IEC 61960-3:2017

Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes - Secondary lithium cells and batteries for portable applications - Part 3: Prismatic and cylindrical lithium secondary cells and batteries made from them

IEC 61960-3:2017 specifies performance tests, designations, markings, dimensions and other requirements for secondary lithium single cells and batteries for portable applications.
The objective of this document is to provide the purchasers and users of secondary lithium cells and batteries with a set of criteria with which they can judge the performance of secondary lithium cells and batteries offered by various manufacturers.
Portable applications comprise hand-held equipment, transportable equipment and movable equipment.
This first edition cancels and replaces the second edition of IEC 61960 published in 2011. It is a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- adding definition of portable applications (Scope),
- update of examples of cells (Table 1 and 2),
- adding “Dimensions of the cell with a laminate film case” (Annex A),
- adding “Capacity after storage” (from the date of manufacture) (Annex B).

Accumulateurs alcalins et autres accumulateurs à électrolyte non acide - Accumulateurs au lithium pour applications portables - Partie 3: Eléments et batteries d'accumulateurs au lithium, parallélépipédiques et cylindriques

L'IEC 61960-3:2017 spécifie les essais de performance, les désignations, les marquages, les dimensions et autres exigences pour les éléments individuels et les batteries d’accumulateurs au lithium pour applications portables.
L'objectif du présent document est de fournir aux acheteurs et aux utilisateurs d'accumulateurs au lithium un ensemble de critères au moyen desquels ils seront en mesure de juger la performance des différents accumulateurs au lithium proposés par différents fabricants.
Les applications portables comprennent les matériels portatifs (à main), les matériels transportables et les équipements mobiles (ou déplaçables).
Cette première édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition de l'IEC 61960 parue en 2011. Cette édition constitue une révision technique.
Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l’édition précédente:
- addition d’une définition des applications portables (Domaine d’application),
- mise à jour des exemples d’éléments (Tableaux 1 et 2),
- addition de l’Annexe A “Dimensions de l’élément avec enveloppe souple”,
- addition de l’Annexe B “Capacité après stockage” (depuis la date de fabrication).

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 06-Feb-2017
• ICS: 29.220.99 - Other cells and batteries
• Technical Committee: SC 21A - Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes
• Drafting Committee: WG 3 - TC 21/SC 21A/WG 3
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 07-Feb-2017
• Completion Date: 03-Mar-2017

Relations

• Replaces: IEC 61960:2011 - Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes - Secondary lithium cells and batteries for portable applications
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61960-3 ®
Edition 1.0 2017-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid
electrolytes – Secondary lithium cells and batteries for portable applications –
Part 3: Prismatic and cylindrical lithium secondary cells, and batteries made
from them
Accumulateurs alcalins et autres accumulateurs à électrolyte non acide –
Accumulateurs au lithium pour applications portables –
Partie 3: Eléments et batteries d’accumulateurs au lithium, parallélépipédiques
et cylindriques
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IEC 61960-3 ®
Edition1.0 2017-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid

electrolytes – Secondary lithium cells and batteries for portable applications –

Part 3: Prismatic and cylindrical lithium secondary cells, and batteries made

from them
Accumulateurs alcalins et autres accumulateurs à électrolyte non acide –

Accumulateurs au lithium pour applications portables –

Partie 3: Eléments et batteries d’accumulateurs au lithium, parallélépipédiques

et cylindriques
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.220.99 ISBN 978-2-8322-3908-7

