IEC 60086-4 is a standard established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), officially known as "Primary batteries - Part 4: Safety requirements for lithium batteries." This standard specifies the safety testing and requirements for primary lithium batteries to ensure their safe operation during intended use and foreseeable misuse. It applies to both standardized and non-standardized primary lithium batteries and includes provisions for battery design, quality planning, sampling, testing, and requirements, as well as safety warnings.
The IEC 60086-4:2019 edition was published on April 25, 2019, replacing the fourth edition from 2014. This version includes technical revisions, such as modifications to the explosion criteria, the addition of parameters for over-discharge testing of certain battery types, the introduction of sub-clauses for testing validity, the revision of symbols in figures, the addition of requirements for child-resistant packaging of coin batteries, and the recommendation for the use of the safety warning "KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN." Additionally, the content of the errata from October 2019 and April 2020, as well as the interpretation sheet from May 2020, has been incorporated into this version.
This standard is crucial for lithium battery manufacturers, users, and organizations involved in the safety regulation of lithium batteries to ensure the safety and reliability of battery products.
The IEC 60086-4 standard specifies safety testing and requirements for primary lithium batteries to ensure their safe operation during intended use and foreseeable misuse. Here are some specific testing requirements for lithium batteries in the standard:
Altitude simulation test: Tests the battery's response under simulated high-altitude conditions.
Thermal cycling test: The battery is subjected to cycles of high and low temperatures to detect its stability under extreme temperature changes.
Vibration test: Simulates the vibrations that may be encountered during transportation or use to ensure the structural integrity of the battery.
Sock test: Tests the battery's tolerance to mechanical shocks.
External short-circuit test: Examines the safety performance of the battery under external short-circuit conditions.
Impact test: Tests the battery's tolerance to impacts.
Crush test: Simulates extreme conditions where the battery is subjected to crushing.
Forced discharge test: Examines the battery's reaction under forced discharge conditions.
Abnormal charging test: Assesses the safety performance of the battery under incorrect charging conditions.
Free fall test: Tests the safety of the battery after free-falling from a certain height.
Thermal abuse test: Evaluates the safety performance of the battery under overheating conditions.
Overdischarge test: Examines the battery's performance under overdischarge conditions.
These tests are designed to ensure the safety of lithium batteries during their design, production, distribution, use, and disposal. The IEC 60086-4:2019 version also includes technical changes such as revisions to explosion criteria, the addition of overdischarge test parameters, the introduction of a subclause on testing validity, and the revision and addition of safety markings. These testing requirements help to enhance the safety and reliability of battery products.
In addition to the IEC 60086-4 standard, international standards or industry standards for lithium battery testing also include:
UL 1642: This is a safety standard for lithium batteries established by Underwriter Laboratories Inc., covering safety requirements for lithium batteries, including battery construction, testing methods, and classification.
UL 2580: This is a safety requirement for electric vehicle power batteries, including testing methods and safety performance requirements for batteries.
UL 9540A: This is a safety requirement for energy storage systems, including testing methods and safety performance requirements for energy storage batteries.
UL 1973: This is a safety standard for batteries used in stationary and mobile auxiliary power supply applications.
ISO 12405: This is a series of test specifications for lithium-ion traction battery packs and systems for electric road vehicles, including high-power and high-energy battery systems for different applications.
IEC 62660: This is a series of standards for the performance testing, reliability, and abuse testing, as well as safety requirements for secondary lithium batteries used in electric road vehicles.
IEC 62619: This is a safety requirement for secondary lithium cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes used in industrial applications.
IEC 63056: This is a safety requirement for secondary lithium cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes used in electrical energy storage systems.
SAE J2929: This is a safety standard for electric and hybrid vehicle propulsion battery systems that use lithium-based rechargeable batteries, established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
These standards cover safety testing from individual battery cells to battery systems, including mechanical tests (such as drop, vibration, impact, crush, and puncture), electrical tests (such as external short circuit, overcharge, and over-discharge), environmental tests (such as temperature shock, humidity cycle, immersion, and salt spray), and thermal runaway propagation tests. These tests are designed to assess the battery's response under extreme conditions, ensuring its safety performance during intended use and possible misuse.
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