EN IEC 63056:2020

Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes - Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries for use in electrical energy storage systems

IEC 63056:2020 specifies requirements and tests for the product safety of secondary lithium cells and batteries used in electrical energy storage systems (Figure 2) with a maximum DC voltage of 1 500 V (nominal). Basic safety requirements for the secondary lithium cells and batteries used in industrial applications are included in IEC 62619. This document provides additional or specific requirements for electrical energy storage systems. Since this document covers batteries for various electrical energy storage systems, it includes those requirements which are common and minimum to the electrical energy storage systems. Examples of appliances that are within the scope of this document are: • telecommunications, • central emergency lighting and alarm systems, • stationary engine starting, • photovoltaic systems, • home (residential) energy storage systems (HESS), and • large energy storage: on-grid/off-grid. This document applies to cells and batteries for uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). This document does not apply to portable systems 500 Wh or below, which are covered by IEC 61960-3.

Sekundärzellen und -batterien mit alkalischen oder anderen nicht-säurehaltigen Elektrolyten - Sicherheitsanforderungen für Lithium-Sekundärzellen und -batterien für die Verwendung in elektrischen Energiespeichersystemen

Accumulateurs alcalins et autres accumulateurs à électrolyte non acide - Exigences de sécurité pour les accumulateurs au lithium pour utilisation dans des systèmes de stockage d’énergie électrique

L'IEC 63056:2020 spécifie les exigences et les essais pour la sécurité des produits des éléments et des batteries d'accumulateurs au lithium utilisés dans des systèmes de stockage d'énergie électrique (Figure 2) ayant une tension continue maximale de 1 500 V (nominale). L'IEC 62619 comprend les exigences relatives à la sécurité de base des éléments et batteries d'accumulateurs au lithium utilisés dans les applications industrielles. Le présent document inclut des exigences complémentaires ou particulières concernant les systèmes de stockage d'énergie électrique. Étant donné que le présent document couvre les batteries de différents systèmes de stockage d'énergie électrique, elle comprend les exigences minimales et communes aux systèmes de stockage d'énergie électrique. Les types suivants d'appareils sont des exemples d'appareils relevant du domaine d'application du présent document: • télécommunications, • systèmes centraux d'éclairage d'urgence et d'alarme d'urgence, • démarrage de moteur stationnaire, • systèmes photovoltaïques, • systèmes domestiques (résidentiels) de stockage d'énergie électrique (HESS, home energy storage systems), et • stockage d'énergie à grande échelle: sur réseau/hors réseau. Le présent document s'applique aux éléments et batteries conçus pour les alimentations sans interruption (ASI). Le présent document ne s'applique pas aux systèmes portables de 500 Wh ou moins, qui sont couverts par l'IEC 61960-3.

Sekundarni členi in baterije z alkalnimi ali drugimi nekislinskimi elektroliti - Varnostne zahteve za sekundarne litijeve člene in baterije za industrijsko uporabo v električnih napravah za shranjevanje energije

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 21-May-2020
• ICS: 29.220.30 - Alkaline secondary cells and batteries
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 21X - Secondary cells and batteries
• Drafting Committee: IEC/SC 21A - IEC_SC_21A
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 22-May-2020
• Completion Date: 22-May-2020
• Ref Project: SIST EN IEC 63056:2021 - Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes - Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries for use in electrical energy storage systems

Relations

• Corrected By: EN IEC 63056:2020/AC:2021-07 - Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes - Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries for use in electrical energy storage systems
• Effective Date: 06-Jul-2021

Overview

EN IEC 63056:2020 (IEC 63056:2020) defines product safety requirements and type tests for secondary lithium cells and batteries used in electrical energy storage systems (ESS). It covers systems with a maximum nominal DC voltage of 1 500 V and focuses on minimum, common safety requirements across ESS types - from residential home energy storage (HESS) to large on‑grid/off‑grid installations. Portable battery systems of 500 Wh or less are excluded (covered by IEC 61960‑3).

