition of Large/Small Cell • Old (large): For lithium metal cell if lithium content of the anode, when fully charged, is more than 12 g. For lithium ion cell if the watt-hour rating is more than 150 Wh. Otherwise the cell is small. • New (large): If gross mass is more than 500 g. Otherwise the cell is small. Similar to the change of the definition for a large/small battery between Rev 4 and Rev 5 the definition of a large/small cell now refers to the gross mass and gives an easier to handle criterion. Definition of Leakage Old: the escape of material from a cell or battery. New: the visible escape of electrolyte or other material from a cell or battery or the loss of material (except battery casing, handling devices or labels) from a cell or battery such that the loss of mass exceeds the values in Table 38.3.1. Mass Loss Limit of Batteries The mass loss limit has been relaxed for cells or batteries with a mass 5 g ≤M ≤ 75 g • Old: 0.1 % • New: 0.2 % Number of Test Samples T.6: The special requirement for ten prismatic cells to be tested for T.6 (as opposed to five for other cells types) has been deleted. It is obsolete with the below mentioned Crush Test. T.8: The test is now explicitly also required for component cells. Thus, now T.6 (as already before) and T.8 are the (only) two tests that need to be performed on cells, if these are directly assembled into batteries and not transported separately. (f): The special relaxed requirement for certain battery assemblies applies only, if they are made up of already successfully tested individual batteries. Relaxed requirements for assemblies made up of already successfully tested cells are not available. No Mass Loss Requirement The explicit “no mass loss” requirement for the tests T.1 to T.4 has been deleted. However, since it is now included in the definition of “Leakage” is will be as valid as before in most cases (see also Definition of Leakage” above). Test T.2 Thermal Test The upper temperature requirement has been relaxed and the specification of the number of cycles has been clarified. • Old: upper temperature 75 °C • New: upper temperature 72 °C • Old: This procedure is to be repeated 10 times • New: This procedure is to be repeated until 10 total cycles are complete Test T.3: Vibration For large batteries (≥ 12 kg) the peak acceleration is relaxed to 2 gn. For all other samples it remains at 8 gn. • Old (for all samples): 8 gn • New (for large batteries only): 2 gn; (for all other samples): 8 gn Tests T.5, T.7 and T.8 Clarification that the requirements (no disassembly, no rupture, no fire) have to be fulfilled also during the test and not just within six hours after the test. Test T.6: Impact/Crush A new Crush test was added replacing the Impact Test for most cells. The Impact Test has been clarified. • Old: Impact test for all samples • New: Impact Test only for cylindrical cells with > 20 mm diameter, Crush Test for all other types of cells • New: Crush Test: max. force of 13 kN between flat surfaces. • New: Impact Test: The bar placed across the sample is now specified to be of type 316 stainless steel The complete Rev 5 of the Manual of Tests and Criteria as well as the Amd 1 are available for free download from the UNECE web page (http://www.unece.org/ More details can be retrieved from the SGS news bulletin: http://newsletter.sgs.com/ About SGS Electrical and Electronics Services SGS, the world’s leader in third party testing, has established procedures to cover a large variety of legal requirements related to your products. The global footprint of SGS will provide electrical and electronics solutions (http://www.sgs.com/ For more information, please contact the SGS experts. Contact details: SGS Consumer Testing Services For US: SGS North America, Inc. Jody Leber t: +1 678 469 9835 For Taiwan: SGS Taiwan Limited Jockey Huang t: +886 2 22993279, 3610 For Germany: SGS Germany GmbH Jochen Beier t: +49 89 787475 320 Email: cts.media@sgs.com Website: http://www.sgs.com/ SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With 70,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,350 offices and laboratories around the world. End
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