IEC 60086-4:2007

IEC 60086-4
Edition 3.0 2007-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Primary batteries –
Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries

Piles électriques –
Partie 4: Sécurité des piles au lithium

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IEC 60086-4
Edition 3.0 2007-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
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
V
CODE PRIX
ICS 29.220.10 ISBN 2-8318-9304-6

– 2 – 60086-4 © IEC:2007
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.4
INTRODUCTION.6

1 Scope.7
2 Normative references .7
3 Terms and definitions .7
4 Requirements for safety .9
4.1 Design.9
4.2 Quality plan.10
5 Sampling .10
5.1 General .10
5.2 Test samples.10
6 Testing and requirements .11
6.1 General .11
6.1.1 Test application matrix.11
6.1.2 Safety notice .11
6.1.3 Ambient temperature .11
6.1.4 Parameter measurement tolerances .11
6.1.5 Predischarge .12
6.1.6 Additional cells .12
6.2 Evaluation of test criteria.12
6.2.1 Short-circuit.12
6.2.2 Excessive temperature rise.12
6.2.3 Leakage .12
6.2.4 Mass loss .12
6.2.5 Venting.12
6.2.6 Fire .13
6.2.7 Rupture .13
6.2.8 Explosion .13
6.3 Tests and requirements – Overview.14
6.4 Tests for intended use.14
6.4.1 Test A: Altitude.14
6.4.2 Test B: Thermal cycling .15
6.4.3 Test C: Vibration .15
6.4.4 Test D: Shock.16
6.5 Tests for reasonably foreseeable misuse.16
6.5.1 Test E: External short-circuit .16
6.5.2 Test F: Impact .17
6.5.3 Test G: Crush .17
6.5.4 Test H: Forced discharge .18
6.5.5 Test I: Abnormal charging.18
6.5.6 Test J: Free fall .19
6.5.7 Test K: Thermal abuse .19
6.5.8 Test L: Incorrect installation .20
6.5.9 Test M: Overdischarge .20
6.6 Information to be given in the relevant specification .21

60086-4 © IEC:2007 – 3 –
6.7 Evaluation and report .22
7 Information for safety.22
7.1 Safety precautions during design of equipment .22
7.1.1 Charge protection.22
7.1.2 Parallel connection .22
7.2 Safety precautions during handling of batteries .22
7.3 Packaging .24
7.4 Handling of battery cartons.24
7.5 Transport .25
7.5.1 General .25
7.5.2 Air transport .25
7.5.3 Sea transport.25
7.5.4 Land transport .25
7.6 Display and storage.25
7.7 Disposal .25
8 Instructions for use.26
9 Marking .26
9.1 General .26
9.2 Small batteries .27

Annex A (informative) Guidelines for the achievement of safety of lithium batteries .28
Annex B (informative) Guidelines for designers of equipment using lithium batteries.29
Annex C (informative) Additional information on display and storage .31

Bibliography.32

Figure 1 – Mesh screen .13
Figure 2 – Thermal cycling procedure .15
Figure 3 – Axes for free fall.19
Figure 4 – Circuit diagram for incorrect installation .20
Figure 5 – Circuit diagram for overdischarge.21
Figure 6 – Safety wiring for charge protection .22
Figure 7 – Ingestion gauge .24

Table 1 – Number of test samples.10
Table 2 – Test application matrix .11
Table 3 – Maximum mass loss .12
Table 4 – Tests and requirements.14
Table 5 – Vibration profile (sinusoidal) .16
Table 6 – Shock parameters .16
Table 7 – Resistive load for overdischarge.21
Table A.1 – Battery design guidelines .28
Table B.1 – Equipment design guidelines.29

– 4 – 60086-4 © IEC:2007
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 provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with an IEC Publication.
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 third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2000. It is the result of
a reformatting initiative aimed at making this part more user-friendly, less ambiguous and,
from a cross-reference point of view, fully harmonized with other parts of IEC 60086.
The major technical changes, with regard to the previous edition, concern:
a) Harmonisation with IEC 62281 [11]
b) The tests were renumbered and partly revised or deleted. One test (F: Impact) was added
for compliance with IEC 62281. The table shows the old and new test numbers as well as
tests that were added. The test number in brackets indicates major changes of the test
procedure.
———————
Figures in square brackets refer to the Bibliography.

