IEC 60086-4:2014

IEC 60086-4 ®
Edition 4.0 2014-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Primary batteries –
Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries

Piles électriques –
Partie 4: Sécurité des piles au lithium

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form

or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or

your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite
ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie

et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'IEC ou du Comité national de l'IEC du pays du demandeur. Si vous avez des

questions sur le copyright de l'IEC ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette publication, utilisez
les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
3, rue de Varembé Fax: +41 22 919 03 00
CH-1211 Geneva 20 info@iec.ch
Switzerland www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

IEC Catalogue - webstore.iec.ch/catalogue Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
The stand-alone application for consulting the entire The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and
bibliographical information on IEC International Standards, electrical terms containing more than 30 000 terms and
Technical Specifications, Technical Reports and other definitions in English and French, with equivalent terms in 14
documents. Available for PC, Mac OS, Android Tablets and additional languages. Also known as the International
iPad. Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) online.

IEC publications search - www.iec.ch/searchpub IEC Glossary - std.iec.ch/glossary
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a More than 55 000 electrotechnical terminology entries in
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical English and French extracted from the Terms and Definitions
committee,…). It also gives information on projects, replaced clause of IEC publications issued since 2002. Some entries
and withdrawn publications. have been collected from earlier publications of IEC TC 37,

77, 86 and CISPR.
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc
details all new publications released. Available online and If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or
also once a month by email. need further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: csc@iec.ch.
A propos de l'IEC
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (IEC) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications IEC
Le contenu technique des publications IEC est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez l’édition la
plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.

Catalogue IEC - webstore.iec.ch/catalogue Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
Application autonome pour consulter tous les renseignements
Le premier dictionnaire en ligne de termes électroniques et
bibliographiques sur les Normes internationales,
électriques. Il contient plus de 30 000 termes et définitions en
Spécifications techniques, Rapports techniques et autres
anglais et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans
documents de l'IEC. Disponible pour PC, Mac OS, tablettes
14 langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé Vocabulaire
Android et iPad.
Electrotechnique International (IEV) en ligne.

Recherche de publications IEC - www.iec.ch/searchpub
Glossaire IEC - std.iec.ch/glossary
Plus de 55 000 entrées terminologiques électrotechniques, en
La recherche avancée permet de trouver des publications IEC
en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence, texte, anglais et en français, extraites des articles Termes et
comité d’études,…). Elle donne aussi des informations sur les Définitions des publications IEC parues depuis 2002. Plus
projets et les publications remplacées ou retirées. certaines entrées antérieures extraites des publications des

CE 37, 77, 86 et CISPR de l'IEC.
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished

Service Clients - webstore.iec.ch/csc
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications IEC. Just
Published détaille les nouvelles publications parues. Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette
Disponible en ligne et aussi une fois par mois par email. publication ou si vous avez des questions contactez-nous:
csc@iec.ch.
IEC 60086-4 ®
Edition 4.0 2014-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Primary batteries –
Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries

Piles électriques –
Partie 4: Sécurité des piles au lithium

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX W
ICS 29.220.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-1829-7

– 2 – IEC 60086-4:2014 © IEC 2014

CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5

INTRODUCTION . 7

1 Scope . 8

2 Normative references . 8

3 Terms and definitions . 8

4 Requirements for safety . 11

4.1 Design . 11
4.2 Quality plan . 11
5 Sampling . 11
5.1 General . 11
5.2 Test samples . 11
6 Testing and requirements . 12
6.1 General . 12
6.1.1 Test application matrix . 12
6.1.2 Safety notice . 13
6.1.3 Ambient temperature . 13
6.1.4 Parameter measurement tolerances . 13
6.1.5 Predischarge . 14
6.1.6 Additional cells . 14
6.2 Evaluation of test criteria . 14
6.2.1 Short-circuit . 14
6.2.2 Excessive temperature rise . 14
6.2.3 Leakage . 14
6.2.4 Venting . 14
6.2.5 Fire . 14
6.2.6 Rupture . 15
6.2.7 Explosion . 15
6.3 Tests and requirements – Overview . 15
6.4 Tests for intended use . 16
6.4.1 Test A: Altitude . 16
6.4.2 Test B: Thermal cycling . 16
6.4.3 Test C: Vibration . 17

