ASTM F3005-14a

Standard Specification for Batteries for Use in Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)

ABSTRACT
This standard specifies the requirements for batteries used in small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS). It covers the standard terminology for sUAS as well as the requirements with respect to cells, mechanical design and assembly, electrical design, and maintenance of the pack and the recording of maintenance data.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard defines the requirements for batteries used in small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS).  
1.2 This standard does not define requirements for the systems in which sUAS battery packs may be utilized.  
1.3 This standard is subordinate to Specification F2910.  
1.4 If allowed by a nation’s GAA, certain sUAS may be exempt from this standard and may use commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) batteries in non-safety-critical payloads (lithium chemistries may not be exempted). Air transport regulations still shall be adhered to when air transport is used for COTS cells or batteries in bulk.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2014
• ICS: 49.050 - Aerospace engines and propulsion systems
• Technical Committee: F38 - Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• Drafting Committee: F38.01 - Airworthiness

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:F3005 −14a
Standard Specification for
Batteries for Use in Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
1
(sUAS)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3005; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 Thisstandarddefinestherequirementsforbatteriesused
3.1 Definitions and Acronyms—The standard terminology
in small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS).
forsUASasdefinedinhigherlevelstandardsappliesingeneral
to this standard except as noted below.
1.2 This standard does not define requirements for the
systems in which sUAS battery packs may be utilized. 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 C-rating, n—maximum steady-state current (amps) at
1.3 This standard is subordinate to Specification F2910.
which the battery cell or pack may be discharged without
1.4 If allowed by a nation’s GAA, certain sUAS may be
having pack temperature exceed the CTT of its constituent
exempt from this standard and may use commercial off-the-
cell(s) or result in a reduction in cell life. C-rating is expressed
shelf (COTS) batteries in non-safety-critical payloads (lithium
as a multiple of the capacity. For example, a battery with a
chemistries may not be exempted). Air transport regulations
nominal capacity of 4Ah may have a C-rating of 5C, meaning
still shall be adhered to when air transport is used for COTS
that 20 A would be considered its maximum safe current.
cells or batteries in bulk.
3.2.2 characteristic thermal threshold, CTT, n—the tem-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
perature beyond which a rechargeable battery cell of particular
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
chemistry and structure will exhibit permanent deterioration of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
its critical performance parameters as evident upon subsequent
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
charge/discharge cycles. Cell capacity and internal resistance
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
are critical performance parameters. CTTis rated at both upper
and lower thresholds.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.3 depth of discharge, DOD, n—ratio of cell or pack
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
capacity expended relative to its nominal capacity.
F2910 Specification for Design and Construction of a Small
3.2.4 pack, n—a single cell or composition of battery cells
Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)
connected in series or in parallel or both plus monitoring
2.2 Other Standards:
electronics, structure, and connector(s).
ANSI/ASQ Z1.4-2008 Sampling Procedures and Tables for
3
3.2.5 pack assembler, n—that supplier which performs the
Inspection by Attributes
4
manufacturing processes that integrate the essential compo-
UL 1642 Standard for Lithium Batteries
nentsintoafunctionalpack.Intheeventthatmultiplesuppliers
are involved in the assembly process, the pack assembler is the
supplier that performs the final electrical connection(s). One
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F38 on
supplier may weld solderable tabs to a batch of cells, a second
UnmannedAircraftSystemsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeF38.01
on Airworthiness. supplier may connect circuitry, wiring and a connector, and yet
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2014.PublishedJuly2014.Originallyapproved
a third may install the assembly in a plastic housing. In this
in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as F3005 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/
example, the second supplier would be the pack assembler.
F3005-14A.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3.2.6 shall versus should versus may, v—use of the word
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
“shall” implies that a procedure or statement is mandatory and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
must be followed to comply with this standard, “should”
the ASTM website.
3
Available from American Society for Quality (ASQ), 600 N. Plankinton Ave.,
implies recommended, and “may” implies optional at the
Milwaukee, WI 53203, http://www.asq.org.
discretion of the supplier, manufacturer, or operator. Since
4
Applicable only to 5.1 on cell suppliers.
“shall” statements are requirements, they include sufficient
Available from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), 2600 N.W. Lake Rd., Camas,
WA 98607-8542, http://www.ul.com. detail needed to define compliance (for example, threshold
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F3005 − 14 F3005 − 14a
Standard Specification for
Batteries for Use in Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
1
(sUAS)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3005; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This standard defines the requirements for batteries used in small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS).
1.2 This standard does not define requirements for the systems in which sUAS battery packs may be utilized.
1.3 This standard is subordinate to Specification F2910.
1.4 If allowed by a nation’s GAA, certain sUAS may be exempt from this standard and may use commercial off-the-shelf
(COTS) batteries. batteries in non-safety-critical payloads (lithium chemistries may not be exempted). Air transport regulations still
shall be adhered to when air transport is used for COTS cells or batteries in bulk.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F2910 Specification for Design, Construction, and Test of a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)
2.2 Other Standards:
3
ANSI/ASQ Z1.4-2008 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes
4
UL 1642 Standard for Lithium Batteries
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions and Acronyms—The standard terminology for sUAS as defined in higher level standards applies in general to
this standard except as noted below.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 C-rating, n—maximum steady-state current (amps) at which the battery cell or pack may be discharged without having
pack temperature exceed the temperature that results in permanent damage, loss of capacity or CTT of its constituent cell(s) or
result in a reduction in cell life. C-rating is expressed as a multiple of the capacity. For example, a battery with a nominal capacity
of 4 Ah may have a C-rating of 5C, meaning that 20 A would be considered its maximum safe current.
3.2.2 characteristic thermal threshold, CTT, n—the temperature beyond which a rechargeable battery cell of particular
chemistry and structure will exhibit permanent deterioration of its critical performance parameters as evident upon subsequent
charge/discharge cycles. Cell capacity and internal resistance are critical performance parameters. CTT is rated at both upper and
lower thresholds.
3.2.3 depth of discharge, DOD, n—ratio of cell or pack capacity expended relative to its nominal capacity.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F38 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F38.01 on
Airworthiness.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2014June 1, 2014. Published February 2014July 2014. Originally approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as
F3005 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/F3005-14.10.1520/F3005-14A.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American Society for Quality (ASQ), 600 N. Plankinton Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203, http://www.asq.org.
4
Applicable only to 5.1 on cell suppliers.
Available from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), 2600 N.W. Lake Rd., Camas, WA 98607-8542, http://www.ul.com.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F3005 − 14a
3.2.4 pack, n—a single cell or composition of battery cells connected in series or in parallel or both plus monitoring electronics,
structure, and connector(s).
3.2.5 pack assembler, n—that supplier which performs the manufacturing processes whichthat integrate the essential
components into a functional pack. In the event that multiple suppliers are involved in the assembly process, the pack assembler
is thatthe supplier whichthat performs the final electrical connection(s). One supplier may weld solderable tabs to a batch of cells,
a second supplier may connect circuitry, wiring and a conne
...