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Climate testing of batteries – Battery testing
Climate testing of batteries is performed to evaluate or determine that a battery can operate in and handle different climates. These tests are essential to ensure battery performance and to fulfil specific requirements for the battery's intended use.
What is climate testing of batteries?
Climate testing of batteries is a testing method that examines how a battery performs under different climate conditions. It involves testing the battery for various parameters such as temperature and humidity. These parameters may also be combined with other factors such as vibration, electrical cycling, internal cooling or other factors that may affect the battery's performance, reliability and safety.
Why should I climate test batteries?
Climate testing of batteries is essential to ensure that batteries fulfil the requirements of their application area. There may be different requirements in different markets. For example, one market may require cycling between high and low temperatures, while another requires moisture testing. Climate testing of batteries prevents problems such as reduced capacity, overheating, leakage or fire. Climate testing also provides valuable input to the design and construction of the battery.
What does climate testing of batteries mean?
Climate testing of batteries involves placing a battery in equipment that can produce low or high temperatures with (or without) increased (or decreased) relative humidity. A battery is typically exposed to temperature changes within a temperature range of -40 °C to +72°C. The battery may spend several hours in each extreme temperature during each cycle, lasting from a few days to several weeks. Sometimes, the temperature change can also include a humidity cycle, which means that the relative humidity of the surrounding environment changes, usually between 10% RH and 98% RH.
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Battery performance is measured and verified.
Battery performance is measured and verified before, during, and after the climate test. Relevant measurements are voltage, temperature, impedance, self-discharge and battery reliability. These measurements and verifications are done to evaluate and to ensure that specific requirements are met. Inspections are made along the process. These range from visual inspections to more detailed ones, where the test object is taken apart to examine if there is internal damage on the battery.
Climate testing of batteries at RISE
We can help you with climate testing of batteries for several different applications. Climate testing is carried out in climate test cabinets and walk-in chambers, depending on the battery's dimensions and mass. RISE performs climate testing on batteries according to several international standards. We also test according to customer requests, adapting the test to your company's requested specifications and requirements. Our experts help you through the entire process, from planning, implementing and analysing the climate tests.
Climate testing is included in these standards
RISE is an accredited lab according to ISO 17025. We are also accredited for several standards in the IEC 60068 series for our methods in environmental resistance for dry heat, cold, temperature cycling and temperature cycling with humidity.
We are accredited against several battery standards, including UNECE R100, which specifies the requirements for rechargeable battery systems in motor vehicles. Vibration testing is also included in UN38.3, which relates to the transport of dangerous goods, a regulation that must be met to transport lithium-ion batteries.
Results from the climate testing
The results from the climate tests provide valuable information on how the batteries perform in different climate conditions. Your results can be delivered in a written report, as analysis of data or in the form of test data.
The climate test results give important input to:
- Evaluation and comparsion of different types of batteries or suppliers
- To verify that the batteries meet the requirements
- To identify any deficiencies or risks of the batteries
- To be able to optimize the use and/or maintenance of the batteries.
Our other safety-critical testing
Would you like to know more about our safety critical testing? You find more information on our page about safety-critical battery testing.
Or visit our area page for batteries at RISE.
