It is a bit encouraging to see the relevant standards that are being revised in light of the incidents and recalls. It seems the recall does not help remove the problem completely. The explosion continues after the recall.
For example, LG appointed the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute to find out the root cause of their battery pack caught fire and the published result was unknown. They said that the battery exploded in unusual heat and pressure circumstances. How come did the normal customers operated the product in unusual heat and pressure circumstances? I also watched some video clips that showed no explosion when the battery pack was dropped from 2nd floor and knocked by the hammer. I encountered a couple of battery packs that caught fire while they were not being used at night. The investigation revealed that it is normal in this type of battery cell and cell manufacturers admit that the failure rate is still very low as compared with other safety failures. I do hope the Japanese government and other governments force the trading companies to find out the root cause and fix it permanently. Otherwise, what is the point to revise the relevant standards that set out the MINIMUM safety requirements! Scott From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Brian O'Connell Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 7:22 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: UL 2054 testing for lithium batteries Python 2.4.2 following from CSDS proposal for UL 1642 Subject 1642 Bulletin Dated: May 23, 2008 SUMMARY OF TOPICS The following is being proposed for preliminary review and comment only: 1. For Preliminary Review Only: Replace the Term "Component Cell" with The Term "Cell" in 21.2 2. For Preliminary Review Only: Revise "Fully Discharged" and Add "Completely Discharged" to the Glossary 3. For Preliminary Review Only: Removal of Redundant Tests and Clarification of User Replaceable 4. For Preliminary Review Only: Removal of Redundant Information for Sample Requirements 5. For Preliminary Review Only: Temperature Monitoring for Technician Safety 6. For Preliminary Review Only: Clarification of the Short Circuit Test 7. For Preliminary Review Only: Clarification of the Abnormal Charging Test 8. For Preliminary Review Only: Clarification of "Ultimate Results Criteria" 9. For Preliminary Review Only: Criteria for Crush Test 10. For Preliminary Review Only: Conversion to SI Units and Inclusion of Tolerances 11. For Preliminary Review Only: Correction of Units in Temperature Measurement and Additional Criteria for Heating Test for Additional Battery Chemistries 12. For Preliminary Review Only: New Section 22 for Primary Battery Markings 13. For Preliminary Review Only: New Section 23 for Secondary Battery Markings 14. For Preliminary Review Only: Revise Appendix A 15. For Preliminary Review Only: Revise 2.3.2 to Include an Exception for PTCs Explaining How to Evaluate an Internal PTC Not Evaluated to UL 1434 Requirements following from CSDS proposal for UL2054 Subject 2054 Bulletin Dated: May 23, 2008 SUMMARY OF TOPICS The following is being proposed for preliminary review and comment only: 1. For Preliminary Review Only: Replace "Component Cell" with "Cell" Throughout the Standard 2. For Preliminary Review Only: Deletion of "User Replaceable" for Secondary Lithium Cells 3. For Preliminary Review Only: Addition of the Definition for "Completely Discharged" and "Enclosure" to the Glossary; Revision to the Definition of "Casing" for Clarification 4. For Preliminary Review Only: Battery Construction 5. For Preliminary Review Only: Editorial Changes for 6.3 6. For Preliminary Review Only: Short-Circuit Test 7. For Preliminary Review Only: Abnormal Charging Test 8. For Preliminary Review Only: Abusive Overcharge Test 9. For Preliminary Review Only: Forced-Discharge Test 10. For Preliminary Review Only: Clarification of Limited Power 11. For Preliminary Review Only: Addition of Battery Pack Component Temperature Test as New Section 13A and Addition of Battery Pack Surface Temperature Test as New Section 13B 12. For Preliminary Review Only: Criteria for Crush Test 13. For Preliminary Review Only: Conversion to SI Units and Inclusion of Tolerances 14. For Preliminary Review Only: Tests to Evaluate Battery Pack Metallic Enclosures 15. For Preliminary Review Only: Battery Enclosure Tests 16. For Preliminary Review Only: Mold Stress Release Test 17. For Preliminary Review Only: Drop Impact Testing for Low Temperatures 18. For Preliminary Review Only: Battery Storage Temperature 19. For Preliminary Review Only: Marking and Instructions 20. For Preliminary Review Only: New Section 26 for Markings and Instructions for Secondary Lithium Battery Packs 21. For Preliminary Review Only: Addition of Appendix A My comments: UL 1642 provides test requirement for following electrical tests: Short-Circuit at room and elevated temps Abnormal Charge Forced Discharge UL 1642 provides test requirement for following mechanical tests Crush Impact Shock Vibration UL 1642 provides test requirement for following environmental tests Heating Temperature Cycling Altitude Simulation So what other type tests should be added ? I feel it is the tester and/or the person that 'designs' the test that cannot be relied upon, not necessarily the standard. luck, Brian From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Jim Eichner Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 3:42 PM To: [email protected] Cc: Jim Eichner Subject: RE: UL 2054 testing for lithium batteries Does anybody have any insight into the changes that those standards are going to make in light of the incidents and recalls? If we can't rely on UL2054's requirements, and want to apply additional testing or requirements to UL2054 battery packs, then it would be helpful to know where that standard is headed. Jim Eichner, P.Eng. Compliance Engineering Manager Xantrex Technology Inc. e-mail: [email protected] web: www.xantrex.com - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. 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