60086-4 © IEC:2007 – 5 –
Old New Test designation
C-3 A Altitude
(C-1) B Thermal cycling
B-1 C Vibration
B-2 D Shock
D-1 E External short circuit
F Impact
E-2 G Crush
H Forced discharge
D-4 I Abnormal charging
E-1 J Free fall
F-1 K Thermal abuse
D-3 L Incorrect installation
D-6 M Overdischarge
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
35/1240/CDV 35/1250/RVC
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.
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 maintenance result 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.
– 6 – 60086-4 © IEC:2007
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.
The major target of the third edition of this standard was to harmonize it with the transport
tests for lithium batteries that were published in IEC 62281 [11].
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 document[18] of the
bibliography.
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.
60086-4 © IEC:2007 – 7 –
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 referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
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, 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 and IEC 60086-1 are repeated below for convenience.
3.1
aggregate lithium content
total lithium content of the cells comprising a battery
3.2
battery
one or more cells fitted with devices necessary for use, for example case, terminals, marking
and protective devices
[IEV 482-01-04:2004]
3.3
button cell
coin cell
cell with a cylindrical shape in which the overall height is less than the diameter, e.g. in the
shape of a button or a coin
[IEV 482-02-40:2004]
3.4
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
[IEV 482-01-01:2004]
– 8 – 60086-4 © IEC:2007
3.5
component cell
cell contained in a battery
3.6
cylindrical cell
cell with a cylindrical shape in which the overall height is equal to or greater than the diameter
[IEV 482-02-39:2004]
3.7
depth of discharge
percentage of rated capacity discharged from a battery
3.8
fully discharged
state of charge of a cell or battery corresponding to 100 % depth of discharge
3.9
harm
physical injury or damage to health of people, or damage to property or the environment
[ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, 3.3]
3.10
hazard
potential source of harm
[ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, 3.5]
3.11
intended use
use of a product, process or service in accordance with information provided by the supplier
[ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, 3.13]
3.12
large battery
battery in which the aggregate lithium content is more than 500 g
3.13
large cell
cell in which the lithium content is more than 12 g
3.14
lithium cell
cell containing a non-aqueous electrolyte and a negative electrode of lithium or containing
lithium
[IEV 482-01-06:2004]
3.15
nominal voltage
suitable approximate value of the voltage used to designate or identify a cell, a battery or an
electrochemical system
[IEV 482-03-31:2004]
3.16
open circuit voltage (OCV, U , off-load voltage)
OC
voltage across the terminals of a battery when no external current is flowing
[IEV 482-03-32:2004, modified]

60086-4 © IEC:2007 – 9 –
3.17
prismatic
qualifies a cell or a battery having the shape of a parallelepiped whose faces are rectangular
[IEV 482-02-38:2004]
3.18
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
3.19
rated capacity
capacity value of a cell or battery determined under specified conditions and declared by the
manufacturer
[IEV 482-03-15:2004, modified]
3.20
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
[ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, 3.14]
3.21
risk
combination of the probability of occurrence of harm and the severity of that harm
[ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, 3.2]
3.22
safety
freedom from unacceptable risk
[ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999, 3.1]
3.23
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, button/coin and prismatic
configurations. It is necessary to consider all relevant safety aspects at the battery design
stage, recognizing the fact that they may 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.

– 10 – 60086-4 © IEC:2007
4.2 Quality plan
The manufacturer shall prepare 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.
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 below. 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.
NOTE Test G is provided as an alternative for test F depending on which of them is more appropriate to simulate
an internal short-circuit for the relevant cell design.
Table 1 – Number of test samples
Cells and single cell batteries Multi cell batteries
Undischarged Fully discharged Undischarged Fully discharged
Number of samples
for tests A to E
a a
10 10
4 4
Undischarged Fully discharged
Number of samples No battery tests required but the component
5 (button and 5 (button and
for tests F or G cells shall have passed the test
cylindrical) cylindrical)
10 (prismatic) 10 (prismatic)
Undischarged Fully discharged
Number of No battery tests required but the component
samples for test H cells shall have passed the test
NA 10
Undischarged Fully discharged Undischarged Fully discharged
Number of samples
for tests I to K
5 NA 5 NA
Undischarged Fully discharged
Number of
NA
samples for test L
b
NA
5 (+ 15)
50 % predischarged 75 % predischarged
Number of
NA
samples for test M
b b
5 (+15) 5 (+15)
Key:
NA: Not applicable.
a
When testing batteries, unless the component cells or batteries made from them have been tested before, the
number of test batteries shall be at least such that the number of component cells contained in them equals the
number of test cells required for that test.
EXAMPLE 1 If a battery with 2 component cells is tested, the number of test batteries shall be 5. If the
component cells or batteries made from them have been tested before, the number of test batteries shall be 4.
EXAMPLE 2 If a battery with 3 or more component cells is tested, the number of test batteries shall be 4.
b
Undischarged additional cells in brackets.

