1 Scope
This standard specifies the safety requirements of lithium ion cells and batteries used in portable electronic equipment.
This standard is applicable to lithium ion cells and batteries used in portable electronic equipment (hereinafter referred as cells and batteries); examples of portable electronic equipment which belong to this standard are as follows:
a) Portable office products: laptop, PDA, etc.
b) Mobile communication products: cellphone, cordless telephone, Bluetooth earphone, interphone, etc.
c) Portable audio/video products: portable television, portable DVD player, MP3/MP4 player, camera, video camera, recording pen, etc.
d) Other portable products: electronic navigator, digital photo frame, game console, eBook, etc.
Above listed portable electronic equipment do not cover all products; therefore non-listed products are possibly in the scope of this standard.
For lithium ion cells or batteries used for portable electronic equipment at specific occasions such as on the vehicle, ship and plane, and in special fields such as medical treatment, mining and seabed operation, there are possibly additional requirements.
2 Normative References
The following documents are indispensable for the application of this standard. For dated references, only the dated edition is applicable to this document. For undated references, the latest editions of the normative documents (including all the amendments) are applicable to this document.
GB 4943.1 Information Technology Equipment - Safety - Part 1: General Requirements
GB/T 5169.5-2008 Fire Hazard Testing for Electric and Electronic Products - Part 5: Test Flames - Needle Test Method-Apparatus Confirmatory Arrangement and Guidance
GB/T 5330-2003 Industrial Woven Metal Wire Cloth (Square Opening Series)
GB/T 6005-2008 Test Sieves - Metal Wire Cloth, Perforated Metal Plate and Electroformed Sheet - Nominal Sizes of Opening
GB 8898 Audio, Video and Similar Electronic Apparatus-Safety Requirements
GB/T 17626.2 Electromagnetic Compatibility - Testing and Measurement Techniques - Electrostatic Discharge Immunity Test
3 Terms and Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
Lithium ion cell
A device which contains lithium ion and is capable of directly transforming chemical energy into electric energy. The device includes electrode, diaphragm, electrolyte, container, terminal, etc., and is designed as rechargeable.
3.2
Lithium ion battery
An assembly consists of arbitrary amount of lithium ion cells and is ready for use. The assembly includes proper encapsulating materials, connectors and possibly contains electronic control devices.
3.3
Portable electronic equipment
A movable electronic equipment not exceeding 18kg and may be frequently carried by users.
3.4
Hand-held electronic equipment
A portable electronic equipment which requires hand holding in normal use.
Note: for example, cellphone, palmtop computer, palmtop game console, portable video player, etc.
3.5
User replaceable battery
A lithium ion battery which is applied to portable electronic equipment and allows users to replace directly.
3.6
Non-user replaceable cell/battery
A lithium ion cell or lithium ion battery which is built in the portable electronic equipment and does not allow users to replace directly.
3.7
Rated capacity
C
Cell or battery capacity labeled by the manufacturer.
Note: the unit is amperehour (Ah) or milliamp hour (mAh).
3.8
Limited charging voltage
Ucl
The rated maximum charging voltage of the cells or batteries specified by the manufacturer.
Note: for example, the limited charging voltage of a single lithium cobaltate/graphite system cell is 4.20V generally.
3.9
Upper limited charging voltage
Uup
The highest safety charging voltage of the cells or batteries specified by the manufacturer.
Note: for example, the upper limited charging voltage of a single lithium cobaltate/graphite system cell is 4.25V generally.
3.10
Over voltage for charge protection
Ucp
The action voltage of protection circuit specified by the manufacturer during large voltage charging.
3.11
Discharge cut-off voltage
Udo
The load voltage of cells or batteries at discharge off specified by the manufacturer.
3.12
Low voltage for discharge protection
Udp
The action voltage of protection circuit specified by the manufacturer during low voltage discharge.
3.13
Recommendation charging current
Icr
The constant current charging current recommended by the manufacturer.
3.14
Maximum charging current
Icm
The maximum constant current charging current specified by the manufacturer.
3.15
Over current for charge protection
Icp
The action current of protection circuit specified by the manufacturer during large voltage charging.
3.16
Recommendation discharging current
Idr
The continuous discharging current recommended by the manufacturer.
3.17
Maximum discharging current
Idm
The maximum continuous discharging current specified by the manufacturer.
