Transcript UN Li Battery Tests 1985 – 2013

UN Lithium Battery Tests
1985 - 2013
George A. Kerchner
PRBA – The Rechargeable Battery Association
1776 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
202.719.4109
[email protected]
1985 ICAO Packing Instructions*
* Similar entries in IMDG Code
1985 ICAO Packing Instructions*
* IMDG Code had similar requirements but limits
batteries to 500 g Li metal
1985 ICAO Packing Instructions*
 Tests in Packing Instruction 406 included following tests:
- Thermal
- Altitude
- Shock
- Short circuit
- Vibration
* Same requirements in IMDG Code
1989 – 1990
 December 1990, UN Sub-Committee Meeting
• Canada proposes series of tests for lithium batteries
• No reference to origin of tests
• Passing tests authorizes classification of batteries as Class 9
dangerous goods
1991 – 1992
 July 1992 proposal from U.S. and Canada
– Special Provision 188
• Exception for “small” batteries, no UN testing required
• Exception for “medium” batteries, provided UN tests
conducted
– Special Provision 230
• Applies to larger batteries; UN testing required
• Battery may not contain more than 500 g Li metal
– Meeting report notes UN tests generally consistent with new IEC
standard; new ISO standard also being developed
1991 – 1992
 December 1992, UN Committee adopts new UN tests and
Special Provisions
 New definitions but no distinction made between small and
large lithium batteries
 Shock test references IEC standard 68-2-27
 “… applicable to components, equipments and other electrotechnical
products.”
 New tests and definitions effective January 1995
– Section 38.3, Second Revised Edition of UN Manual
1997 – 1998
 Significant activity and participation by Sub-Committee
members and industry
– Germany, Canada, U.S. , France, IEC, PRBA, NEMA, EPBA and
BAJ
– Emphasis on Lithium ion battery technology and need to distinguish
between large and small lithium batteries
 Germany proposes change to shock test
– Notes shock tests simulating auto accidents typically range up to 40 g
peak
1997 – 1998
 Agree to modify UN tests to account for lithium ion technology
 Equivalent lithium content introduced in Model Regulations
 New definitions for Large and Small Cells and Batteries
 Large battery: aggregate lithium content > 500 g
 No exception for battery assemblies over 500 g lithium content
 Shock test
 Small cells and batteries, test unchanged (75 g and 125 g to
175 g)
 New test criteria for Large cells and batteries - subject to 50 g
 Test still references IEC 68-2-27
 New tests and definition effective January 2001
– Section 38.3, Third Revised Edition of UN Manual
1999 – 2000
 Canada and Germany again raise question about testing large
EV batteries
 “Modules” as batteries first mentioned
 March 1999 lithium metal battery incident at LAX airport
 March 2000, Intercessional WG meeting held in Ottawa
 December 2000, UN agrees to substantial changes to lithium
battery tests
– Require testing of all cells and batteries (i.e., “small” cells and
batteries no longer exempt from testing)
1999 – 2000
 Shock test changed to require 150 g for Small cells and
batteries and 50 g for Large cells and batteries
 Exemption from testing adopted for battery assemblies
containing over 500 g lithium content based on U.S. and
Japan proposal
 New tests and definitions effective January 2003
• Section 38.3, Amendment 1, Third Revised Edition of UN
Manual
2005 – 2006
 PRBA proposals adopted
– New entries in Model Regulations for Lithium ion batteries to
distinguish from Lithium metal batteries
– Regulate Lithium ion batteries based on Watt-hours instead of
equivalent lithium content (ELC)
• 20 Wh replaces 1.5 g ELC for cells
• 100 Wh replaces 8 g ELC for batteries
• 6200 Wh replaces 500 g ELC for battery assemblies
 Applicable changes made to UN Manual
 New tests and definitions effective January 2009
– Section 38.3, Amendment 2, Fourth Revised Edition of UN Manual
2007 – 2008
 July 2008, PRBA proposal adopted eliminating testing of
discharged lithium ion cells/batteries
 November 2008, PRBA hosts working group meeting on UN
lithium battery tests
 December 2008, PRBA proposals adopted
– Testing one battery assembly < 6200 Wh
– Exemption from the overcharge test for batteries not equipped with
overcharge protection designed for use only in battery assembly (with
overcharge protection)
– “Large battery” definition changed from > 500 g Li content / 6200 Wh
to gross mass > 12 kg
 New tests and definitions effective January 2011
- Section 38.3, Fifth Revised Edition of UN Manual
2009 – 2010
 Working group meetings held in Paris, Kyoto and Washington,
DC
 December 2010, UN adopts changes to UN tests and definitions
focused primarily on small cells and batteries
 Vibration test for large batteries changed
 Peak acceleration reduced from 8 g to 2 g
 New tests and definitions effective January 2013
 Section 38.3, Amendment 1, Fifth Revised Edition of UN Manual
Section 1.1.2 of UN Manual of Tests
and Criteria
 The competent authority has discretion to dispense with certain
tests, to vary the details of tests, and to require additional tests
when this is justified to obtain a reliable and realistic
assessment of the hazard of a product.
 How is this used by competent authorities?
• Does it authorize modifications to UN tests?
 Are such approvals recognized internationally?