1 Scope
This document specifies the safety requirements and test methods for lithium ion cells and batteries used in portable electronic equipments.
This document is applicable to lithium ion cells and batteries used in portable electronic equipments (hereinafter referred to as cells and batteries). Examples of portable electronic equipments falling within the scope of this document are as follows:
a) Portable office supplies: laptops, tablets, etc.;
b) Mobile communication products: mobile phones, cordless phones, walkie-talkies, etc.;
c) Portable audio/video products: portable televisions, portable audio/video players, cameras, video cameras, recording pens, Bluetooth headsets, portable speakers, etc.;
d) Other portable products: electronic navigation planners, digital photo frames, game consoles, e-books, mobile power supplies, portable energy storage power supplies, portable projectors, wearable devices, etc.
This document can serve as a reference for lithium ion cells and batteries for similar purposes to the above examples.
Additional requirements may be posed onto lithium ion cells or batteries used in portable electronic equipments for special occasions such as vehicles, ships, and aircrafts and for special fields such as medical treatment, mining and submarine operations.
This document is not applicable to lithium ion cells and batteries used in electronic cigarettes.
2 Normative references
The following documents contain requirements which, through reference in this text, constitute indispensable requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 2423.5 Environmental testing - Part 2: Test methods - Test Ea and guidance: Shock
GB/T 2423.10 Environmental testing - Part 2: Test methods - Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal)
GB/T 2423.21 Environmental testing for electric and electronic products - Part 2: Test methods - Test M: Low air pressure
GB/T 2423.22 Environmental testing - Part 2: Tests methods - Test N: Change of temperature
GB 4943.1-2022 Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment - Part 1: Safety requirements
GB/T 5169.5-2020 Fire hazard testing for electric and electronic products - Part 5: Test flames - Needle-flame test method - Apparatus, confirmatory test arrangement and guidance
GB/T 5330-2003 Industrial woven metal wire cloth (square opening series)
GB/T 6005-2008 Test sieves - Metal wire cloth perforated metal plate and electroformed sheet - Nominal sizes of openings
GB/T 17626.2 Electromagnetic compatibility - Testing and measurement techniques - Electrostatic discharge immunity test
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
lithium ion cell
device that realizes mutual conversion between chemical energy and electrical energy by lithium ion moving between positive and negative electrodes, and is designed to be rechargeable
Note: This device consists of an assembly of electrodes, separators, electrolyte, container, terminals, etc.
3.2
lithium ion battery
assembly ready for use which comprises one or more lithium ion cells and has protection circuit
Note 1: The protection circuit may be independent or in the charger or the electronic equipment (including its accessories). See Clause 11 for testing of a protection circuit in the charger or electronic equipment (including its accessories).
Note 2: Lithium ion batteries may also contain encapsulating materials, connectors, protective devices and other components or materials.
3.3
portable electronic equipment
mobile electronic equipment not exceeding 18kg designed to be carried frequently by the users
3.4
hand-held electronic equipment
portable electronic equipment that needs to be held by hand in normal use
3.5
user replaceable battery
lithium ion battery used in portable electronic equipment and allowing users to replace directly
3.6
non-user replaceable cell/battery
lithium ion cell or battery that is built into a portable electronic equipment and does not allow the user to replace directly
3.7
nominal voltage
suitable approximate value used to indicate the voltage of a cell or battery
3.8
rated capacity
C
capacity of a cell or battery as indicated by the manufacturer
Note: It is expressed in ampere-hours (Ah) or milliampere-hours (mAh).
3.9
nominal energy
energy value of a cell or battery determined under specified conditions, as indicated by the manufacturer
Note: It is obtained by multiplying the nominal voltage by the rated capacity and may be rounded up, expressed in watt-hours (Wh) or milliwatt-hours (mWh).
3.10
reference test current
It
test current with the same value as the rated capacity (C)
Note: It is expressed in ampere (A) or milliampere (mA).
3.11
upper limited charging voltage
Uup
maximum safe charging voltage that the cell or battery can withstand, as specified by the manufacturer
Note: Refer to Annex A for definitions 3.11 to 3.26.