3.18
Over current for discharge protection
Idp
The action current of protection circuit specified by the manufacturer during high-current discharge.
3.19
Upper limited charging temperature
Tcm
The highest environment temperature specified by the manufacturer during cell or battery charging.
Note: the temperature is the environment temperature instead of the surface temperature of cells or batteries.
3.20
Upper limited discharging temperature
Tdm
The highest environment temperature specified by the manufacturer during cell or battery discharging.
Note: the temperature is the environment temperature instead of the surface temperature of cells or batteries.
3.21
Leakage
Leakage of visible liquid electrolyte.
[GB/T 28164-2011, definition 1.3.9]
3.22
Venting
When the internal pressure in cells or batteries increases, the gas is released through predesigned explosion-proof device.
3.23
Rupture
Mechanical damage to cellpacking or battery enclosure caused by internal or external factors, resulting in internal substance exposure or overflow but not jetting out.
[GB/T 28164-2011, definition 1.3.11]
3.24
Fire
Cells or batteries give out flame.
[GB/T 28164-2011, definition 1.3.12]
3.25
Explosion
Fierce rupture of the enclosure of cells or batteries results in main components jetting out.
[GB/T 28164-2011, definition 1.3.13]
3.26
Fire enclosure
Parts used to reduce the spreading of burning or flame to the minimum.
3.27
Type test
The test carried out to representative samples. The purpose is to determine whether the design and manufacturing meets the requirements of this standard.
[GB 4943.1-2011, definition 1.2.13.1]
3.28
Routine test
The test carried out during the manufacturing period or after the manufacturing to each independent product in order to inspect whether it meets relevant criteria.
[GB 4943.1-2011, definition 1.2.13.3]
4 Test Conditions
4.1 Applicability of the Test
The test specified in this standard shall be carried out only when safety is concerned.
The test may not be carried out, if it is not applicable to such cell or battery products that are determined inapplicable in the standard due to restrictions of design, structures or functions. In case restricted by the product design, structure or function and unable to carry out the test to cells or batteries, while the test must be implemented, the electronic equipment, the accessorial chargers of the electronic equipment or partial spare parts which constitute the electronic equipment of the cells or batteries may be subjected to relevant test together with the cells or batteries.
Note: portable electronic equipment and their accessorial chargers or partial spare parts which constitute the electronic equipment are produced by the manufacturer of the cells or batteries or the manufacturer of electronic equipment, and the manufacturer shall provide the operation instructions.
Unless otherwise specified, the samples after the test are not required to be of normal use.
4.2 Environmental Conditions of the Test
Unless otherwise specified, the test is carried out in the following conditions generally:
a) Temperature: 20℃±5℃;
b) Relative humidity: not larger than 75%;
c) Atmospheric pressure: 86 kPa~106 kPa.
4.3 Parameter Measurement Tolerance
Relative to specified values or actual values, the accuracy of all the control values or measured values shall be within the undermentioned tolerance range:
a) Voltage: ±1%;
b) Current: ±1%;
c) Temperature: ±2℃;
d) Time: ±0.1%;
e) Capacity: ±1%.
f) Rotate speed:±1％
The above tolerances include the accuracy of measuring instruments used, errors of the adopted testing method and all the other errors introduced in the testing process. See GB/T 7676 for the selection of analog instruments; see IEC 60485 for the selection of digital instruments. In every copy of report which records the results, the details of test equipment used shall be provided.
4.4 Temperature Measurement Method
Adopt thermocouple method to measure the surface temperature of cells or batteries. The temperature testing points shall be located on the surface of geometrical center of cells or batteries or side contact point and other positions, and select the temperature peak point as the judgment reference of the test.
4.5 Charge/Discharge Procedure Used for the Testing
4.5.1 Charging procedure used for the testing
Cells or batteries shall be subjected to charging according to the method specified by the manufacturer.
Note: before charging, the cells or batteries shall discharge according to the method specified by the manufacturer to discharge cut-off voltage.
4.5.2 Discharging procedure used for the testing
Cells or batteries shall be subjected to constant current discharge according to the current specified by the manufacturer to discharge cut-off voltage.
4.6 Simulated Faults or Abnormal Operating Conditions
If applying simulated faults or abnormal operating conditions is required, then the application shall be carried out in turn, simulate one fault at a time. The fault directly caused by simulated faults or abnormal operating conditions is regarded as part of simulated faults or abnormal operating conditions.
