IEC TR 62660-4:2017

Overview

IEC TR 62660-4:2017 is a Technical Report from the IEC that provides candidate alternative test methods for the internal short circuit (ISC) test referenced in IEC 62660-3:2016. Its purpose is to supply test data and practical procedures to simulate an internal short circuit caused by conductive-particle contamination inside secondary lithium‑ion cells and cell blocks used for the propulsion of electric road vehicles (EV), including BEV and HEV. The report is intended for pouch and prismatic chemistries (note: cylindrical cells are excluded).

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability: Alternative ISC methods to supplement the IEC 62660-3 ISC requirement (6.4.4.2.2), applicable to cells and cell blocks for vehicle propulsion.
• Test method structure: Detailed sections for test preparation, test set-up, test execution, and acceptance criteria. A recommended specifications table and examples of test setups are provided.
• Example apparatus and setups: Illustrative setups (e.g., ceramic nail with Ni tip) and wiring/measurement schematics are included to demonstrate practical implementations.
• Data and evaluation: Annex A contains test data, voltage and temperature plots, and tabulated ISC test results to support method validation and interpretation.
• Safety and facility requirements: Tests are to be carried out in facilities capable of containing hazardous reactions (up to explosion) with trained personnel; alternative methods are intended where the IEC 62619 open‑cell procedure may be impractical.
• General provisions: Conditions under which alternative methods may be used must be agreed between customer and supplier (e.g., ensuring case deformation does not thermally/electrically bias the ISC).

Applications and who uses it

IEC TR 62660-4 is primarily useful for:

• Battery manufacturers validating cell safety against internal contamination-driven short circuits.
• Automotive OEMs and battery pack integrators specifying supplier acceptance tests for EV/HEV propulsion cells.
• Independent test laboratories implementing alternative ISC protocols where disassembly-based methods are undesirable.
• Safety engineers and certification bodies seeking documented test data and accepted alternative procedures to complement IEC 62660-3 compliance strategies.

Practical uses include method selection and validation, test-lab protocol development, supplier–customer agreements on acceptable ISC procedures, and risk assessment for cell-level failure modes.

Related standards

• IEC 62660-3:2016 - Secondary lithium‑ion cells for propulsion of electric road vehicles - Part 3: Safety requirements (reference for ISC requirements).
• IEC 62619:2017 - Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries (basis for the original ISC method).

Keywords: IEC TR 62660-4:2017, internal short circuit test, lithium-ion cells, EV battery safety, alternative test methods, IEC 62660-3, IEC 62619.