6.4.4 Test D: Shock . 18
6.5 Tests for reasonably foreseeable misuse . 19
6.5.1 Test E: External short-circuit . 19
6.5.2 Test F: Impact . 19
6.5.3 Test G: Crush . 20
6.5.4 Test H: Forced discharge. 21
6.5.5 Test I: Abnormal charging . 21
6.5.6 Test J: Free fall . 21
6.5.7 Test K: Thermal abuse . 22
6.5.8 Test L: Incorrect installation . 22
6.5.9 Test M: Overdischarge . 23
6.6 Information to be given in the relevant specification . 24
6.7 Evaluation and report . 24
7 Information for safety . 24

7.1 Safety precautions during design of equipment . 24

7.1.1 General . 24

7.1.2 Charge protection . 25

7.1.3 Parallel connection . 25

7.2 Safety precautions during handling of batteries . 25

7.3 Packaging . 27

7.4 Handling of battery cartons . 27

7.5 Transport . 28

7.5.1 General . 28

7.5.2 Air transport . 28

7.5.3 Sea transport . 28
7.5.4 Land transport . 28
7.6 Display and storage . 28
7.7 Disposal . 28
8 Instructions for use . 29
9 Marking . 29
9.1 General . 29
9.2 Small batteries . 30
9.3 Safety pictograms . 30
Annex A (informative) Guidelines for the achievement of safety of lithium batteries . 31
Annex B (informative) Guidelines for designers of equipment using lithium batteries . 32
Annex C (informative) Additional information on display and storage . 35
Annex D (informative) Safety pictograms . 36
D.1 General . 36
D.2 Pictograms . 36
D.3 Instruction for use . 37
Bibliography . 38

Figure 1 – Mesh screen . 15
Figure 2 – Thermal cycling procedure . 17
Figure 3 – Example of a test set-up for the impact test . 19
Figure 4 – Examples of a test set-up for the crush test . 20
Figure 5 – Axes for free fall . 22

Figure 6 – Circuit diagram for incorrect installation . 22
Figure 7 – Circuit diagram for overdischarge . 23
Figure 8 – Examples of safety wiring for charge protection . 25
Figure 9 – Ingestion gauge . 26
Figure 10 – Example for warning against swallowing, particularly lithium coin cell
batteries . 26
Figure A.1 – Battery design guidelines . 31

Table 1 – Number of test samples . 12
Table 2 – Test application matrix . 13
Table 3 – Mass loss limits . 14
Table 4 – Tests and requirements . 16
Table 5 – Vibration profile (sinusoidal) . 18

– 4 – IEC 60086-4:2014 © IEC 2014

Table 6 – Shock parameters . 18

Table 7 – Resistive load for overdischarge . 23

Table 8 – Parameters to be specified . 24

Table B.1 – Equipment design guidelines (1 of 3) . 32

Table D.1 – Safety pictograms (1 of 2) . 36

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________
PRIMARY BATTERIES –
Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

International Standard IEC 60086-4 has been prepared by technical committee 35: Primary
cells and batteries.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2007. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) Harmonisation with the second edition of IEC 62281 [12] ;
b) Alternative protective circuits in 7.1.1;
———————
Numbers in square brackets refer to the Bibliography.

– 6 – IEC 60086-4:2014 © IEC 2014

c) More information regarding risks of swallowing lithium batteries in (former) 7.2.m) and

promotion of this item to 7.2a);

d) A new Annex D with pictograms for some of the safety precautions in 7.2.

The text of this standard is based on the following documents:

FDIS Report on voting
35/1324/FDIS 35/1332/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on

voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
NOTE The following print types are used:
– requirements: in roman type;
– instructions/warnings for consumers: in italic type.
A list of all parts in the IEC 60086 series, under the general title Primary batteries, can be
found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
INTRODUCTION
The concept of safety is closely related to safeguarding the integrity of people and property.

This standard specifies tests and requirements for lithium batteries and has been prepared in

accordance with ISO/IEC guidelines, taking into account all relevant national and international

standards which apply.
Lithium batteries are different from conventional primary batteries using aqueous electrolyte

in that they contain flammable materials.