When a certain single fault is set, this single fault includes the fault of any component.
The circuit board, circuit diagram and component specifications shall be inspected to determine possible fault condition which may be reasonably predicted. For example:
——Short circuit and open circuit of semiconductor devices;
——Short circuit and open circuit of capacitors;
——Short circuit and open circuit of current-limiting devices;
——Short circuit and open circuit of voltage limiting devices;
——Internal fault which makes the integrated circuit form excessive power consumption.
4.7 Type Test
Unless otherwise stated, the tests specified in this standard are type tests.
4.7.1 Requirements on samples
Unless otherwise specified, the tested sample shall be representative samples of the products that the client is about to accept, including small batch of pilot production samples or products which are ready to be delivered to the client.
In case the test requires lead wire for testing or connection, the total resistance generated by lead wire testing or connection shall be less than 20mΩ.
4.7.2 Quantity of samples
Unless otherwise stated, the number of samples in each test item is 3.
4.7.3 Cell sample capacity testing
The practical capacity of the cell sample shall be larger than or equal to its rated capacity, otherwise it is incapable of being the typical sample of type test.
Charge the cell according to the charging procedure specified in 4.5.1 first, lay aside for 10min, and then discharge according to the discharging procedure specified in 4.5.2. The provided capacity during the discharge is the practical capacity of the cell.
When disagreement is raised to the capacity testing result, the environment temperature of 23℃±2℃ may serve as arbitration condition for retesting.
4.7.4 Preprocessing of samples
Cells or batteries shall be subjected to two charge/discharge cycles according to the charge/discharge procedure specified in 4.5, and lay aside for 10min at the interval of charge/discharge procedures.
Note: cell samples may be subjected to capacity testing simultaneously.
4.7.5 Test item
Table 1 is the type test items of cells; the Arabic numerals in the column "sample" refer to test sample No.
Table 1 Type Tests of Cells
Item Chapter and clause number of this standard Test content Sample
Test conditions 4.7.3 Cell capacity testing All
4.7.4 Preprocessing of samples All
General safety requirements a 5.2 Safe operation parameters —
5.3.1 Label requirements
Electric safety test for cells 6.1 External short circuit at normal temperature 1~3
6.2 External short circuit at high temperature 4~6
6.3 Overcharge 7~9
6.4 Forced discharge 10~12
Cell environment test 7.1 Low atmospheric pressure 4~6
7.2 Temperature cycle 4~6
7.3 Vibration 4~6
7.4 Acceleration impact 4~6
7.5 Fall 13~15
7.6 Extrusion 16~18
7.7 Impact with heavy objects 19~21
7.8 Heat misuse 22~24
7.9 Burning and jetting 25~27
a Carry out inspections and tests to labels, instructions, materials, etc. provided by the manufacturer.
Table 2 is the type test items of batteries; the Arabic numerals in the column "sample" refer to test sample No.
Table 2 Type Tests of Batteries
Item Chapter and clause number of this standard Test content Sample
Test conditions 4.7.4 Preprocessing of samples All
General safety requirements a 5.2 Safe operation parameters —
5.3.1 Label requirements
5.3.2 Caution explanations
5.3.3 Durability
Battery environment test 8.1 Low atmospheric pressure 1~3
8.2 Temperature cycle 1~3
8.3 Vibration 1~3
8.4 Acceleration impact 1~3
8.5 Fall 4~6
8.6 Stress relief 7~9
8.7 High temperature service 10~12
8.8 Washing See 8.8
8.9 Inflaming retarding requirements See 8.9
Electric Safety Test for Batteries 9.2 Over Voltage Charge 13~15
9.3 Over Current Charge 16~18
9.4 Low Voltage Discharge 19~21
9.5 Over Load 22~24
9.6 Short Circuit 25~27
9.7 Reverse Charge 28~30
10.8 Electrostatic Discharge 31~33
a Carry out inspections and tests to labels, instructions, materials, etc. provided by the manufacturer.
Non-user replaceable cells shall be installed into the electronic equipment and be subjected to the testing of Chapter 8 in this standard as a whole sample; non-user replaceable batteries may be placed in the electronic equipment and be subjected to the testing of Chapter 8 in this standard as a whole sample.
Batteries which have protection circuit possibly require the tests as shown in Table 3.