3.12
over voltage for charge protection
Ucp
voltage to activate the protection circuit for charging under high voltage, as specified by manufacturer
3.13
limited charging voltage
Ucl
rated maximum charging voltage of a cell or battery as specified by the manufacturer
3.14
end of discharge voltage
Ude
voltage at the end of discharge of a cell or battery as recommended by the manufacturer
3.15
low voltage for discharge protection
Udp
voltage to activate the protection circuit for discharging under low voltage, as specified by the manufacturer
3.16
discharge cut-off voltage
Udo
minimum load voltage for safe discharge of the cell or battery as specified by the manufacturer
3.17
maximum charging current
Icm
maximum constant-current charging current as specified by the manufacturer
3.18
over current for charge protection
Icp
current to the activate the protection circuit for charging at high current, as specified by the manufacturer
3.19
recommendation charging current
Icr
constant-current charging current recommended by the manufacturer
3.20
maximum discharging current
Idm
maximum continual discharging current specified by the manufacturer
3.21
over current for discharge protection
Idp
current to activate the protection circuit for discharging at high current, as specified by the manufacturer
3.22
recommendation discharging current
Idr
continual discharging current recommended by the manufacturer
3.23
upper limited charging temperature
Tcm
maximum temperature at which a cell or battery can be charged, as specified by the manufacturer
3.24
lower limited charging temperature
Tcl
minimum temperature at which a cell or battery can be charged, as specified by the manufacturer
3.25
upper limited discharging temperature
Tdm
maximum temperature at which a cell or battery can be discharged, as specified by the manufacturer
3.26
lower limited discharging temperature
Tdl
minimum temperature at which a cell or battery can be discharged, as specified by the manufacturer
3.27
allowable maximum surface temperature
Tmax
allowable maximum surface temperature of a cell or battery under normal operating conditions, as specified by the manufacturer
Note 1: Generally, Tmax is neither less than the "upper limited charging temperature" nor "upper limited discharging temperature".
Note 2: Tmax is defined to limit the surface temperature of a cell or battery in the overall temperature rise test.
3.28
leakage
visible leakage of liquid electrolyte
[Source: GB/T 28164-2011, 1.3.9]
3.29
explosion
violent rupture of cell enclosure or battery enclosure, resulting in the ejection of the main component
[Source: GB/T 28164-2011, 1.3.12]
3.30
fire
flame from a cell or battery
Note: Flame is produced by combustion, which is a chemical reaction that emits light and heat. Sparks cannot be called flames.
[Source: GB/T 28164-2011, 1.3.13, modified]
3.31
fire enclosure
component used to minimize the spread of combustion or flame
3.32
type test
test(s) carried out on representative sample(s) for the purpose of determining whether its (their) design and manufacture meet the requirements of this document
[Source: GB 4943.1-2022, 3.3.6.15, modified]
Foreword III
Introduction VI
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Test conditions
4.1 Applicability of tests
4.2 Environmental conditions of tests
4.3 Parameters measurement tolerances
4.4 Temperature measurement method
4.5 Charging and discharging procedures for tests
4.6 Simulated faults or abnormal operating conditions
4.7 Type tests
5 General safety requirements
5.1 General safety considerations
5.2 Safe operating parameters
5.3 Marking and warning instructions
5.4 Safety-critical components
6 Electrical safety tests for cells
6.1 External short circuit at high temperature
6.2 Over charge
6.3 Forced discharge
7 Environmental safety tests for cells
7.1 Low air pressure
7.2 Temperature cycling
7.3 Vibration
7.4 Acceleration impact
7.5 Drop
7.6 Extrusion
7.7 Impact with weight
7.8 Thermal abuse
7.9 Combustion jet
8 Environmental safety tests for batteries
8.1 Low air pressure
8.2 Temperature cycling
8.3 Vibration
8.4 Acceleration impact
8.5 Drop
8.6 Stress relief
8.7 Use at high temperature
8.8 Washing
8.9 Flame retardance requirements
9 Electrical safety test for batteries
9.1 General
9.2 Over voltage charging
9.3 Over current charging
9.4 Low voltage discharging
9.5 Over current discharging
9.6 External short circuit
9.7 Reverse charging
10 Safety requirements for battery protection circuits
10.1 Over voltage charge protection
10.2 Over current charge protection
10.3 Low voltage discharge protection
10.4 Over current discharge protection
10.5 Short circuit protection
11 Safety requirement for system protection circuits
11.1 Charging voltage control
11.2 Charging current control
11.3 Discharging voltage control
11.4 Discharging current control
11.5 Control of charging and discharging temperatures
12 Consistency requirements
12.1 General requirements
12.2 Test requirements
Annex A (Informative) Examples of operating ranges
Annex B (Nominative) Test sequences
Annex C (Normative) Test equipment and measuring instruments
Annex D (Informative) Reference standards for safety-critical components
Annex E (Normative) Washing test
Annex F (Normative) Flammability test method
Annex G (Normative) Flame retardancy test method for wires
Bibliography
1 Scope
This document specifies the safety requirements and test methods for lithium ion cells and batteries used in portable electronic equipments.
