Chilworth Dekra is a leading entity in providing battery safety testing services. We can test your product to various safety and regulatory standards, including IEC 62133 and UN 38.3. Our battery safety testing laboratory is IEECE CB approved and we are a Certification Body (CB) in the CB scheme.
IEC 62133
IEC 62133 is an International Standard that specifies requirements and tests for the safe operation of portable sealed secondary cells and batteries (other than button) containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolyte, under intended use and reasonably foreseeable misuse. Effective May 1, 2012, all batteries classified as secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes for use in portable applications must be tested and certified to IEC 62133.
IEC 62133 is the most important standard for exporting Lithium-Ion batteries, including those used in IT equipment, tools, laboratory, household and medical equipment. The various tests including the acceptance criteria requirements are provided in the Table below:
IEC 62133 – Tests List
| Tests | Acceptance |
|---|---|
| Insulation resistance test: | Insulation resistance > 5 MΩ at 500 Vdc |
| Charging test: | |
| Intended use | |
| Continuous low-rate charging: | Nickel system: No fire, no explosion. Lithium systems: No fire, no explosion, no leakage |
| Vibration test: | No explosion, No leakage |
| Moulded case stress at high ambient temperature: | No physical distortion of the battery case resulting in exposure of internal component |
| Temperature cycling: | No fire, no explosion, no leakage |
| Reasonably foreseeable misuse | |
| Incorrect installation of a cell (nickel systems only): | No fire, no explosion |
| External short circuit: | No fire, no explosion |
| Free fall: | No fire, no explosion |
| Mechanical shock (crash hazard): | No fire, no explosion, no leakage |
| Thermal abuse: | No fire, no explosion |
| Crushing of cells: | No fire, no explosion |
| Low pressure: | No explosion, no leakage |
| Overcharge for nickel systems: | No fire, no explosion |
| Overcharge for lithium systems: | No fire, no explosion |
| Forced discharge: | No fire, no explosion |
| Cell protection against a high charging rate (lithium system only): | No fire, no explosion |
UN Transportation Testing (UN/DOT 38.3)
In the United States, lithium primary and rechargeable cells and batteries are regulated in accordance by Part 49 Code of Federal Regulations of the Hazardous Materials Regulations. Under the HMR, 49 CFR parts 171-180, most lithium batteries and equipment packed with lithium batteries are regulated as Class 9 materials. For shipping of lithium batteries, most of them have to pass the testing requirements of Part III, sub-section 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria. The various tests including the acceptance criteria requirements are provided in the Table below:
UN/DOT 38.3 – Requirements and Tests List
| Tests | Acceptance |
|---|---|
| T1 – Altitude Simulation (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries) - Simulates reduces pressure condition in unpressurised cargo aircraft | No mass loss, leaking, venting, disassembly, rupture or fire. If open circuit voltage remains 90% or higher |
| T2 – Thermal Test (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries) - Simulate extreme temperature changes | No mass loss, leaking, venting, disassembly, rupture or fire. If open circuit voltage remains 90% or higher |
| T3 – Vibration (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries) - Simulates vibration during transportation | No mass loss, leaking, venting, disassembly, rupture or fire. If open circuit voltage remains 90% or higher |
| T4 – Shock (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries) - Simulated drops in transportation | No mass loss, leaking, venting, disassembly, rupture or fire. If open circuit voltage remains 90% or higher |
| T5 – External Short Circuit (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries) - Simulated external short to cells and battery | Case temperature does not exceed 170oC No disassembly, rupture or fire within 6 hrs |
| T6 – Impact (Primary and Secondary Cells) - Simulates impact to cell case | Case temperature does not exceed 170oC No disassembly, or fire within 6 hrs |
| T7 – Overcharge (Secondary Batteries) - Simulates overcharge condition in a secondary battery | No disassembly or fire within 7 days of testing |
| T8 – Forced Discharge (Primary and Secondary Cells) - Simulates a forced discharge condition | No disassembly or fire within 7 days of testing |