60086-4 © IEC:2007 – 11 –
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 below.
Table 2 – Test application matrix
Applicable tests
Form
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
s a b
x x x x x x x x x x x
x x
m c c c
x x x x x x x x NA NA
NA NA NA
Test description: Key:
Intended use tests Reasonably foreseeable misuse tests Form
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
D: Shock H: Forced discharge Applicability
I: Abnormal charging
x: Applicable
J: Free fall
NA: Not applicable
K: Thermal abuse
L: Incorrect installation
M: Overdischarge
a
Only applicable to CR17345, CR15H270 and similar type batteries of a spiral construction that could be installed
incorrectly and charged.
b
Only applicable to CR17345, CR15H270 and similar type batteries of a spiral construction that could be
overdischarged.
c
No battery tests required but the component cells shall have passed the test.

6.1.2 Safety notice
WARNING: These tests call for the use of procedures which may 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 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 dimension;
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.

– 12 – 60086-4 © IEC:2007
6.1.5 Predischarge
Where a test requires predischarge, the test cells or batteries shall be discharged to the
respective depth of discharge with a resistive load with which the rated capacity is obtained or
with 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, of 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 after the test is less than 90 % of its voltage immediately prior to the test. This
requirement is not applicable to test cells and batteries at 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 electrolyte, gas or other material
escapes from the test cell or battery in a manner not intended by design.
6.2.4 Mass loss
In order to quantify mass loss Δm / m, the following equation is provided:
m - m
Δm / m = × 100 %
m
where
m is the mass before a test;
m is the mass after that test.
Mass loss is considered to have occurred if, during a test, the maximum values given in
Table 3 are exceeded.
Table 3 – Maximum mass loss
Maximum mass loss
Mass of battery
Δm / m
m
%
0,5
m ≤ 1 g
1 g < m ≤ 5 g 0,2
m > 5 g 0,1
6.2.5 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.