Table 3 Type Tests of Protection Circuit
Item Chapter and clause number of this standard Test content Sample
\Safety Requirements of Protection Circuit for Batteries 10.2 Over Voltage Charge Protection Use 1 sample for every item of test
10.3 Over Current Charge Protection
10.4 Low Voltage Discharge Protection
10.5 Over Load Protection
10.6 Short Circuit Protection
10.7 High Voltage Proof
10.8 Electrostatic Discharge
Batteries or cells which do not have protection circuits but have protection circuit in their chargers or electronic equipment that they power shall be subjected to the tests as shown in Table 4.
Table 4 Type Tests of System Protection Circuit
Item Chapter and clause number of this standard Test content Sample
Safety Requirements of System Protection Circuit 11.2 Charging Voltage Control The sample is at least 1 electronic equipment or its control part powered by the cell or battery
11.3 Charging Current Control
11.4 Discharging Voltage Control
11.5 Discharging Current Control
11.6 Temperature Control for Charge/Discharge
Cells or batteries consist of multilevel serial connections shall still meet the requirements of consistency of Chapter 12.
4.7.6 Test sequence
See Appendix C for the test sequence of cells and batteries.
4.7.7 Test criteria
Only if the tested samples of a certain item of test are all qualified in the test, this item of test may be judged as qualified.
5 General Safety Requirements
5.1 General Safety Consideration
The safety of cells and batteries shall be considered in two kinds of application conditions:
a) Intended use;
b) Reasonably foreseeable misuse.
5.2 Safe Operation Parameters
In order to guarantee the use safety of cells and batteries in different conditions, their safe operation conditions shall be specified, including parameters such as temperature range, voltage range and current range. Due to cell material system and structural differences, its safe operation parameter values are possibly different.
Note: see Appendix D for the example of working range of lithium cobaltate-graphite system cells.
The manufacturer shall at least indicate the information in Table 5 in the specification.
Table 5 Minimum Information Indicated in the Specification
Safe operation parameters Symbol Cell Battery
Limited charging voltage Ucl √ √
Upper limited charging voltage Uup √ √
Discharge cut-off voltage Udo √ √
Recommendation charging current Icr √ √
Maximum charging current Icm √ √
Recommendation discharging current Idr √ √
Maximum discharging current Idm √ √
Over voltage for charge protection Ucp — √
Over current for charge protection Icp — √
Low voltage for discharge protection Udp — √
Over current for discharge protection Idp — √
Upper limited charging temperature Tcm √ √
Upper limited discharging temperature Tdm √ √
Note: "√" in this table are mandatory, "-" are optional.
5.3 Label and Caution Explanations
5.3.1 Label requirements
Chinese shall be used to indicate the following items as a minimum:
a) Product name and model;
b) Rated capacity and limited charging voltage;
c) Use "positive, negative" type style, "+, -" symbols or different colors (for example, red and black) to indicate positive and negative polarities;
d) Manufacturer or trademark.
For batteries, the above items shall be indicated on the battery bodies; for the products that are capable of structurally guaranteeing users unable to misplug in any service conditions, it is allowed not to mark the polarity.
For cells, the rated capacity, model, positive and negative polarities must be indicated on the bodies; the rest marks are allowed to be indicated on packages or instructions. However, if the manufacturer and the users have reached an agreement, the cells which are used for assembling batteries may not be marked.
5.3.2 Caution explanations
The battery bodies or minimum packages shall be provided with Chinese caution explanations, for example:
It is forbidden to dismantle, impact, extrude or put into fire.
Please stop using in case serious bloating occurs.
Please don't put into high temperature environment.
Note: when batteries are sold separately, the minimum package refers to the minimum package of batteries; when batteries and electronic equipment are sold together, the minimum package may be the minimum package of the electronic equipment.
5.3.3 Durability
The labels and caution explanations on battery bodies shall be distinct and distinguishable.
Any labels and caution explanations required by this standard on the battery bodies shall be durable and eye-catching. When its durability is considered, the influence to it during normal use shall be also considered.
Find out whether labels and caution explanations are qualified through inspections and wiping. When wiping the labels and caution explanations, wipe with a piece of wet cotton cloth by hand for 15s, and then wipe with a piece of cotton cloth which has 75% surgical spirit by hand for 15s. After the test, the labels and caution explanations shall still be distinct; the nameplate shall not be easily taken off and shall be free from curling.
