Issue of UL 1642 new revised version – Heavy impact replacement test for pouch cell,
cell,

▍What is KC?

Since 25^th Aug., 2008，Korea Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) announced that the National Standard Committee will conduct a new national unified certification mark — named KC mark replacing Korean Certification during the time between Jul. 2009 and Dec. 2010. Electrical Appliances safety certification scheme (KC Certification) is a mandatory and self-regulatory safety confirmation scheme according to Electrical Appliances Safety Control Act, a scheme which certified safety of manufacture and sale. 

The difference between mandatory certification and self-regulatory (voluntary) safety confirmation：

For the safe management of electrical appliances, KC certification is divided into mandatory and self-regulatory  (voluntary) safety certifications as the classification of danger of  product.The subjects of Mandatory certification is applied to electrical appliances which its structures and methods of application may cause serious dangerous results or obstacle such as fire, electric shock. While the subjects of self-regulatory (voluntary) safety certification is applied to electrical appliances which its structures and methods of application can hardly causes serious dangerous results or obstacle such as fire, electric shock. And the danger and obstacle can be prevented by testing the electrical appliances.

▍Who can apply for KC certification：

All legal persons or individuals both at home and abroad who are engaged in manufacturing, assembly, processing of electrical appliance.

▍Scheme and method of safety certification：

Apply for KC certification with product’s model that can be divided into basic model and series model.

In order to clarify model type and design of electrical appliances, an unique product name will be given according to its different function.

▍ KC certification for Lithium battery

1.  KC certification standard for lithium battery：KC62133:2019
2. Product scope of KC certification for lithium battery

A. Secondary lithium batteries for use in portable application or removable devices

B. Cell is not subject to KC certificate whether for sale or assembled in batteries.

C. For batteries used in energy storage device or UPS (uninterruptible power supply), and their power which is greater than 500Wh are beyond the scope.

D. Battery whose volume energy density is lower than 400Wh/L comes into certification scope since 1^st, Apr. 2016.  

▍Why MCM?

● MCM keeps a close cooperation with Korean labs, such as KTR (Korea Testing & Research Institute) and is able to offer the best solutions with high cost performance and Value-added service to clients from the point of lead time, testing process, certification cost.

● KC certification for rechargeable lithium battery can be gained by submitting a CB certificate and convert it into KC certificate. As a CBTL under TÜV Rheinland, MCM can offer reports and certificates which can be applied for conversion of KC certificate directly. And the lead time can be shortened if applying CB and KC at the same time. What’s more, the related price will be more favorable.

A new version of UL 1642 was released. An alternative to heavy impact tests is added for pouch cells. The specific requirements are: For pouch cell with capacity that are greater than 300 mAh, if pass the heavy impact test were not passed, they can be subjected to Section 14A round rod extrusion test.Pouch cell has no hard case, which often leads to cell rupture, tap fracture, debris flying out and other serious damage caused by failure in heavy impact test, and makes it impossible to detect the internal short circuit caused by the design defect or process defect. With round rod crush test, possible defects in the cell can be detected without damaging the cell structure. The revision was made with this situation in consideration.The sample is fully charged as recommended by the manufacturerPlace a sample on a flat surface. Put a round steel rod with a diameter of 25±1mm on the top of the sample. The edge of the rod should be aligned with the top edge of the cell, with the vertical axis perpendicular to the tab (FIG. 1). The length of the rod should be at least 5mm wider than each edge of the testing sample. For cells with positive and negative tabs on opposite sides, each side of the tab needs to be tested. Each side of tab should be tested on different samples.Measurement of thickness (tolerance ±0.1mm) for cells shall be performed prior to testing in accordance with Appendix A of IEC 61960-3 (Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acidic electrolytes – Portable secondary lithium cells and batteries – Part 3: Prismatic and cylindrical lithium secondary cells and batteries)