– 2 – IEC 61960-3:2017 © IEC 2017
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Parameter measurement tolerances . 8
5 Cell designation and marking . 8
5.1 Cell and battery designation . 8
5.2 Marking . 10
5.3 Providing the design and produce requirement of batteries . 10
6 Examples of cells . 10
7 Electrical tests . 11
7.1 General . 11
7.2 Charging procedure for test purposes . 12
7.3 Discharge performance . 12
7.3.1 Discharge performance at 20 °C (rated capacity) . 12
7.3.2 Discharge performance at –20 °C . 12
7.3.3 High rate discharge performance at 20 °C. 12
7.4 Charge (capacity) retention and recovery . 13
7.5 Charge (capacity) recovery after long term storage . 13
7.6 Endurance in cycles . 14
7.6.1 General. 14
7.6.2 Endurance in cycles at a rate of 0,2 I A . 14
t
7.6.3 Endurance in cycles at a rate of 0,5 I A (accelerated test procedure) . 14
t
7.7 Battery internal resistance . 14
7.7.1 General. 14
7.7.2 Measurement of the internal AC resistance . 15
7.7.3 Measurement of the internal DC resistance . 15
7.8 Electrostatic discharge (ESD) . 16
7.8.1 General. 16
7.8.2 Test procedure . 16
7.8.3 Acceptance criterion . 16
8 Test protocol and conditions for type approval . 16
8.1 Test protocol . 16
8.2 Conditions for type approval . 16
8.2.1 Dimensions . 16
8.2.2 Electrical tests . 16
8.2.3 Conditional type approval . 16
Annex A (informative) Dimensions of the cell with a laminate film case . 19
A.1 General . 19
A.2 Measuring method of cell thickness . 19
A.3 Measuring method of cell width . 19
Annex B (informative) Capacity after storage . 21
Bibliography . 22

Figure 1 – Sample sizes and sequence of tests . 17

Figure A.1 – Thickness measuring method . 20
Figure A.2 – Width measuring method . 20

Table 1 – Specification examples of secondary lithium cells for portable applications . 11
Table 2 – Examples of secondary lithium cells for portable applications . 11
Table 3 – Endurance in cycles at a rate of 0,2 I A . 14
t
Table 4 – Endurance in cycles at a rate of 0,5 I A . 14
t
Table 5 – Minimum requirements for each type of secondary lithium cells and batteries . 18
Table B.1 – Capacity after storage . 21

– 4 – IEC 61960-3:2017 © IEC 2017
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
SECONDARY CELLS AND BATTERIES CONTAINING ALKALINE
OR OTHER NON-ACID ELECTROLYTES – SECONDARY LITHIUM CELLS
AND BATTERIES FOR PORTABLE APPLICATIONS –

Part 3: Prismatic and cylindrical lithium secondary cells,
and batteries made from them
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
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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 61960-3 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.
This first edition cancels and replaces the second edition of IEC 61960 published in 2011. It is
a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
• adding definition of portable applications (Scope),
• update of examples of cells (Table 1 and 2),

• adding “Dimensions of the cell with a laminate film case” (Annex A),
• adding “Capacity after storage” (from the date of manufacture) (Annex B).
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
21A/618/FDIS 21A/625/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.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61960 series, published under the general title Secondary cells
and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes – Secondary lithium cells and
batteries for portable applications, can be found on the IEC website.
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.
– 6 – IEC 61960-3:2017 © IEC 2017
SECONDARY CELLS AND BATTERIES CONTAINING ALKALINE
OR OTHER NON-ACID ELECTROLYTES – SECONDARY LITHIUM CELLS
AND BATTERIES FOR PORTABLE APPLICATIONS –

