UN 38.3 Environmental Testing For Lithium Battery
As a dangerous product, lithium batteries need to be safely transported in strict compliance with relevant regulations and standards. Section 38.3 of the United Nations Manual of Tests and Standards (UN 38.3) sets out a series of testing and packaging requirements that lithium batteries should meet during transport to ensure that there are no safety hazards during transport. In addition, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) have also formulated corresponding domestic and foreign regulations for the transportation of lithium batteries.
In the United States, for example, the Department of Transportation has established regulations for the transportation of lithium batteries within the United States under 49 CFR Sections 100 to 185. These regulations require that before the lithium battery is transported, the battery must be strictly tested and the corresponding packaging measures must be taken to reduce the risk of fire, explosion and other safety accidents caused by the battery during transportation.
The test sample battery or module battery should be placed on a flat, smooth surface.
A Type 316 stainless steel bar with a diameter of 15.8 mm +/- 0.1 mm and a length of at least 6 cm or the longest size of the battery (whichever is greater) should be placed in the center of the sample. A 9.1 kg +/- 0.1 kg object should be dropped in a controlled manner from a height of 61 +/- 2.5 cm to the intersection of the rod and sample, using almost frictionless vertical chutes or channels that minimize resistance to the falling object. The vertical track or channel used to guide the falling object should be at a 90 degree Angle to the horizontal support surface.
The vertical axis of the test sample should be parallel to the plane and perpendicular to the vertical axis of a surface with a diameter of 15.8 mm +/- 0.1 mm located at the center of the test sample. Each sample only needs to withstand one impact.
Extruded (for square, soft packs, coin/button batteries and cylindrical batteries less than 18.0 mm in diameter)
Squeeze the battery or component battery between two planes. Extrusion should be done gradually, with a speed of about 1.5 cm/s at the first contact point. Extrusion should continue until the first of the following three options is reached:
a - The applied force reaches 13 kN +/ -0.78 kN; (For example, a 32 mm diameter piston should be used to apply force until the pressure on the hydraulic cylinder reaches 17 MPa.)
b - The battery voltage drops by at least 100 mV; or
C- Cells deform to 50% or more of their original thickness. Once the maximum pressure is reached, the voltage drops by 100 mV or more, or the cell is deformed to at least 50% of its original thickness, the pressure should be released.
Square or soft-pack batteries should be crushed by applying force to the widest side. The button/coin battery should be crushed by applying force to its flat surface.
For cylindrical batteries, extrusion pressure should be applied perpendicular to the vertical axis.
Each test cell or module cell only needs to withstand one squeeze. The test sample should be observed for another 6 hours. Tests should be performed using test batteries or module batteries that have not been previously tested for other purposes.
a - When the manufacturer's recommended charging voltage does not exceed 18 V, the minimum voltage tested should be twice the battery's maximum charging voltage or the lesser of 22 V. b
- When the manufacturer's recommended charging voltage is greater than 18 V, the minimum voltage tested shall be 1.2 times the maximum charging voltage.
The test should be performed at ambient temperature. The duration of the test is 24 hours.
The specified discharge current is obtained by placing an appropriately sized and rated resistive load in series with the test cell. The interval (in hours) at which each battery should be forced to discharge, equal to its rated capacity divided by the initial test current (in amps).
In accordance with the requirements of Section 38.3, cells and battery packs are subject to specific tests according to their type, as follows:
If you need more information about UN 38.3 testing or would like professional technical support, please feel free to contact us. JOEO has extensive experience in UN 38.3 testing, and our team will fully support your business needs with professional, efficient and enthusiastic service to ensure that your products can be shipped safely and quickly.
In the United States, for example, the Department of Transportation has established regulations for the transportation of lithium batteries within the United States under 49 CFR Sections 100 to 185. These regulations require that before the lithium battery is transported, the battery must be strictly tested and the corresponding packaging measures must be taken to reduce the risk of fire, explosion and other safety accidents caused by the battery during transportation.
