Published standards by UL, IEC, and SAE specify environmental tests like: short circuit while hot, heat resistance, temperature cycling, and thermal abuse. Because failure of these tests can produce hazardous results, the test chambers will require proper safety features and considerations.
Test standards for secondary lithium ion battery cells, modules or pack
Battery now become important for electric vehicles, reliability and safety become paramount. The batteries must perform well in hot and cold conditions, while not posing a hazard due to leaking or exploding. Through environment testing with the chambers, the batteries’ ability to withstand environmental extremes and stress can be identified safely.
Because battery failure is a real risk (and sometimes its a desired outcome), environmental chambers need safety systems to protect from harmful explosions and ensure operator safety.
>> Reference: The technical specifications when testing batteries to ensure device safety
The EUCAR (European Council for Automotive R&D) has defined hazard levels to assess the level of danger associated with handling batteries, classifying the hazards presented to batteries, and describing the effects.
As batteries are exposed to the extensive testing detailed in the standards, environmental test chambers must themselves be secure to ensure that if a battery cell, module or battery pack fails, there is no danger to technicians in the facility. A large selection of battery safety options is available and tailored to the battery testing application and hazard level.
The most common safety feature
- - Chamber ventilation blower with vent port— Ventilation purges chamber with ambient air, activated by a gas monitoring system
- - Spark resistant construction— Fan blades and motor port made of spark resistant Aluminium
- - Gas monitor systems (H2 and/or CO)— Monitors the chamber workspace for hazardous gas, includes an alarm and light
- - Nitrogen purge with vent port— Purges nitrogen into chamber to reduce the oxygen content of the workspace air
- - Electromagnetic door lock— Prevent operator access during operation (500 lbs. of holding force)
- - Fire detection system with vent port— Detects fire and shuts down the chamber, includes an alarm and light
- - Product overheat with product sensor— Protects test load from temperatures that are higher than desired
- - Chamber door switch— Inhibits chamber operation if chamber door is open
- - Product drip tray— Removable/replaceable tray to contain any corrosive leaks
- - Reinforced door latch— Designed to withstand pressure increase due to explosion
- - Pressure relief port— Quickly relieves pressure inside of chamber
- - Fire suppression system— Suppresses fire by flooding workspace with CO2, use with fire detection system
- - Port plug restraint— Cover that restrains port plugs from flying out due to over pressurization
Test chambers provided by GPower Vietnam
Reference: Specialized battery testing equipment