Part 3: Prismatic and cylindrical lithium secondary cells,
and batteries made from them
1 Scope
This part of IEC 61960 specifies performance tests, designations, markings, dimensions and
other requirements for secondary lithium single cells and batteries for portable applications.
The objective of this document is to provide the purchasers and users of secondary lithium
cells and batteries with a set of criteria with which they can judge the performance of
secondary lithium cells and batteries offered by various manufacturers.
Portable applications comprise hand-held equipment, transportable equipment and movable
equipment.
Examples of the main uses are shown below:
a) hand-held equipment: smartphone, tablet PCs, audio/video players, and similar
equipment;
b) transportable equipment: notebook computers, CD players, and similar equipment;
c) movable equipment
• 18 kg or less in mass and not fixed in place, or
• provided with wheels, castors, or other means to facilitate movement by an ordinary
person as required to perform its intended use,
• power tools, power assisted cycles, business-use video cameras, and similar
equipment.
NOTE 1 All applications using batteries whose nominal voltages are equal to or over the hazardous voltage
of 60 V DC are excluded.
NOTE 2 EESS (Electrical Energy Storage Systems) and UPS, which use batteries over 500 Wh of electric energy
are excluded.
NOTE 3 Self-propelled vehicles are excluded.
This document defines a minimum required level of performance and a standardized
methodology by which testing is performed and the results of this testing reported to the user.
Hence, users will be able to establish the viability of commercially available cells and
batteries via the declared specification and thus be able to select the cell or battery best
suited for their intended application. The end user can handle only batteries which have
completely fulfilled all the requirements of this document and others concerning safety such
as IEC 62133-2.
This document covers secondary lithium cells and batteries with a range of chemistries. Each
electrochemical couple has a characteristic voltage range over which it releases its electrical
capacity, a characteristic nominal voltage and a characteristic final voltage during discharge.
Users of secondary lithium cells and batteries are requested to consult the manufacturer for
advice.
2 Normative references
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.
IEC 60050-482:2004, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 482: Primary and
secondary cells and batteries
IEC 61000-4-2, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-2: Testing and measurement
techniques – Electrostatic discharge immunity test
IEC 62133-2:2017, Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid
electrolytes – Safety requirements for portable sealed secondary cells and for batteries made
from them, for use in portable applications – Part 2: Lithium systems
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60050-482 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
charge recovery
capacity recovery
capacity that a cell or battery can deliver with subsequent recharge after storage, at a specific
temperature, for a specific time, as a percentage of the rated capacity
3.2
charge retention
capacity retention
capacity that a cell or battery can deliver after storage, at a specific temperature, for a
specific time without subsequent recharge as a percentage of the rated capacity
3.3
final voltage
end-of-discharge voltage
specified closed circuit voltage at which a discharge of a cell or battery is terminated
3.4
nominal voltage
suitable approximate value of the voltage used to designate or identify a cell, a battery or an
electrochemical system
Note 1 to entry: The nominal voltages of secondary lithium cells are shown in Table 1 and 2.
Note 2 to entry: The nominal voltage of a battery of n series connected cells is equal to n times the nominal
voltage of a single cell.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-482:2004, 482-03-31, modified – Addition Notes 1 and 2 to entry.]

