Introduction to IEC/EN62133 Standard

In March 2013, the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) officially released the 2013 edition of battery safety standard EN 62133. This standard primarily addresses the safety requirements for single battery cells and battery packs containing alkaline or non-acidic electrolytes, as well as portable sealed single battery cells and battery packs. The new standard will replace the 2003 edition, EN 62133:2003. Additionally, CENELEC has set the expiration date for the previous EN 62133 standard. As per the requirement, EN 62133:2003 will be officially withdrawn on January 10, 2016. We remind all battery manufacturers and battery product manufacturers to promptly adopt the new EN 62133:2013 to avoid any impact on the export of battery products to the European region in the future.

Electrical products entering the EU (such as smartphones, tablets, electric toys, power tools, etc.) must comply with the requirements of the EU's New Approach Directives and bear the CE marking. As components of many end products (such as smartphones, electric toys, tablets, etc.), batteries require safety considerations in conjunction with these end products. Therefore, many end product customers, in light of product safety concerns, require their components to also bear the CE marking to ensure their products better meet the relevant directive requirements.

Therefore, if battery products of export companies meet the requirements of the EN62133 standard and bear the CE mark, it will enhance their competitiveness in the market, helping the company to secure a larger market share. The scope of EN62133 products includes portable sealed secondary battery cells and batteries (units) containing alkaline or non-acidic electrolytes.

IEC/EN62133 Cell and Battery Testing Project

 Cell: Continuous low-rate charging, vibration, temperature cycling, external short circuit, drop, impact (collision), thermal misuse (thermal shock), compression, low pressure, overcharge, forced discharge, high-rate charging protection (lithium system), marking and packaging, incorrect installation (nickel system).

Battery: Vibration, Shell Stress under High Temperature, Temperature Cycling, External Short Circuit, Drop, Impact (Collision), Labeling and Packaging, Overcharge (Nickel System).

Several test projects require attention and monitoring.

Compression: This project tests the cells, which is a common routine project, but it specifically requires the compression of both the length and width axes of the square-shaped cells, i.e., the two planes of the cell. Based on testing experience, polymer soft packaging cells sometimes exhibit combustion or explosion during the compression of the width axis (side). Therefore, for polymer soft packaging cells, it is recommended to pay close attention to this project.

2. Continuous Low-Rate Charging: This project focuses on battery cells. The standard requires fully charged cells to be continuously charged according to the manufacturer's specified method for 28 days. This is not commonly seen in other safety standards, as the charging methods prescribed by battery manufacturers are generally constant current and constant voltage charging. This necessitates manufacturers to consider the specified and restricted charging currents, as well as the cut-off voltage at full charge, and to design the cells with the ability to withstand continuous charging when necessary.

IEC/EN 62133 Certification Standard

Scope and Introduction: Safety requirements for rechargeable batteries and battery packs, alkaline or other non-acidic electrolytes, and sealed portable batteries.

Test Projects: Continuous Low-Rate Charging, Vibration, High-Temperature Shell Stress, High-Low Temperature Cycling, Reverse Charging (Nickel), External Short Circuit, Free Fall, Mechanical Impact, Thermal Abuse, Compression, Low Voltage, Over-Charging (Nickel, Lithium Different) Forced Discharge, High-Rate Charging.

Differences between IEC62133 and EN62133

The primary difference between IEC62133 and EN62133 lies in the certifying bodies; EN is the standard of the European Union, while IEC is the international standard. Both involve identical testing contents, including vibration testing, high-temperature shock testing, temperature cycling testing, short-circuit testing, and free-fall testing.

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) was established in 1906, boasting over a century of history. It is the world's first international organization dedicated to electrical and electronic engineering standardization. The IEC's mission is to promote international cooperation in standardization and related issues within the fields of electrical and electronic engineering, enhancing mutual understanding among nations.

EN: European Norm. CENELEC and CEN, along with their joint body CEN/CENELEC, are the primary standard-setting organizations in Europe. CENELEC was established in 1976 in Brussels, Belgium, through the merger of two early institutions. Its mission is to harmonize electrical standards issued by European national standardization bodies and to eliminate technical barriers to trade.

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