Consequently, it is important to carefully consider safety during design, production,

distribution, use, and disposal of lithium batteries. Based on such special characteristics,
lithium batteries for consumer applications were initially small in size and had low power
output. There were also lithium batteries with high power output which were used for special
industrial and military applications and were characterized as being “technician replaceable”.
The first edition of this standard was drafted to accommodate this situation.
However, from around the end of the 1980s, lithium batteries with high power output started to
be widely used in the consumer replacement market, mainly as a power source in camera
applications. Since the demand for such lithium batteries with high power output significantly
increased, various manufacturers started to produce these types of lithium batteries. As a
consequence of this situation, the safety aspects for lithium batteries with high power output
were included in the second edition of this standard.
Primary lithium batteries both for consumer and industrial applications are well-established
safe and reliable products in the market, which is at least partly due to the existence of safety
standards such as this standard and, for transport, IEC 62281. The fourth edition of this
standard therefore reflects only minor changes which became necessary in order to keep it
harmonized with IEC 62281 and to continuously improve the user information about safety
related matters.
Guidelines addressing safety issues during the design of lithium batteries are provided in
Annex A. Annex B provides guidelines addressing safety issues during the design of
equipment where lithium batteries are installed. Both Annex A and B reflect experience with
lithium batteries used in camera applications and are based on [20].
Safety is freedom from unacceptable risk. There can be no absolute safety: some risk will
remain. Therefore a product, process or service can only be relatively safe. Safety is achieved
by reducing risk to a tolerable level determined by the search for an optimal balance between
the ideal of absolute safety and the demands to be met by a product, process or service, and
factors such as benefit to the user, suitability for purpose, cost effectiveness, and conventions
of the society concerned.
As safety will pose different problems, it is impossible to provide a set of precise provisions
and recommendations that will apply in every case. However, this standard, when followed on
a judicious “use when applicable” basis, will provide reasonably consistent standards for
safety.
– 8 – IEC 60086-4:2014 © IEC 2014

PRIMARY BATTERIES –
Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries

1 Scope
This Part of IEC 60086 specifies tests and requirements for primary lithium batteries to ensure

their safe operation under intended use and reasonably foreseeable misuse.
NOTE Primary lithium batteries that are standardized in IEC 60086-2 are expected to meet all applicable
requirements herein. It is understood that consideration of this part of IEC 60086 might also be given to measuring
and/or ensuring the safety of non-standardized primary lithium batteries. In either case, no claim or warranty is
made that compliance or non-compliance with this standard will fulfil or not fulfil any of the user’s particular
purposes or needs.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60086-1:2011, Primary batteries – Part 1: General
IEC 60086-2, Primary batteries – Part 2: Physical and electrical specifications
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
NOTE Certain definitions taken from IEC 60050-482, IEC 60086-1, and IEC Guide 51 are repeated below for
convenience.
3.1
battery
one or more cells electrically connected and fitted in a case, with terminals, markings and
protective devices etc., as necessary for use

[SOURCE: IEC 60050-482:2004, 482-01-04, modified ("fitted with devices necessary for use,
for example case" replaced by "electrically connected and fitted in a case", addition of "etc.,
as necessary for use")]
3.2
coin cell
coin battery
small round cell or battery where the overall height is less than the diameter
Note 1 to entry: In English, the term “coin (cell or battery)” is used for lithium batteries only while the term “button
(cell or battery)” is only used for non-lithium batteries. In languages other than English, the terms “coin” and
“button” are often used interchangeably, regardless of the electrochemical system.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-482:2004, 482-02-40, modified (term “button” deleted, NOTE “In
practice terms, the term coin is used exclusively for non-aqueous lithium cells.” replaced with
a different note)]
3.3
cell
basic functional unit, consisting of an assembly of electrodes, electrolyte, container, terminals

and usually separators, that is a source of electric energy obtained by direct conversion of

chemical energy
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-482:2004, 482-01-01]