– 8 – IEC 61960-3:2017 © IEC 2017
3.5
rated capacity
capacity value of a cell or battery determined under specified conditions and declared by the
manufacturer
Note 1 to entry: The rated capacity is the quantity of electricity C Ah (ampere-hours) declared by the
manufacturer which a single cell can deliver during a 5-h period, when charged, stored and discharged under the
conditions specified in 7.3.1
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-482:2004, 482-03-15, modified – Addition of Note 1 to entry.]
3.6
secondary lithium battery
unit which incorporates one or more secondary lithium cells and which is ready for use
Note 1 to entry: It may incorporate adequate housing and a terminal arrangement and may have electronic control
devices.
3.7
secondary lithium 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
lithium ion polymer cell
cell using gel polymer electrolyte or solid polymer electrolyte, not liquid electrolyte
4 Parameter measurement tolerances
The overall accuracy of controlled or measured values, relative to the specified or actual
values, shall be within the following tolerances:
a) ± 1 % for voltage;
b) ± 1 % for current;
c) ± 1 % for capacity;
d) ± 2 °C for temperature;
e) ± 0,1 % for time;
f) ± 0,1 mm for dimensions.
These tolerances comprise the combined accuracy of the measuring instruments, the
measurement techniques used, and all other sources of error in the test procedure.
The details of the instrumentation used shall be provided in any report of results.
5 Cell designation and marking
5.1 Cell and battery designation
Batteries shall be designated with following form:
N A A A N / N / N – N
1 1 2 3 2 3 4 5
Cells shall be designated with following form:
A A A N / N / N
1 2 3 2 3 4
where
N is the number of series connected cells in the battery;
A designates the negative electrode basis in which
I is carbon;
L is lithium metal or lithium alloy;
T is titanium;
X is others;
A designates the positive electrode basis in which
C is cobalt;
F is iron;
Fp is iron phosphate;
N is nickel;
M is manganese;
Mp is manganese phosphate;
T is titanium;
V is vanadium;
X is others;
A designates the shape of the cell in which
R is cylindrical;
P is prismatic;
N is the maximum diameter (if R) or the maximum thickness (if P) in millimetres rounded up
to the next whole number;
N is the maximum width (if P) in millimetres rounded up to the next whole number (N not
3 3
shown if R);
N is the maximum overall height in millimetres rounded up to the next whole number;
NOTE 1 If any dimension is less than 1 mm, the units used are tenths of millimetres and the single number is
written tN.
N is the number of parallel connected cells if two or more (not shown if value is 1).
EXAMPLE 1 ICR19/66 designates a cylindrical Li-ion secondary cell, with a cobalt-based positive electrode, a
maximum diameter which is greater than 18 mm and less than or equal to 19 mm, a maximum overall height which
is greater than 65 mm and less than or equal to 66 mm.
EXAMPLE 2 ICP9/35/150 designates a prismatic Li-ion secondary lithium cell, with a cobalt-based positive
electrode, a maximum thickness which is greater than 8 mm and less than or equal to 9 mm, a maximum width
which is greater than 34 mm and less than or equal to 35 mm, and a maximum overall height which is greater than
149 mm and less than or equal to 150 mm.
EXAMPLE 3 ICPt9/35/48 designates a prismatic Li-ion secondary lithium cell, with a cobalt-based positive
electrode, a maximum thickness which is greater than 0,8 mm and less than or equal to 0,9 mm, a maximum width
which is greater than 34 mm and less than or equal to 35 mm, and a maximum overall height which is greater than
47 mm and less than or equal to 48 mm.
EXAMPLE 4 1ICR20/70 designates a cylindrical Li-ion secondary battery with one single cell, a cobalt-based
positive electrode, a maximum diameter which is greater than 19 mm and less than or equal to 20 mm, and a
maximum overall height which is greater than 69 mm and less than or equal to 70 mm.
EXAMPLE 5 2ICP20/34/70 designates a prismatic Li-ion secondary battery with two series connected cells, a
cobalt-based positive electrode, a maximum thickness which is greater than 19 mm and less than or equal
to 20 mm, a maximum width which is greater than 33 mm and less than or equal to 34 mm, and a maximum overall
height which is greater than 69 mm and less than or equal to 70 mm.