This document is applicable to lithium ion cells and batteries used in portable electronic equipments (hereinafter referred to as cells and batteries). Examples of portable electronic equipments falling within the scope of this document are as follows:
a) Portable office supplies: laptops, tablets, etc.;
b) Mobile communication products: mobile phones, cordless phones, walkie-talkies, etc.;
c) Portable audio/video products: portable televisions, portable audio/video players, cameras, video cameras, recording pens, Bluetooth headsets, portable speakers, etc.;
d) Other portable products: electronic navigation planners, digital photo frames, game consoles, e-books, mobile power supplies, portable energy storage power supplies, portable projectors, wearable devices, etc.
This document can serve as a reference for lithium ion cells and batteries for similar purposes to the above examples.
Additional requirements may be posed onto lithium ion cells or batteries used in portable electronic equipments for special occasions such as vehicles, ships, and aircrafts and for special fields such as medical treatment, mining and submarine operations.
This document is not applicable to lithium ion cells and batteries used in electronic cigarettes.
2 Normative references
The following documents contain requirements which, through reference in this text, constitute indispensable requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 2423.5 Environmental testing - Part 2: Test methods - Test Ea and guidance: Shock
GB/T 2423.10 Environmental testing - Part 2: Test methods - Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal)
GB/T 2423.21 Environmental testing for electric and electronic products - Part 2: Test methods - Test M: Low air pressure
GB/T 2423.22 Environmental testing - Part 2: Tests methods - Test N: Change of temperature
GB 4943.1-2022 Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment - Part 1: Safety requirements
GB/T 5169.5-2020 Fire hazard testing for electric and electronic products - Part 5: Test flames - Needle-flame test method - Apparatus, confirmatory test arrangement and guidance
GB/T 5330-2003 Industrial woven metal wire cloth (square opening series)
GB/T 6005-2008 Test sieves - Metal wire cloth perforated metal plate and electroformed sheet - Nominal sizes of openings
GB/T 17626.2 Electromagnetic compatibility - Testing and measurement techniques - Electrostatic discharge immunity test
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
lithium ion cell
device that realizes mutual conversion between chemical energy and electrical energy by lithium ion moving between positive and negative electrodes, and is designed to be rechargeable
Note: This device consists of an assembly of electrodes, separators, electrolyte, container, terminals, etc.
3.2
lithium ion battery
assembly ready for use which comprises one or more lithium ion cells and has protection circuit
Note 1: The protection circuit may be independent or in the charger or the electronic equipment (including its accessories). See Clause 11 for testing of a protection circuit in the charger or electronic equipment (including its accessories).
Note 2: Lithium ion batteries may also contain encapsulating materials, connectors, protective devices and other components or materials.
3.3
portable electronic equipment
mobile electronic equipment not exceeding 18kg designed to be carried frequently by the users
3.4
hand-held electronic equipment
portable electronic equipment that needs to be held by hand in normal use
3.5
user replaceable battery
lithium ion battery used in portable electronic equipment and allowing users to replace directly
3.6
non-user replaceable cell/battery
lithium ion cell or battery that is built into a portable electronic equipment and does not allow the user to replace directly
3.7
nominal voltage
suitable approximate value used to indicate the voltage of a cell or battery
3.8
rated capacity
C
capacity of a cell or battery as indicated by the manufacturer
Note: It is expressed in ampere-hours (Ah) or milliampere-hours (mAh).
3.9
nominal energy
energy value of a cell or battery determined under specified conditions, as indicated by the manufacturer
Note: It is obtained by multiplying the nominal voltage by the rated capacity and may be rounded up, expressed in watt-hours (Wh) or milliwatt-hours (mWh).
3.10
reference test current
It
test current with the same value as the rated capacity (C)
Note: It is expressed in ampere (A) or milliampere (mA).
3.11
upper limited charging voltage
Uup
maximum safe charging voltage that the cell or battery can withstand, as specified by the manufacturer
Note: Refer to Annex A for definitions 3.11 to 3.26.