Note: this article is only applicable to user replaceable batteries.
5.4 Safety Critical Components
5.4.1 Basic requirements
Where safety is involved, components in cells, batteries and protection circuits such as positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermal resistor and thermal cutoff shall meet the requirements of this standard, or meet the safety-related requirements in national and professional standards or other specifications related to components.
Note: only if a certain component obviously belongs to the national and professional standards of a certain component or other application scopes, the standard may be considered as relevant.
5.4.2 Evaluation and test of components
The evaluation and test of components shall be carried out according to the following requirements:
a) When a component is verified conforming to a certain standard in coordination with the national and professional standards or other specifications related to the component, this component shall be inspected to see whether it is correctly applied and used according to its rated value. This component shall serve as a constituent part of the cell, battery or protection circuit and be subjected to relevant test specified in this standard but not be subjected to that part of tests specified in the national and professional standards or other specifications of the component;
b) When a component is not verified to see whether it meets relevant standards as stated above, the component shall be inspected to see whether it is correctly applied and used according to the specified rated value. This component shall serve as a constituent part of the cell, battery or protection circuit and be subjected to relevant tests specified in this standard, and shall be subjected to relevant tests specified by the component standard according to the actual situation of the cell, battery or protection circuit;
Note: in order to inspect whether components meet the standard of some component, generally components are subjected to relevant tests separately.
c) If a certain component does not have corresponding national and professional standards or other specifications, or components are not used according to their specified rated values in circuits, then components shall be subjected to tests according to the actual situation of the cell, battery or protection circuit. The sample quantity required by the test is generally the same as the quantity required by the equivalent standard.
Foreword i
Introduction ii
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 Test Conditions
4.1 Applicability of the Test
4.2 Environmental Conditions of the Test
4.3 Parameter Measurement Tolerance
4.4 Temperature Measurement Method
4.5 Charge/Discharge Procedure Used for the Testing
4.6 Simulated Faults or Abnormal Operating Conditions
4.7 Type Test
5 General Safety Requirements
5.1 General Safety Consideration
5.2 Safe Operation Parameters
5.3 Label and Caution Explanations
5.4 Safety Critical Components
6 Electric Safety Test for Cells
6.1 External Short Circuit at Normal Temperature
6.2 External Short Circuit at High Temperature
6.3 Overcharge
6.4 Forced Discharge
7 Cell Safe Environment Test
7.1 Low Atmospheric Pressure
7.2 Temperature Cycle
7.3 Vibration
7.4 Acceleration Impact
7.5 Fall
7.6 Extrusion
7.7 Impact with Heavy Objects
7.8 Heat Misuse
7.9 Burning and Jetting
8 Battery Environment Safety Test
8.1 Low Atmospheric Pressure
8.2 Temperature Cycle
8.3 Vibration
8.4 Acceleration Impact
8.5 Fall
8.6 Stress Relief
8.7 High Temperature Service
8.8 Washing
8.9 Inflaming Retarding Requirements
9 Electric Safety Test for Batteries
9.1 General
9.2 Over Voltage Charge
9.3 Over Current Charge
9.4 Low Voltage Discharge
9.5 Over Load
9.6 External Short Circuit
9.7 Reverse Charge
9.8 Electrostatic Discharge
10 Safety Requirements of Protection Circuit for Batteries
10.1 General
10.2 Over Voltage Charge Protection
10.3 Over Current Charge Protection
10.4 Low Voltage Discharge Protection
10.5 Over Load Protection
10.6 Short Circuit Protection
10.7 High Voltage Proof
11 Safety Requirements of System Protection Circuit
11.1 General
11.2 Charging Voltage Control
11.3 Charging Current Control
11.4 Discharging Voltage Control
11.5 Discharging Current Control
11.6 Temperature Control for Charge/Discharge
12 Requirements for Consistency
12.1 General requirements
12.2 Test Requirements
Appendix A (Informative) Example for Requirements of Quality Control Procedure
Appendix B (Informative) Design and Manufacturing Process
Appendix C (Normative) Test Sequence
Appendix D (Informative) Example for Operating Range of Lithium Cobaltate-Graphite System Cells
Appendix E (Normative) Test Equipment and Measuring Instrument
Appendix F (Normative) Washing Test
Appendix G (Normative) Method of Flame Retardance Test for Lead Wires
Bibliography