– 10 – IEC 61960-3:2017 © IEC 2017
EXAMPLE 6 1ICP20/68/70-2 designates a prismatic Li-ion secondary battery with two parallel connected cells, a
cobalt-based positive electrode, a maximum thickness which is greater than 19 mm and less than or equal
to 20 mm, a maximum width which is greater than 67 mm and less than or equal to 68 mm, and a maximum overall
height which is greater than 69 mm and less than or equal to 70 mm.
EXAMPLE 7 When the batteries which have different designation such as ICR19/66 and ICP9/35/150 are parallel
connected into single case, the marking to the case is taken as (ICR19/66)(ICP9/35/150).
NOTE 2 Notwithstanding the above specification, other designations can be used according to agreement
between manufacturer and user.
5.2 Marking
Each cell or battery shall carry clear and durable markings giving the following information:
Manufacturer shall provide the following information in document form such as specification
sheet or instruction manual or similar documents. When the battery is handled by end-users,
the following information shall be marked on it.
• secondary (rechargeable) Li or Li-ion;
• battery or cell designation as specified in 5.1;
• polarity;
• date of manufacture (which may be in code);
• name or identification of manufacturer or supplier;
• rated capacity;
• nominal voltage.
When a cell or battery is considered swallowable the following additional information shall be
marked on it or on the immediate package:
• caution for batteries which are considered swallowable (see IEC 60086-4).
When the battery surface is too small to accommodate all markings, information shall be given
in specification sheet or in instruction manual or on the immediate package instead of on the
battery.
Polarity need not be marked when the battery has been exclusively designed not to be
connected wrongly.
Instead of designation as specified in 5.1, product code or name of battery can be used when
the battery is designed for use in particular end product.
By agreement between the cell manufacturer and battery and/or end product manufacturer,
cells used in the assembly of a battery need not be marked. The battery designed not to be
replaced by the end user also need not be marked.
5.3 Providing the design and produce requirement of batteries
In order to ensure the safe use of lithium-ion secondary batteries, cell manufacturers shall
provide equipment manufacturers who design and produce lithium-ion secondary batteries
with the requirements specified in IEC 62133-2:2017, Annex A.
6 Examples of cells
Table 1 shows the specifications of some secondary lithium cell(s), and Table 2 shows the
chemistries of the secondary lithium cell(s) that are suitable for standardization and used in
assembling batteries.
Table 1 – Specification examples of secondary
lithium cells for portable applications
Prismatic Prismatic
Cylindrical
(metal case) (laminate film case)
Secondary lithium cell ICR19/66 ICP5/34/50 ICP7/34/50
Height (mm) 64,0/65,2 49,0/49,6 49,2/50,0
Diameter (mm) 17,8/18,5 NA NA
Width (mm) NA 33,6/34,0 33,2/34,0
Thickness (mm) NA 4,1/4,6 6,2/7,0
Nominal voltage (V) 3,7 3,7 3,7
Final voltage (V) 2,50 2,50 2,50
Final voltage (V) for
2,75 2,75 2,75
endurance (cycle life)
Table 2 – Examples of secondary lithium cells
for portable applications
Positive Negative Nominal
Cell type Electrolyte Cell case
electrode electrode Voltage (V)
Metal
Carbon 3,6~3,9
Laminate film
Lithium
transition metal
Tin based
(Nickel, Cobalt, Metal 3,3~3,6
Compound
Non-aqueous
Manganese)
Lithium ion solution with
oxide
Metal
lithium salt
Titanium oxide 2,2~2,5
Laminate film
Metal
Lithium iron
Carbon 3,2
phosphate
Laminate film
Lithium
transition metal
Lithium ion Gel polymer
(Nickel, Cobalt, Carbon Laminate film 3,6~3,8
polymer with lithium salt
Manganese)
oxide
NOTE A lithium ion cell is a secondary cell. The electrode materials are selected so that lithium metal is not
involved in the charge and the discharge directly. Typical examples of lithium ion cells are listed in this table.

7 Electrical tests
7.1 General
Only cell or battery samples which are less than two months (60 days) old, from the date of
manufacture, shall be used for the tests specified in this document.
NOTE Generally capacity of lithium ion cells or batteries gradually decreases (see Table B.1).
Charge and discharge currents for the tests shall be based on the value of the rated capacity
(C Ah). These currents are expressed as a multiple of I A, where: I A = C Ah/1 h.
5 t t 5
The minimum values required for each electrical test are stated in Table 5. Sample sizes and
sequence of tests are described in Figure 1.