3.4
component cell
cell contained in a battery
3.5
cylindrical (cell or battery)
round cell or battery in which the overall height is equal to or greater than the diameter
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-482:2004, 482-02-39, modified ("cell with a cylindrical shape" replaced
by "round cell or battery")]
3.6
depth of discharge
DOD
percentage of rated capacity discharged from a battery
3.7
fully discharged
state of charge of a cell or battery corresponding to 100 % depth of discharge
3.8
harm
physical injury or damage to health of people, or damage to property or the environment
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, 3.3]
3.9
hazard
potential source of harm
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, 3.5, modified (removal of NOTE)]
3.10
intended use
use of a product, process or service in accordance with information provided by the supplier
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, 3.13]
3.11
large battery
battery with a gross mass of more than 12 kg
3.12
large cell
cell with a gross mass of more than 500 g

– 10 – IEC 60086-4:2014 © IEC 2014

3.13
lithium cell
cell containing a non-aqueous electrolyte and a negative electrode of lithium or containing

lithium
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-482:2004 482-01-06, modified (removal of NOTE)]

3.14
nominal voltage
suitable approximate value of the voltage used to designate or identify a cell, a battery or an

electrochemical system
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-482:2004, 482-03-31]
3.15
open circuit voltage
OCV, U , off-load voltage
OC
voltage across the terminals of a cell or battery when no external current is flowing
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-482:2004, 482-03-32, modified (alternative terms “OCV, U , off-load
OC
voltage” added, “across the terminals” added, “when the discharge current is zero” replaced
with “when no external current is flowing”)]
3.16
prismatic cell
prismatic battery
qualifies a cell or a battery having the shape of a parallelepiped whose faces are rectangular
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-482:2004, 482-02-38]
3.17
protective devices
devices such as fuses, diodes or other electric or electronic current limiters designed to
interrupt the current flow, block the current flow in one direction or limit the current flow in an
electrical circuit
3.18
rated capacity
capacity value of a cell or battery determined under specified conditions and declared by the
manufacturer
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-482:2004, 482-03-15, modified ("cell or" added)]
3.19
reasonably foreseeable misuse
use of a product, process or service in a way not intended by the supplier, but which may
result from readily predictable human behaviour
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, 3.14]
3.20
risk
combination of the probability of occurrence of harm and the severity of that harm
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, 3.2]

3.21
safety
freedom from unacceptable risk

[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, 3.1]

3.22
undischarged
state of charge of a primary cell or battery corresponding to 0 % depth of discharge

4 Requirements for safety
4.1 Design
Lithium batteries are categorized by their chemical composition (anode, cathode, electrolyte),
internal construction (bobbin, spiral) and are available in cylindrical, coin and prismatic
configurations. It is necessary to consider all relevant safety aspects at the battery design
stage, recognizing the fact that they can differ considerably, depending on the specific lithium
system, power capability and battery configuration.
The following design concepts for safety are common to all lithium batteries:
a) Abnormal temperature rise above the critical value defined by the manufacturer shall be
prevented by design.
b) Temperature increases in the battery shall be controlled by a design which limits current
flow.
c) Lithium cells and batteries shall be designed to relieve excessive internal pressure or to
preclude a violent rupture under conditions of transport, intended use and reasonably
foreseeable misuse.
See Annex A for guidelines for the achievement of safety of lithium batteries.
4.2 Quality plan
The manufacturer shall prepare and implement a quality plan defining the procedures for the
inspection of materials, components, cells and batteries during the course of manufacture, to
be applied to the total process of producing a specific type of battery. Manufacturers should
understand their process capabilities and should institute the necessary process controls as
they relate to product safety.
5 Sampling
5.1 General
Samples should be drawn from production lots in accordance with accepted statistical
methods.
5.2 Test samples
The number of test samples is given in Table 1. The same test cells and batteries are used for
tests A to E in sequence. New test cells and batteries are required for each of tests F to M.