60086-4 © IEC:2007 – 13 –
6.2.6 Fire
A fire is considered to have occurred if, during a test, flames are emitted from the test cell or
battery.
6.2.7 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.
6.2.8 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
0,6 m
0,3 m
IEC  1705/07
NOTE The figure shows an aluminium wire mesh screen (1) of octagonal shape resting on a steel plate (2).
Figure 1 – Mesh screen
– 14 – 60086-4 © IEC:2007
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.
Table 4 – Tests and requirements
Test number Designation Requirements
Intended use tests A Altitude NM, NL, NV, NC, NR, NE, NF
B Thermal cycling NM, NL, NV, NC, NR, NE, NF
C Vibration NM, NL, NV, NC, NR, NE, NF
D Shock NM, NL, NV, NC, NR, NE, NF
Reasonably foreseeable misuse E External short-circuit NT, NR, NE, NF
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, namely the one which is
considered by the manufacturer to be more appropriate to simulate an internal short-circuit for the relevant
cell design.
Key
NC: No short-circuit
NE: No explosion
NF: No fire
NL: No leakage
NM: No mass loss
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 mass loss, no leakage, no venting, no short-circuit, no rupture, no explosion
and no fire during this test.
60086-4 © IEC:2007 – 15 –
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 75 °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.
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.
+75 °C
–40 °C
t t t t
2 1 2 1
IEC  1706/07
Key
t ≤ 30 min
t ≥ 6 h (12 h for large cells and batteries)
NOTE The figure shows one of ten cycles.
Figure 2 – Thermal cycling procedure
c) Requirements
There shall be no mass loss, 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. This cycle shall
be repeated 12 times for a total of 3 h for each of three mutually perpendicular mounting
positions. One of the directions shall be perpendicular to the terminal face.
The test shall be conducted using the test cells and batteries previously subjected to the
thermal cycling test.
– 16 – 60086-4 © IEC:2007
Table 5 – Vibration profile (sinusoidal)
Frequency range Amplitudes Duration of logarithmic Axis Number
sweep cycle of
From To
(7 Hz – 200 Hz – 7 Hz) cycles
f = 7 Hz f a = 1 g X 12
1 2 1 n
f f s = 0,8 mm Y 12
15 min
2 3
f f = 200 Hz a = 8 g Z 12
3 4 2 n
and back to f = 7 Hz Total 36
NOTE Vibration amplitude is the maximum absolute value of displacement or acceleration. For
example, a displacement amplitude of 0,8 mm corresponds to a peak-to-peak displacement of
1,6 mm.
Key
f , f : lower and upper frequency
1 4
f , f : cross-over frequencies (f ≈ 17,62 Hz, f ≈ 49,84 Hz)
2 3 2 3
a , a: acceleration amplitude
1 2
s: displacement amplitude
c) Requirements
There shall be no mass loss, no leakage, no venting, no short-circuit, no rupture, no explosion
and no fire during this test.
6.4.4 Test D: Shock
a) Purpose
This test simulates rough handling during transport.
b) Test procedure
Test cells and batteries shall be secured to the testing machine by means of a rigid mount
which will support all mounting surfaces of each test cell or battery. Each test cell or battery
shall be subjected to 3 shocks in each direction of three mutually perpendicular mounting
positions of the cell or battery for a total of 18 shocks. For each shock, the parameters given
in Table 6 shall be applied.
Table 6 – Shock parameters
Peak Number of shocks
Waveform Pulse duration
acceleration per half axis
Cells or batteries except large ones Half sine 150 g 6 ms 3
n
50 g
Large cells or batteries Half sine 11 ms 3
n
The test shall be conducted using the test cells and batteries previously subjected to the
vibration test.
c) Requirements
There shall be no mass loss, no leakage, no venting, no short-circuit, no rupture, no explosion
and no fire during this test.
6.5 Tests for reasonably foreseeable misuse
6.5.1 Test E: External short-circuit
a) Purpose
This test simulates conditions resulting in an external short-circuit.
b) Test procedure
The test cell or battery shall be stabilized at an external case temperature of 55 °C and then
subjected to a short-circuit condition with a total external resistance of less than 0,1 Ω at

60086-4 © IEC:2007 – 17 –
55 °C. This short-circuit condition is continued for at least 1 h after the cell or battery external
case temperature has returned to 55 °C.
The test sample shall be observed for a further 6 h.
The test shall be conducted using the test samples previously subjected to the shock test.
c) Requirements
There shall be no excessive temperature rise, no rupture, no explosion and no fire during this
test and within the 6 h of observation.
6.5.2 Test F: Impact
a) Purpose
This test simulates an internal short-circuit.
NOTE The impact test has been included in IEC 62281 [11] for the purpose of harmonization with the transport
tests described in the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and
Criteria [17]. It has been evaluated by the IEC and found to be more appropriately described as a misuse test than
a transport test. It could not be verified that it truly simulates an internal short-circuit condition. It was, however,
found that for some cell designs, the crush test is more appropriate to simulate an internal short-circuit condition.
Therefore, the crush test is provided as an alternative test method to simulate an internal short-circuit.
b) Test procedure
The test cell or component cell is placed on a flat plate. A steel bar with a diameter of
15,8 mm is placed across the centre of the test sample. A mass of 9,1 kg is dropped from a
height of 61 cm ± 2,5 cm onto the bar on the test sample.
A cylindrical or prismatic cell is impacted with its longitudinal axis parallel to the flat plate and
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bar lying across the centre of the test sample. A
prismatic cell is also rotated 90° around its longitudinal axis so that both the wide and narrow
sides will be subjected to the impact. A button cell is impacted with its flat surface parallel to
the flat plate and the bar lying across its centre.
Each test cell o
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