scope:

This publication applies to portable rechargeable, or secondary, lithium cells and batteries¹.

This document covers secondary lithium cells and batteries with a range of chemistries. Each electrochemical couple has a characteristic voltage range over which it releases its electrical capacity, a characteristic nominal voltage, and a characteristic final voltage during discharge. See Table 1 for further details of the electrochemical systems included in the scope of this Standard.

This document defines a minimum required level of performance and a Standardized methodology by which testing is performed, and the results of this testing reported to the user.

Users will be able to establish the viability of commercially available cells and batteries via the declared specification and thus be able to select the cell or battery best suited for their intended application.

Part 2 of this Standard describes all safety tests and requirements.

Purpose

The purpose of this publication is:

a. To ensure the electrical and physical interchangeability of products from different manufacturers;

b. To minimize the proliferation of cell and battery types;

c. To define Standard performance tests and provide guidance for their assessment; and,

d. To provide guidance to consumers, manufacturers, designers, and other end users.

This is achieved by specifying designations, dimensions, polarity, terminals, markings, test conditions, and procedures.

¹ Unless otherwise noted, the word "battery" is used to refer to either cell or battery or both in the remainder of this document.