Overview
IEC 63057:2020 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that outlines the safety requirements and testing methods for secondary lithium batteries used in road vehicles for applications other than propulsion. This includes safety protocols for both initial and replacement batteries with a maximum rated voltage up to 60 V DC. The standard plays a crucial role in ensuring reliability and minimizing risk in auxiliary automotive applications where lithium batteries are permanently installed.
Key Topics
- Scope: Applies to secondary lithium batteries used in road vehicles for non-propulsion purposes, such as engine starting, lighting, auxiliary equipment, and regenerative braking energy absorption.
- Safety Considerations: Emphasizes risk assessment to prevent hazards like fire and explosion during both intended use and foreseeable misuse. Batteries must incorporate protective measures within construction and during assembly.
- Battery Management Systems (BMS): Specifies functional and design requirements for BMS, focusing on protection against overcharge, overcurrent, excessive temperature, and overdischarge.
- Testing and Performance: Details type tests for batteries, including mechanical shock, vibration, thermal cycling, overcharge, overdischarge, external short-circuit, thermal abuse, crushing, and drop tests with defined acceptance criteria (no fire or explosion).
- Markings and Instructions: Requires proper terminal markings, robust construction, insulation, wiring, and clear safety information for manufacturers and users.
Applications
IEC 63057:2020 is relevant wherever lithium-based rechargeable batteries are used in road vehicles except for driving propulsion. Typical application areas include:
- Start-Stop Systems: Supplying power to start the internal combustion engine.
- Lighting and Electronics: Supporting on-board lighting, infotainment, and auxiliary electronic devices.
- Energy Storage: Absorbing and supplying energy for minor regenerative braking systems.
- Auxiliary Equipment: Powering comfort and safety systems like parking brakes or air conditioning.
By adhering to IEC 63057:2020, manufacturers, integrators, and automotive OEMs can ensure safe installation and long-term reliability of lithium batteries in these non-propulsion contexts, reducing risks for both users and equipment.
Related Standards
- IEC 62619: Specifies safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries for use in industrial applications. Cell-level safety testing referenced in IEC 63057 relies on compliance with IEC 62619.
- IEC 60050-482: International Electrotechnical Vocabulary for terms related to primary and secondary cells and batteries, ensuring consistent use of terminology.
- ISO/IEC Guide 51: Provides guidelines for including safety aspects in standards, forming the basis for hazard and risk analysis.
- ISO 9001: While not specific to batteries, this quality management system standard underpins recommended practices for manufacturing control and safety process documentation.
Practical Value
Complying with IEC 63057:2020 is essential for enhancing battery safety, especially as automotive systems become more electrified. Manufacturers can leverage this standard to:
- Meet global regulatory requirements for automotive lithium battery systems.
- Decrease liability and warranty risks linked to battery-related incidents.
- Benefit from a structured approach for quality control, robust testing, and risk management.
- Assure automotive customers and end-users of product safety and dependability.
- Facilitate market access for battery products by aligning with internationally recognized safety requirements.
In summary, IEC 63057:2020 provides comprehensive guidelines that support the safe and reliable integration of secondary lithium batteries in non-propulsion road vehicle applications, paving the way for safer innovation in automotive electronics and energy systems.