– 12 – IEC 61960-3:2017 © IEC 2017
7.2 Charging procedure for test purposes
Prior to charging, the cell or battery shall be discharged at 20 °C ± 5 °C at a constant current
A, down to a specified final voltage.
of 0,2 I
t
Unless otherwise stated in this document, cells or batteries shall be charged, in an ambient
temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C, using the method declared by the manufacturer.
7.3 Discharge performance
7.3.1 Discharge performance at 20 °C (rated capacity)
This test verifies the rated capacity of a cell or battery.
Step 1 – The cell or battery shall be charged in accordance with 7.2.
Step 2 – The cell or battery shall be stored, in an ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C, for not
less than 1 h and not more than 4 h.
Step 3 – The cell or battery shall be discharged, in an ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C, at
a constant current of 0,2 I A, until its voltage is equal to the specified final voltage.
t
Step 4 – The capacity (Ah) delivered during step 3 shall be not less than 100 % of the rated
capacity declared by the manufacturer. Steps 1 to 4 may be repeated up to four additional
times, as necessary to satisfy this requirement.
7.3.2 Discharge performance at –20 °C
This test determines the capacity of the cell or battery at low temperature.
Step 1 – The cell or battery shall be charged in accordance with 7.2.
Step 2 – The cell or battery shall be stored, in an ambient temperature of −20 °C ± 2 °C, for
not less than 16 h and not more than 24 h.
Step 3 – The cell or battery shall be discharged, in an ambient temperature of −20 °C ± 2 °C,
at a constant current of 0,2 I A, until its voltage is equal to the specified final voltage.
t
Step 4 – The capacity (Ah), delivered during step 3, shall be not less than that specified for
this characteristic in Table 5.
7.3.3 High rate discharge performance at 20 °C
This test determines the capacity of a cell or battery when discharged at a high rate. This test
is not required if the cell or battery is not designed to be used at this rate.
Step 1 – The cell or battery shall be charged in accordance with 7.2.
Step 2 – The cell or battery shall be stored, in an ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C, for not
less than 1 h and not more than 4 h.
Step 3 – The cell or battery shall be discharged, in an ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C, at
a constant current of 1,0 I A, until its voltage is equal to the specified final voltage.
t
Step 4 – The capacity (Ah) delivered during step 3 shall be not less than that specified for this
characteristic in Table 5.
7.4 Charge (capacity) retention and recovery
This test determines firstly the capacity which a cell or battery retains after storage for an
extended period of time, and secondly the capacity that can be recovered by a subsequent
recharge.
Step 1 – The cell or battery shall be charged in accordance with 7.2.
Step 2 – The cell or battery shall be stored in an ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C,
for 28 days.
Step 3 – The cell or battery shall be discharged, in an ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C, at
a constant current of 0,2 I A, until its voltage is equal to the specified final voltage.
t
Step 4 – The 28-day retained capacity (Ah) delivered, during step 3, shall be not less than
that specified for this characteristic in Table 5.
Step 5 – The cell or battery shall then be charged in accordance with 7.2, within 24 h
following the discharge of step 3.
Step 6 – The cell or battery shall be stored, in an ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C, for not
less than 1 h and not more than 4 h.
Step 7 – The cell or battery shall be discharged, in an ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C, at
a constant current of 0,2 I A, until its voltage is equal to the specified final voltage.
t
Step 8 – The recovery capacity (Ah) delivered, during step 7, shall be not less than that
specified for this characteristic in Table 5.
7.5 Charge (capacity) recovery after long term storage
This test determines the capacity of a cell or battery after extended storage at 50 % state of
charge, followed by a subsequent charge.
Step 1 – The cell or battery shall be charged in accordance with 7.2.
Step 2 – The cell or battery shall be discharged, in an ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C, at
a constant current of 0,2 I A, for 2,5 h.
t
Step 3 – The cell or battery shall be stored in an ambient temperature of 40 °C ± 2 °C,
for 90 days.
Step 4 – The cell or battery shall be charged, in an ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C,
using the method declared by the manufacturer.
Step 5 – The cell or battery shall be stored, in an ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C, for not
less than 1 h and not more than 4 h.
Step 6 – The cell or battery shall be discharged, in an ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C, at
a constant current of 0,2 I A, until its voltage is equal to the specified final voltage.
t
Step 7 – The capacity (Ah) delivered during step 6 shall be not less than that specified for this
characteristic in Table 5. Steps 4, 5 and 6 may be repeated up to four additional times, as
necessary to satisfy this requirement.

– 14 – IEC 61960-3:2017 © IEC 2017
7.6 Endurance in cycles
7.6.1 General
This test determines the number of charge/discharge cycles which a cell or battery can
endure before its useful capacity has been significantly depleted or the remaining capacity
after a specified number of cycles.
Prior to charging, the cell or battery shall be discharged at 20 °C ± 5 °C at a constant current
of 0,2 I A, down to a specified final voltage.
t
The following endurance test shall then be carried out, irrespective of cell designation, in an
ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C. Charge and discharge shall be carried out in
accordance with the conditions specified in either Table 3 or Table 4.
7.6.2 Endurance in cycles at a rate of 0,2 I A
t
Table 3 – Endurance in cycles at a rate of 0,2 I A
t
Stand in charged
Cycle number Charge condition Discharge
h
Until capacity delivered is Method declared by the 0 to 1 0,2 I A to final voltage
t
less than 60 % of the manufacturer
rated capacity
The total number of cycles obtained when the test is completed shall be not less than that
specified for this characteristic in Table 5.
7.6.3 Endurance in cycles at a rate of 0,5 I A (accelerated test procedure)
t
In order to accelerate the test, following alternative procedures may be carried out as an
alternative to 7.6.2.
Table 4 – Endurance in cycles at a rate of 0,5 I A
t
a
Cycle number Charge Stand in charged Discharge
condition
h
A: 1 to 400 Method declared by the 0 to 1 0,5 I A to final voltage
t
manufacturer
or
B: 1 to 300
a
A: for cells, B: for batteries.