– 12 – IEC 60086-4:2014 © IEC 2014

Table 1 – Number of test samples

Cells and single
Tests Discharge state Multi-cell batteries
a
cell batteries
Undischarged 10 4
Tests A to E
Fully discharged 10 4
Undischarged 5 5 component cells

Test F or G
Fully discharged 5 5 component cells

Test H Fully discharged 10 10 component cells

Tests I to K Undischarged 5 5
Test L Undischarged 20 (see Note 1) n/a
50 % predischarged 20 (see Note 2) n/a
Test M
75 % predischarged 20 (see Note 3) n/a
a
single cell batteries containing one tested component cell do not require re-testing unless the change could
result in a failure of any of the tests.
Key:
n/a: not applicable
NOTE 1 Four batteries connected in series with one of the four batteries reversed (5 sets).
NOTE 2 Four batteries connected in series, one of which is 50 % predischarged (5 sets).
NOTE 3 Four batteries connected in series, one of which is 75 % predischarged (5 sets).

6 Testing and requirements
6.1 General
6.1.1 Test application matrix
Applicability of test methods to test cells and batteries is shown in Table 2.

Table 2 – Test application matrix

Applicable tests
Form
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
a a b c
s x x x x x x x x x x x x x
a, d a, d d
m x x x x x x x x x x x n/a n/a

Test description: Key:
Intended use tests Reasonably foreseeable misuse Form

tests
A: Altitude E: External short-circuit s: cell or single cell battery

B: Thermal cycling F: Impact
m: multi cell battery
C: Vibration G: Crush
Applicability
D: Shock H: Forced discharge
x: applicable
I: Abnormal charging
J: Free fall n/a: not applicable
K: Thermal abuse
L: Incorrect installation
M: Overdischarge
a
Only one test shall be applied, test F or test G.
b
Only applicable to CR17345, CR15H270 and similar type batteries of a spiral construction that could be
installed incorrectly and charged.
c
Only applicable to CR17345, CR15H270 and similar type batteries of a spiral construction that could be
overdischarged.
d
Test applies to the component cells.

6.1.2 Safety notice
WARNING: These tests call for the use of procedures which can result in injury if
adequate precautions are not taken.
It has been assumed in the drafting of these tests that their execution is
undertaken by appropriately qualified and experienced technicians
using adequate protection.
6.1.3 Ambient temperature
Unless otherwise specified, the tests shall be carried out at an ambient temperature of
20 °C ± 5 °C.
6.1.4 Parameter measurement tolerances
The overall accuracy of controlled or measured values, relative to the specified or actual
parameters, shall be within the following tolerances:
a) ± 1 % for voltage;
b) ± 1 % for current;
c) ± 2 °C for temperature;
d) ± 0,1 % for time;
e) ± 1 % for dimensions;
f) ± 1 % for capacity.
These tolerances comprise the combined accuracy of the measuring instruments, the
measurement techniques used, and all other sources of error in the test procedure.

– 14 – IEC 60086-4:2014 © IEC 2014

6.1.5 Predischarge
Where a test requires predischarge, the test cells or batteries shall be discharged to the

respective depth of discharge on a resistive load with which the rated capacity is obtained or

at a current specified by the manufacturer.

6.1.6 Additional cells
Where additional cells are required to perform a test, they shall be of the same type and,

preferably, from the same production lot as the test cell.

6.2 Evaluation of test criteria

6.2.1 Short-circuit
A short-circuit is considered to have occurred during a test if the open-circuit voltage of the
cell or battery immediately after the test is less than 90 % of its voltage prior to the test. This
requirement is not applicable to test cells and batteries in fully discharged states.
6.2.2 Excessive temperature rise
An excessive temperature rise is considered to have occurred during a test if the external
case temperature of the test cell or battery rises above 170 °C.
6.2.3 Leakage
Leakage is considered to have occurred during a test if there is visible escape of electrolyte
or other material from the test cell or battery, or the loss of material (except battery casing,
handling devices or labels) from the test cell or battery such that the mass loss exceeds the
limits in Table 3.
In order to quantify mass loss ∆m / m, the following equation is provided:
m - m
1 2
Δm / m = × 100 %
m
Where
m is the mass before a test;
m is the mass after that test.
Table 3 – Mass loss limits
Mass of cell or battery Mass loss limit