Keywords: EN IEC 63056:2020, IEC 63056, electrical energy storage systems, secondary lithium cells, battery safety requirements, HESS, photovoltaic systems, UPS.

Key topics and technical requirements

EN IEC 63056 supplements the umbrella industrial standard IEC 62619 by specifying ESS‑relevant safety and test criteria. Key technical topics include:

• General safety considerations: insulation, wiring, and overall safety design for stationary ESS.
• Type tests and test conditions: procedures for evaluating product safety under defined conditions.
• Resistance to abnormal heat: thermal abuse and heat‑resistance requirements for cells and battery assemblies.
• Charging-related requirements: limits for peak charging voltage and charging procedures used for tests.
• Electrical protection: requirements for protection against short circuits, reverse connection, and overdischarge control at the battery‑system level.
• Transport and installation protections: casing material, insulation checks, and protections during transport/installation.
• Mechanical robustness: drop tests (whole, edge, corner) and impact locations to assess mechanical damage susceptibility.
• Information for safety and marking: required safety information, labelling and designation for installation, operation and maintenance.

Practical applications

EN IEC 63056 is directly applicable to lithium‑ion battery systems used in:

• Telecommunications power backup
• Central emergency lighting and alarm systems
• Stationary engine starting
• Photovoltaic (solar) energy storage systems
• Home (residential) energy storage systems (HESS)
• Large-scale on‑grid and off‑grid energy storage
• Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)

Who should use this standard

• Battery manufacturers and cell suppliers designing ESS products
• System integrators and ESS designers for residential, commercial, and utility projects
• Test laboratories performing safety and conformity tests
• Certification bodies and regulatory authorities assessing ESS product safety
• OEMs and installers needing compliance guidance for stationary lithium battery systems

Related standards

• IEC 62619 (industrial applications umbrella standard)
• IEC 61960‑3 (portable systems ≤ 500 Wh)
• IEC 62620 (secondary lithium batteries for industrial use)
• Relevant fire and safety test standards (e.g., IEC 60695 series) and equipment standards (e.g., IEC 60950‑1 / IEC 62368‑1)

EN IEC 63056:2020 provides practical, harmonized safety requirements to ensure reliable, safe deployment of secondary lithium batteries across a wide range of electrical energy storage applications.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2021
Sekundarni členi in baterije z alkalnimi ali drugimi nekislinskimi elektroliti -
Varnostne zahteve za sekundarne litijeve člene in baterije za industrijsko uporabo
v električnih napravah za shranjevanje energije
Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes - Safety
requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries for use in electrical energy storage
systems
Accumulateurs alcalins et autres accumulateurs à électrolyte non acide - Exigences de
sécurité pour batteries rechargeables Lithium destinées aux systèmes de stockage
d'énergie électriques .
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 63056:2020
ICS:
29.220.30 Alkalni sekundarni členi in Alkaline secondary cells and
baterije batteries
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 63056

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2020
ICS 29.220.30
English Version
Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-
acid electrolytes - Safety requirements for secondary lithium
cells and batteries for use in electrical energy storage systems
(IEC 63056:2020)
Accumulateurs alcalins et autres accumulateurs à Sekundärzellen und -batterien mit alkalischen oder anderen
électrolyte non acide - Exigences de sécurité pour les nicht säurehaltigen Elektrolyten - Sicherheitsanforderungen
accumulateurs au lithium pour utilisation dans des für Lithium-Sekundärzellen und -batterien für die
systèmes de stockage d'énergie électrique Verwendung in elektrischen Energiespeichersystemen
(IEC 63056:2020) (IEC 63056:2020)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2020-05-01. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 63056:2020 E
European foreword
The text of document 21A/718/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 63056, prepared by SC 21A "Secondary
cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes" of IEC/TC 21 "Secondary cells
and batteries" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2021-02-01
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2023-05-01
document have to be withdrawn
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 63056:2020 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards
indicated:
IEC 61434 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61434
IEC 61960-3 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61960-3
IEC 62368-1:2018 NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 62368-1:2020 (not modified)

Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant
EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available here:
www.cenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60050-482 - International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - -
- Part 482: Primary and secondary cells
and batteries
IEC 60695-10-2 - Fire hazard testing - Part 10-2: Abnormal EN 60695-10-2 -
heat - Ball pressure test method
IEC 60695-11-10 - Fire hazard testing - Part 11-10: Test EN 60695-11-10 -
flames - 50 W horizontal and vertical
flame test methods
IEC 60950-1 (mod) 2005 Information technology equipment - EN 60950-1 2006
Safety - Part 1: General requirements
+ A11 2009
+ A12 2011
+ AC 2011
IEC 62619 - Secondary cells and batteries containing - -
alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes -
Safety requirements for secondary lithium
cells and batteries, for use in industrial
applications
IEC 62620 2014 Secondary cells and batteries containing EN 62620 2015
alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes -
Secondary lithium cells and batteries for
use in industrial applications
ISO/IEC Guide 51 - Safety aspects - Guidelines for their - -
inclusion in standards
IEC 63056 ®
Edition 1.0 2020-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid

electrolytes – Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries

for use in electrical energy storage systems

Accumulateurs alcalins et autres accumulateurs à électrolyte non acide –

Exigences de sécurité pour les accumulateurs au lithium pour utilisation

dans des systèmes de stockage d'énergie électrique

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.220.30 ISBN 978-2-8322-7862-8

– 2 – IEC 63056:2020 © IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Parameter measurement tolerances . 9
5 General safety considerations . 10
5.1 General . 10
5.2 Insulation and wiring . 10
5.3 The peak voltage of charging . 11
6 Type test conditions . 11
6.1 General . 11
6.2 Test items . 11
7 Specific requirements and tests . 12
7.1 Basic requirement . 12
7.2 Resistance to abnormal heat . 12
7.3 Casing material of a battery system that can be transported for installation
or maintenance . 12
7.4 Electric insulation check during transport and installation. 12
7.5 Charging procedures for test purposes . 13
7.6 Protection against short circuit during transport and installation . 13
7.7 Protection for reverse connection . 13
7.8 Overdischarge control of voltage (battery system) . 14
7.9 Drop test . 14
7.9.1 General . 14
7.9.2 Whole drop test . 15
7.9.3 Edge and corner drop test . 15
8 Information for Safety . 16
9 Marking and designation . 16
Annex A (informative) Wiring, connections and supply . 17
Bibliography . 18

Figure 1 – IEC 62619 as umbrella standard to various industrial applications. 5
Figure 2 – Scope of IEC 63056 . 6
Figure 3 – Impact location . 15
Figure 4 – Configuration for the shortest edge drop test . 16
Figure 5 – Configuration for the corner drop test . 16

Table 1 – Type test . 12
Table 2 – Drop test method and condition . 14
Table A.1 – IEC 60950-1:2005 subclauses addressing wiring, connections and supply . 17
Table A.2 – Wiring, connections and supply, as addressed in IEC 62368-1 . 17

IEC 63056:2020 © IEC 2020 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
SECONDARY CELLS AND BATTERIES CONTAINING ALKALINE OR OTHER
NON-ACID ELECTROLYTES – SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR SECONDARY
LITHIUM CELLS AND BATTERIES FOR USE IN ELECTRICAL ENERGY
STORAGE SYSTEMS
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as "IEC
Publication(s)"). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 63056 has been prepared by subcommittee 21A: Secondary cells
and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes, of IEC technical committee 21:
Secondary cells and batteries.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
21A/718/FDIS 21A/723/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

– 4 – IEC 63056:2020 © IEC 2020
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
IEC 63056:2020 © IEC 2020 – 5 –
INTRODUCTION
This document covers safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries for use in
Electrical Energy Storage Systems and is under the umbrella standard IEC 62619 as shown in
Figure 1. As an umbrella standard, IEC 62619 had been developed which covered various
industrial applications in 2017.

