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

▍What is CTIA CERTIFICATION?

CTIA, the abbreviation of Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, is a non-profit civic organization established in 1984 for the purpose of guaranteeing benefit of operators, manufacturers and users. CTIA consists of all U.S. operators and manufacturers from mobile radio services, as well as from wireless data services and products. Supported by FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and Congress, CTIA performs a large part of duties and functions that were used to be conducted by the government. In 1991, CTIA created an unbiased, independent and centralized product evaluation and certification system for wireless industry. Under the system, all wireless products in consumer grade shall take compliance tests and those complying with the relevant standards will be granted to utilize CTIA marking and hit store shelves of North American communication market.

CATL (CTIA Authorized Testing Laboratory) represents labs accredited by CTIA for testing and review. Testing reports issued from CATL would be all approved by CTIA. While other testing reports and results from non-CATL will not be recognized or have no access to CTIA. CATL accredited by CTIA varies in industries and certifications. Only CATL which is qualified for battery compliance test and inspection has access to battery certification for compliance to  IEEE1725.

▍CTIA Battery Testing Standards

a) Certification Requirement for Battery system Compliance to IEEE1725— Applicable to Battery Systems with single cell or multiple cells connected in parallel;

b) Certification Requirement for Battery system Compliance to IEEE1625— Applicable to Battery Systems with multiple cells connected in parallel or in both parallel and series;

Warm tips: Select above certification standards properly for batteries used in mobile phones and computers. Do not misuse IEE1725 for batteries in mobile phones or IEEE1625 for batteries in computers.

▍Why MCM？

● Hard Technology: Since 2014, MCM has been attending battery pack conference held by CTIA in US annually, and is able to obtain latest update and understand new policy trends about CTIA in a more prompt, accurate and active way. 

●Qualification: MCM is CATL accredited by CTIA and is qualified to perform all processes related to certification including testing, factory audit and report uploading.

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.Place 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)