3.12
over voltage for charge protection
Ucp
voltage to activate the protection circuit for charging under high voltage, as specified by manufacturer
3.13
limited charging voltage
Ucl
rated maximum charging voltage of a cell or battery as specified by the manufacturer
3.14
end of discharge voltage
Ude
voltage at the end of discharge of a cell or battery as recommended by the manufacturer
3.15
low voltage for discharge protection
Udp
voltage to activate the protection circuit for discharging under low voltage, as specified by the manufacturer
3.16
discharge cut-off voltage
Udo
minimum load voltage for safe discharge of the cell or battery as specified by the manufacturer
3.17
maximum charging current
Icm
maximum constant-current charging current as specified by the manufacturer
3.18
over current for charge protection
Icp
current to the activate the protection circuit for charging at high current, as specified by the manufacturer
3.19
recommendation charging current
Icr
constant-current charging current recommended by the manufacturer
3.20
maximum discharging current
Idm
maximum continual discharging current specified by the manufacturer
3.21
over current for discharge protection
Idp
current to activate the protection circuit for discharging at high current, as specified by the manufacturer
3.22
recommendation discharging current
Idr
continual discharging current recommended by the manufacturer
3.23
upper limited charging temperature
Tcm
maximum temperature at which a cell or battery can be charged, as specified by the manufacturer
3.24
lower limited charging temperature
Tcl
minimum temperature at which a cell or battery can be charged, as specified by the manufacturer
3.25
upper limited discharging temperature
Tdm
maximum temperature at which a cell or battery can be discharged, as specified by the manufacturer
3.26
lower limited discharging temperature
Tdl
minimum temperature at which a cell or battery can be discharged, as specified by the manufacturer
3.27
allowable maximum surface temperature
Tmax
allowable maximum surface temperature of a cell or battery under normal operating conditions, as specified by the manufacturer
Note 1: Generally, Tmax is neither less than the "upper limited charging temperature" nor "upper limited discharging temperature".
Note 2: Tmax is defined to limit the surface temperature of a cell or battery in the overall temperature rise test.
3.28
leakage
visible leakage of liquid electrolyte
[Source: GB/T 28164-2011, 1.3.9]
3.29
explosion
violent rupture of cell enclosure or battery enclosure, resulting in the ejection of the main component
[Source: GB/T 28164-2011, 1.3.12]
3.30
fire
flame from a cell or battery
Note: Flame is produced by combustion, which is a chemical reaction that emits light and heat. Sparks cannot be called flames.
[Source: GB/T 28164-2011, 1.3.13, modified]
3.31
fire enclosure
component used to minimize the spread of combustion or flame
3.32
type test
test(s) carried out on representative sample(s) for the purpose of determining whether its (their) design and manufacture meet the requirements of this document
[Source: GB 4943.1-2022, 3.3.6.15, modified]
Contents of GB 31241-2022
Foreword III
Introduction VI
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Test conditions
4.1 Applicability of tests
4.2 Environmental conditions of tests
4.3 Parameters measurement tolerances
4.4 Temperature measurement method
4.5 Charging and discharging procedures for tests
4.6 Simulated faults or abnormal operating conditions
4.7 Type tests
5 General safety requirements
5.1 General safety considerations
5.2 Safe operating parameters
5.3 Marking and warning instructions
5.4 Safety-critical components
6 Electrical safety tests for cells
6.1 External short circuit at high temperature
6.2 Over charge
6.3 Forced discharge
7 Environmental safety tests for cells
7.1 Low air pressure
7.2 Temperature cycling
7.3 Vibration
7.4 Acceleration impact
7.5 Drop
7.6 Extrusion
7.7 Impact with weight
7.8 Thermal abuse
7.9 Combustion jet
8 Environmental safety tests for batteries
8.1 Low air pressure
8.2 Temperature cycling
8.3 Vibration
8.4 Acceleration impact
8.5 Drop
8.6 Stress relief
8.7 Use at high temperature
8.8 Washing
8.9 Flame retardance requirements
9 Electrical safety test for batteries
9.1 General
9.2 Over voltage charging
9.3 Over current charging
9.4 Low voltage discharging
9.5 Over current discharging
9.6 External short circuit
9.7 Reverse charging
10 Safety requirements for battery protection circuits
10.1 Over voltage charge protection
10.2 Over current charge protection
10.3 Low voltage discharge protection
10.4 Over current discharge protection
10.5 Short circuit protection
11 Safety requirement for system protection circuits
11.1 Charging voltage control
11.2 Charging current control
11.3 Discharging voltage control
11.4 Discharging current control
11.5 Control of charging and discharging temperatures
12 Consistency requirements
12.1 General requirements
12.2 Test requirements
Annex A (Informative) Examples of operating ranges
Annex B (Nominative) Test sequences
Annex C (Normative) Test equipment and measuring instruments
Annex D (Informative) Reference standards for safety-critical components
Annex E (Normative) Washing test
Annex F (Normative) Flammability test method
Annex G (Normative) Flame retardancy test method for wires
Bibliography