Figure 1 – IEC 62619 as umbrella standard to various industrial applications

– 6 – IEC 63056:2020 © IEC 2020
SECONDARY CELLS AND BATTERIES CONTAINING ALKALINE OR OTHER
NON-ACID ELECTROLYTES – SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR SECONDARY
LITHIUM CELLS AND BATTERIES FOR USE IN ELECTRICAL ENERGY
STORAGE SYSTEMS
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements and tests for the product safety of secondary lithium
cells and batteries used in electrical energy storage systems (Figure 2) with a maximum DC
voltage of 1 500 V (nominal).
Basic safety requirements for the secondary lithium cells and batteries used in industrial
applications are included in IEC 62619. This document provides additional or specific
requirements for electrical energy storage systems.
Since this document covers batteries for various electrical energy storage systems, it includes
those requirements which are common and minimum to the electrical energy storage systems.
Examples of appliances that are within the scope of this document are:
• telecommunications,
• central emergency lighting and alarm systems,
• stationary engine starting,
• photovoltaic systems,
• home (residential) energy storage systems (HESS), and
• large energy storage: on-grid/off-grid.
This document applies to cells and batteries for uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
This document does not apply to portable systems 500 Wh or below, which are covered by
IEC 61960-3.
Figure 2 – Scope of IEC 63056
IEC 63056:2020 © IEC 2020 – 7 –
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60050-482, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 482: Primary and
secondary cells and batteries (available at http://www.electropedia.org/)
IEC 60695-10-2, Fire hazard testing – Part 10-2: Abnormal heat – Ball pressure test method
IEC 60695-11-10, Fire hazard testing – Part 11-10: Test flames – 50 W horizontal and vertical
flame test methods
IEC 60950-1:2005, Information technology equipment – Safety – Part 1: General requirements
IEC 62619, Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes –
Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries, for use in industrial applications
IEC 62620:2014, Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid
electrolytes – Secondary lithium cells and batteries for use in industrial applications
ISO/IEC Guide 51, Safety aspects – Guidelines for their inclusion in standards
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60050-482,
ISO/IEC Guide 51, and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
safety
freedom from unacceptable risk
3.2
risk
combination of the probability of occurrence of harm and the severity of that harm
3.3
harm
physical injury or damage to the health of people or damage to property or to the environment
3.4
hazard
potential source of harm
3.5
intended use
use of a product, process or service in accordance with specifications, instructions and
information provided by the supplier

– 8 – IEC 63056:2020 © IEC 2020
3.6
reasonably foreseeable misuse
use of a product, process or service in a way which is not intended by the supplier, but which
may result from readily predictable human behaviour
3.7
secondary lithium cell
cell
secondary cell where electrical energy is derived from the insertion/extraction reactions of
lithium ions or oxidation/reduction reaction of lithium between the negative electrode and the
positive electrode
Note 1 to entry: The cell typically has an electrolyte that consists of a lithium salt and organic solvent compound
in liquid, gel or solid form and has a metal or a laminate film casing. It is not ready for use in an application
because it is not yet fitted with its final housing, terminal arrangement and electronic control device.
3.8
cell block
group of cells connected together in parallel configuration with or without protective devices
(e.g. fuse or positive temperature coefficient device) and monitoring circuitry
Note 1 to entry: It is not ready for use in an application because it is not yet fitted with its final housing, terminal
arrangement and electronic control device.
3.9
module
group of cells connected together in a series and/or parallel configuration with or without
protective devices (e.g. fuse or positive temperature coefficient device) and monitoring
circuitry
3.10
battery pack
energy storage
...