Battery Test Methods and Specifications

Published standards by UL, IEC, and SAE specify environmental tests like: short circuit while hot, heat resistance, temperature cycling, and thermal abuse. Because failure of these tests can produce hazardous results, the test chambers will require proper safety features and considerations.

Test standards for secondary lithium ion battery cells or modules:

UL 1642 - Standard for Lithium Batteries

• Short circuit test at 60°C; heating test: 5°C/m to 150°C — Industrial Ovens
• Temp cycling: 70 to 20 to -40 °C (30 min. transitions) — Benchtop or Temp&Humi Chamber

UL 2054 - Household and Commercial Batteries

• Mold stress relief test at 70°C; heating test: 5°C/m to 150°C — Industrial Ovens
• Temp cycling: 70 to 20 to -40 °C (30 min. transitions) — TC Chamber

IEC 62133 - Safety requirements for portable sealed secondary cells

• Short circuit test at 55°C; mold stress relief test at 70°C; thermal abuse: ramp at 5°C/m to 130°C — Industrial Ovens
• Temp cycling: 75 to 20 to -20°C (30 min. transitions) — Benchtop or Temp&Humi Chamber

SAE J2464 - Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicle Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS)

• Thermal stability: Increasing temperature in 5°C increments — Industrial Ovens
• Thermal shock test: 70 to -40°C (15 min. transitions) — TC Chamber or Thermal Shock

IEC 61960 - Secondary lithium cells and batteries for portable applications

• Discharge performance at 20°C and -20°C — Benchtop or Temp&Humi Chamber

IEC 62660-2 - Secondary lithium-ion cells for the propulsion of electric road vehicles - Part 2: Reliability and abuse testing

• Thermal test: 5°C/m to 130°C — Industrial Ovens
• Temperature cycling: 85 to -40°C at ~1°C/m (or 65 to -20°C with electrical operation) — Benchtop or Temp&Humi Chamber
• Capacity discharge test: -20, 0, 25, and 45°C — Benchtop or Temp&Humi Chamber

UN/DOT 38.3 - UN Manual of Tests and Criteria 4th Revised Edition Lithium Battery Testing Requirements

• Temp cycling: 75 to -40 °C (30 min. transitions) — TC Chamber