For lithium batteries, there are some popular standards that Battery Lab tests to most often. In this sequel of articles we are going to discuss about these popular standards one by one. Today we are going to discuss about the UN/DOT 38.3 5th editions, Amendment 1: Recommendations on the transport of Dangerous Goods.
UN/DOT 38.3
If you want to ship a
lithium battery almost anywhere in the world by air, vessel, rail, or truck; unless you want to be extremely restricted in your options for transporting your batteries (ground transport as Class 9 Hazardous Goods), you will need to certify that the batteries have passed UN/DOT 38.3.
Found in many countries’ shipment of dangerous goods regulations, this standard is relevant for the transportation safety of all lithium metal and lithium ion cells and batteries
UN/DOT 38.3 is a self-certify standard but because of potential liability issues, most companies choose to use a third party test labs.
UN 38.3 presents a combination of significant environmental, mechanical, and electrical stresses, in sequence (T1-T5):
T1 – Altitude Simulation (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries)
Low pressure testing that simulates unpressurized airplane cargo area at 15,000-meter altitude. After storing batteries at 11.6kPa for &6 hours, these criteria shall be met: no mass loss, leaking, venting, disassembly, rupture or fire, and voltage within 10% of pre-test voltage.
T2 – Thermal Test (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries)
Test covers changes in temperature extremes from -40C to +75C. Batteries are stored for 6 hours at -40C (12 hours for large cells/batteries), then 6 hours at +75C (12 hours for large cells/batteries), for a total of 10 cycles.
T3 – Vibration (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries)
Test simulates vibration during transportation. Test is a Sine Sweep: 7Hz – 200Hz – 7Hz in 15 Minutes; 12 Sweeps (3 hours); 3 mutually perpendicular axes.
T4 – Shock (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries)
Test also simulates vibration during transportation. Test is a Half-Sine pulse: 150G/6ms for small cells/batteries; 50G/11ms for large cells/batteries; 3 pulses per direction; 6 directions (+/-z, +/-x, +/-y).
T5 – External Short Circuit (Primary and Secondary Cells and Batteries)
This test simulates an external short to the terminals of the cell or battery. At temperature of +55C, apply short circuit (<0.1ohm) across terminals. Maintain at least an hour after sample temperature returns to +55 +/-2°C. Pass criteria are: Case temperature does not exceed +170°C and no disassembly, rupture, or fire within 6 hours of test. Fuse, current limiting circuit, and venting mechanism activation are allowable.
T6 – Impact (Primary and Secondary Cells)
This test is only applicable to primary and secondary cells. For cylindrical cells &20mm diameter, it simulates impact to case of cell.
T7 – Overcharge (Secondary Batteries)
This test is for secondary or rechargeable batteries only. It simulates an overcharge condition on a rechargeable battery: 2x the manufacturer’s recommended charge current for 24 hours. Then battery shall be monitored for 7 days for fire or disassembly.
T8 – Forced Discharge (Primary and Secondary Cells)
This testing simulates a forced discharge condition for primary and secondary cells only. Some tests are easier to pass than others. The altitude test is the easiest. The vibration test, on the other hand, is intense and long-running: 3 hours in each of the three cardinal planes. And the T1-T5 sequence typically has a negative cumulative effect.
Before you choose your lithium battery brand, please check carefully about this mandatory standard certification carefully. Choose a popular brand like EverExceed to confirm the authenticity of this standard with confirm reliability.