m ∆m / m
m < 1 g 0,5 %
0,2 %
1 g ≤ m ≤ 75 g
0,1 %
m > 75 g
6.2.4 Venting
Venting is considered to have occurred if, during a test, an excessive build up of internal gas
pressure escapes from a cell or battery through a safety feature designed for this purpose.
This gas may include entrapped materials.
6.2.5 Fire
A fire is considered to have occurred if, during a test, flames are emitted from the test cell or
battery.
6.2.6 Rupture
A rupture is considered to have occurred if, during a test, a cell container or battery case has

mechanically failed, resulting in expulsion of gas, spillage of liquids, or ejection of solid

materials but no explosion.
6.2.7 Explosion
An explosion is considered to have occurred if, during a test, solid matter from any part of a

cell or battery has penetrated a wire mesh screen as shown in Figure 1, centred over the cell

or battery on the steel plate. The screen shall be made from annealed aluminium wire with a

diameter of 0,25 mm and a grid density of 6 to 7 wires per cm.

0,6 m
2 1
IEC
NOTE The figure shows an aluminium wire mesh screen (1) of octagonal shape resting on a steel plate (2).
Figure 1 – Mesh screen
6.3 Tests and requirements – Overview
This standard provides safety tests for intended use (tests A to D) and reasonably
foreseeable misuse (tests E to M).
Table 4 contains an overview of the tests and requirements for intended use and reasonably
foreseeable misuse.
0,6 m
0,3 m
– 16 – IEC 60086-4:2014 © IEC 2014

Table 4 – Tests and requirements

Test number Designation Requirements

Intended use tests A Altitude NL, NV, NC, NR, NE, NF

B Thermal cycling NL, NV, NC, NR, NE, NF

C Vibration NL, NV, NC, NR, NE, NF

D Shock NL, NV, NC, NR, NE, NF

Reasonably foreseeable E External short-circuit NT, NR, NE, NF

misuse tests
F Impact NT, NE, NF
G Crush NT, NE, NF
H Forced discharge NE, NF
I Abnormal charging NE, NF
J Free fall NV, NE, NF
K Thermal abuse NE, NF
L Incorrect installation NE, NF
M Overdischarge NE, NF
Tests A through E shall be conducted in sequence on the same cell or battery.
Tests F and G are provided as alternatives. Only one of them shall be conducted.
Key
NC: No short-circuit
NE: No explosion
NF: No fire
NL: No leakage
NR: No rupture
NT: No excessive temperature rise
NV: No venting
See 6.2 for a detailed description of the test criteria.

6.4 Tests for intended use
6.4.1 Test A: Altitude
a) Purpose
This test simulates air transport under low pressure conditions.

b) Test procedure
Test cells and batteries shall be stored at a pressure of 11,6 kPa or less for at least 6 h at
ambient temperature.
c) Requirements
There shall be no leakage, no venting, no short-circuit, no rupture, no explosion and no
fire during this test.
6.4.2 Test B: Thermal cycling
a) Purpose
This test assesses cell and battery seal integrity and that of their internal electrical
connections. The test is conducted using temperature cycling.
b) Test procedure
Test cells and batteries shall be stored for at least 6 h at a test temperature of 72 °C,
followed by storage for at least 6 h at a test temperature of –40 °C. The maximum time for

transfer to each temperature shall be 30 min. Each test cell and battery shall undergo this

procedure 10 times. This is then followed by storage for at least 24 h at ambient

temperature.
NOTE Figure 2 shows one of ten cycles.

For large cells and batteries the duration of exposure to the test temperatures shall be at

least 12 h instead of 6 h.
The test shall be conducted using the test cells and batteries previously subjected to the

altitude test.
+72 °C
–40 °C
t t t t
2 1 2 1
IEC
Key
t ≤ 30 min
t ≥ 6 h (12 h for large cells and batteries)
Figure 2 – Thermal cycling procedure
c) Requirements
There shall be no leakage, no venting, no short-circuit, no rupture, no explosion and no
fire during this test.
6.4.3 Test C: Vibration
a) Purpose
This test simulates vibration during transport. The test condition is based on the range of
vibrations as given by ICAO [2].
b) Test procedure
Test cells and batteries shall be firmly secured to the platform of the vibration machine
without distorting them and in such a manner as to faithfully transmit the vibration. Test

cells and batteries shall be subjected to sinusoidal vibration according to Table 5 which
shows a different upper ac
...