Type of UN 38.3 Environmental Testing
1.Altitude simulation test
Test batteries and accumulators should be stored at ambient temperature (20±5 ° C) at a pressure of 11.6 kPa or less for at least 6 hours.2.Thermal test
The test cells and batteries should be stored at a test temperature equal to 72±2°C for at least 6 hours and then at a test temperature equal to -40 ±2°C for at least 6 hours. The maximum interval between test temperature extremes is 30 minutes. This process will be repeated for 10 cycles and then all test cells and batteries will be kept at ambient temperature (20±5°C) for 24 hours. For large batteries and batteries, the duration of exposure to extreme test temperatures should be at least 12 hours.3.Vibration testing
Test simulated vibration during transportation. The test is sinusoidal scan: 7Hz-200Hz-7Hz within 15 minutes; 12 scans (3 hours); 3 axes perpendicular to each other.4.Shock test
The tests also simulated vibration during transportation. The test is half sinusoidal pulse: 150G/6ms for small cell/battery pack; The large battery/battery pack is 50G/11ms; 3 pulses in each direction; 6 directions (+/-2, +/-x, +/-y).5.External short circuit
The cell or battery to be measured should be temperature stable, so that its shell temperature reaches 55±2°C, and then at 55±2°C, the cell or battery should be in a short-circuit state with a total external resistance of less than 0.1 ohms. After the temperature of the battery or battery case is restored to 55±2 ° C, the short circuit lasts for at least one hour.6.Impact/extrusion
Impact (for cylindrical batteries with a diameter of not less than 18.0mm)The test sample battery or module battery should be placed on a flat, smooth surface.
A Type 316 stainless steel bar with a diameter of 15.8 mm +/- 0.1 mm and a length of at least 6 cm or the longest size of the battery (whichever is greater) should be placed in the center of the sample. A 9.1 kg +/- 0.1 kg object should be dropped in a controlled manner from a height of 61 +/- 2.5 cm to the intersection of the rod and sample, using almost frictionless vertical chutes or channels that minimize resistance to the falling object. The vertical track or channel used to guide the falling object should be at a 90 degree Angle to the horizontal support surface.
The vertical axis of the test sample should be parallel to the plane and perpendicular to the vertical axis of a surface with a diameter of 15.8 mm +/- 0.1 mm located at the center of the test sample. Each sample only needs to withstand one impact.
Extruded (for square, soft packs, coin/button batteries and cylindrical batteries less than 18.0 mm in diameter)
Squeeze the battery or component battery between two planes. Extrusion should be done gradually, with a speed of about 1.5 cm/s at the first contact point. Extrusion should continue until the first of the following three options is reached:
a - The applied force reaches 13 kN +/ -0.78 kN; (For example, a 32 mm diameter piston should be used to apply force until the pressure on the hydraulic cylinder reaches 17 MPa.)
b - The battery voltage drops by at least 100 mV; or
C- Cells deform to 50% or more of their original thickness. Once the maximum pressure is reached, the voltage drops by 100 mV or more, or the cell is deformed to at least 50% of its original thickness, the pressure should be released.
Square or soft-pack batteries should be crushed by applying force to the widest side. The button/coin battery should be crushed by applying force to its flat surface.
For cylindrical batteries, extrusion pressure should be applied perpendicular to the vertical axis.
Each test cell or module cell only needs to withstand one squeeze. The test sample should be observed for another 6 hours. Tests should be performed using test batteries or module batteries that have not been previously tested for other purposes.
7.Overcharging
The charging current should be twice the maximum continuous charging current recommended by the manufacturer. The minimum voltage tested should be as follows:a - When the manufacturer's recommended charging voltage does not exceed 18 V, the minimum voltage tested should be twice the battery's maximum charging voltage or the lesser of 22 V. b
- When the manufacturer's recommended charging voltage is greater than 18 V, the minimum voltage tested shall be 1.2 times the maximum charging voltage.
The test should be performed at ambient temperature. The duration of the test is 24 hours.
8.Forced discharge
Each battery should be forced to discharge at ambient temperature by connecting it in series with a 12V DC supply with an initial current equal to the maximum discharge current specified by the manufacturer.The specified discharge current is obtained by placing an appropriately sized and rated resistive load in series with the test cell. The interval (in hours) at which each battery should be forced to discharge, equal to its rated capacity divided by the initial test current (in amps).
In accordance with the requirements of Section 38.3, cells and battery packs are subject to specific tests according to their type, as follows:
- All types of batteries are subject to tests 1 to 6, and tests 8.
- All types of non-rechargeable batteries, including those with previously tested cells, should undergo tests 1 to 5.
- All types of rechargeable batteries, including those with previously tested cells, are subject to tests 1 to 5 and tests 7.
- Single rechargeable batteries with overcharge protection should also be tested in accordance with test 7.
- Module cells shipped separately from the battery pack should be tested as one cell.
- Battery assemblies that are not shipped separately from the battery pack are only subject to tests 6 and 8.
If you need more information about UN 38.3 testing or would like professional technical support, please feel free to contact us. JOEO has extensive experience in UN 38.3 testing, and our team will fully support your business needs with professional, efficient and enthusiastic service to ensure that your products can be shipped safely and quickly.