The remaining capacity measured according to step 1 to step 3 of 7.3.1 when the test is
completed shall be not less than that specified for this characteristic in Table 5.
7.7 Battery internal resistance
7.7.1 General
This test determines the internal resistance of a secondary lithium battery by either the
alternating current (AC) or by the direct current (DC) method.
Should the need arise for the internal resistance to be measured by both AC and DC methods
on the same battery, then the AC method shall be used first followed by the DC method. It is

not necessary to discharge and charge the battery between conducting AC and DC
measurements.
Step 1 – The battery shall be charged in accordance with 7.2.
Step 2 – The battery shall be stored, in an ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C, for not less
than 1 h and not more than 4 h.
Step 3 – The measurement of internal resistance shall be performed in accordance with 7.7.2
or 7.7.3 in an ambient temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C.
7.7.2 Measurement of the internal AC resistance
7.7.2.1 Measurement
The alternating RMS voltage, U , shall be measured while applying an alternating RMS
a
current, I , at the frequency of 1,0 kHz ± 0,1 kHz, to the battery, for a period of 1 s to 5 s.
a
All voltage measurements shall be made at the terminals of the battery independently of the
contacts used to carry current.
The internal AC resistance, R , is given by:
ac
U
a
R = (Ω)
ac
I
a
where
U is the alternating RMS voltage;
a
I is the alternating RMS current.
a
NOTE 1 The alternating current is selected so that the peak voltage stays below 20 mV.
NOTE 2 This method will in fact measure the impedance, which at the frequency specified, is approximately equal
to the resistance.
7.7.2.2 Acceptance criterion
The internal AC resistance of the battery shall be not greater than the value of R , declared
ac
by the manufacturer.
7.7.3 Measurement of the internal DC resistance
7.7.3.1 Measurement
The battery shall be discharged at a constant current of I = 0,2 I A. At the end of a
1 t
discharge period of 10 s ± 0,1 s, the discharge voltage U under load shall be measured and
recorded. The discharge current shall then be immediately increased to a value of I = 1,0 I A
2 t
and the corresponding discharge voltage U measured under load and recorded again at the
end of a discharge period of 1 s ± 0,1 s.
All voltage measurements shall be made at the terminals of the battery independently of the
contacts used to carry current.
The internal DC resistance, R , of the battery shall be calculated using the following formula:
dc
U −U
1 2
R = (Ω)
dc
I −I
2 1
– 16 – IEC 61960-3:2017 © IEC 2017
where
I , I are the constant discharge currents;
1 2
U , U are the appropriate voltages measured during discharge.
1 2
7.7.3.2 Acceptance criterion
The internal DC resistance of the battery shall be not greater than the value of R , declared
dc
by the manufacturer.
7.8 Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
7.8.1 General
This test is to evaluate the ability of a battery to withstand electrostatic discharge.
This test shall be conducted on a battery containing electronic protection devices, such as
diodes, transistors or integrated circuits.
7.8.2 Test procedure
This test shall be carried out in accordance with IEC 61000-4-2, which concerns electronic
discharge requirements (see Clauses 1 to 8).
The batteries shall be tested for contact discharge at 4 kV and air discharge at 8 kV.
7.8.3 Acceptance criterion
The battery shall operate with all protection circuits operational.
8 Test protocol and conditions for type approval
8.1 Test protocol
If there is no agreement between manufacturer and user, the test protocol and conditions for
type approval shall conform to the following.
The sample size and protocol for conducting the electrical tests in Clause 7 are given
in Figure 1.
8.2 Conditions for type a
...