NEMA publishes safety standard for batteries.
Press Release Summary:
Covering Li-Ion and nickel chemistries, ANSI C18.2M, Part 2-2007 defines performance requirements for portable, rechargeable cells and batteries to ensure their safe operation under variety of user and environmental conditions. Complementary document, ANSI C18.2M Part 1-2007, covers specification sheets for various types of cells and batteries.
Original Press Release:
NEMA Publishes ANSI C18.2M, Part 2-2007 for Portable Rechargeable Cells and Batteries - Safety Standard
ROSSLYN, Va., July 2, 2007-The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published ANSI C18.2M, Part 2-2007 for Portable Rechargeable Cells and Batteries-Safety Standard. This standard defines performance requirements for portable, rechargeable cells and batteries to ensure their safe operation under a variety of user and environmental conditions. It is specific to two distinct chemistry systems: lithium ion and nickel. In light of current market conditions, lead acid batteries are no longer included.
ANSI C18.2M Part 1-2007 for Portable Rechargeable Cells and Batteries-General and Specifications is a separate yet complementary document that covers specification sheets for various types of cells and batteries.
According to S. Keel Kelly, chairman of ANSI C18-5 subcommittee on safety standards, the current revision covers the two chemistry systems in separate and distinct sections that reflect the technical requirements and testing conditions for each. "The formatting used in this revision makes it more user-friendly from the perspective of both designers of battery compartments, and for end users of the batteries," Kelly said.
Although this is a safety standard, Kelly cautioned that there is no absolute safety. "Safety is a balance between freedom from risk of harm and the demands that a product must meet," he said. "Even at the highest level of safety, any product can only be relatively safe. When this standard is followed on a judicious basis, it provides reasonably consistent benchmarks for safety."
The contents and scope of ANSI C18.2M, Part 2-2007 may be viewed, or a hard copy or electronic copy purchased for $37.00, by visiting NEMA's website at www.nema.org/stds/c18-2m2.cfm, or by contacting IHS at 800-854-7179 (within the U.S.), 303-397-7956 (international), 303-397-2740 (fax).
NEMA is the trade association of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end-use of electricity. These products are used in utility, medical imaging, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. Domestic production of electrical products sold worldwide exceeds $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing, Sao Paulo, and Mexico City.
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