SIST EN 50342-2:2021

Lead-acid starter batteries - Part 2: Dimensions of batteries and marking of terminals

This document is applicable to lead-acid batteries used for starting, lighting and ignition of passenger automobiles and light commercial vehicles with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
All batteries in accordance with this document can be fastened to the vehicle either by means of the ledges around the case or by means of a hold-down device engaging with the lid.

Blei-Akkumulatoren-Starterbatterien - Teil 2: Maße von Batterien und Kennzeichnung von Anschlüssen

Batteries d'accumulateurs de démarrage au plomb - Partie 2: Dimensions des batteries et marquage des bornes

Svinčeno-kislinske zaganjalne baterije - 2. del: Mere baterij in označevanje priključkov

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 20-Jan-2021
• ICS: 29.220.20 - Acid secondary cells and batteries
• Technical Committee: ISCB - Secondary cells and batteries
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 12-Jan-2021
• Due Date: 19-Mar-2021
• Completion Date: 21-Jan-2021
• Ref Project: EN 50342-2:2019 - Lead-acid starter batteries - Part 2: Dimensions of batteries and marking of terminals

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN 50342-2:2008/A1:2016 - Lead-acid starter batteries - Part 2: Dimensions of batteries and marking of terminals
• Effective Date: 08-Oct-2019
• Replaces: SIST EN 50342-2:2008 - Lead-acid starter batteries -- Part 2: Dimensions of batteries and marking of terminals
• Effective Date: 08-Oct-2019
• Revised: SIST EN 50342-2:2008 - Lead-acid starter batteries -- Part 2: Dimensions of batteries and marking of terminals
• Effective Date: 25-Jul-2017
• Revised: SIST EN 50342-2:2008/A1:2016 - Lead-acid starter batteries - Part 2: Dimensions of batteries and marking of terminals
• Effective Date: 25-Jul-2017

Overview

EN 50342-2:2019 - published by CENELEC/CLC - is the European standard that defines dimensions and terminal marking for 12 V lead‑acid starter batteries used for starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. It updates and supersedes earlier editions and provides manufacturers, OEMs and test laboratories with harmonized requirements for battery geometry, terminal identification, fastening features and recycling marking to ensure interchangeability and safe installation.

Key Topics

• Scope and applicability
  • Applies to 12 V lead‑acid starter batteries for passenger automobiles and light commercial vehicles.
  • All batteries compliant with this standard can be fastened by ledges around the case or by a hold‑down device engaging the lid.
• Dimensions and design
  • Main dimensions are given in millimetres and referenced at a polypropylene‑polyethylene copolymer temperature of 20 °C.
  • Recommends preferred LN series dimensions (top, base and lid lengths, heights, ledges and notches) and provides generic drawings as examples.
• Terminals and marking
  • Polarity shall be marked using IEC 60417 symbols (5005 “+”, 5006 “−”) located on or adjacent to terminals.
  • Polarity symbols may be embossed/indented by (0.4 ± 0.1) mm; marking dimensions follow the standard’s figures.
  • Safety labelling: batteries must carry the six coloured safety symbols in accordance with EN 50342-1.
• Handles and mounting
  • Handle rules: batteries ≤ 20 kg may have 0–2 handles; batteries > 20 kg shall have two handles; handles are typically integrated into the lid.
  • Mounting options include bottom hold‑down (long or short side) or top clamping engaging the lid; ledges, notches and top clamping areas are standardized.
• Recycling and materials marking
  • Lead recycling and separate collection symbols required (EN 61429).
  • Injection‑moulded plastic parts must be marked per ISO 11469 / ISO 1043‑1 (e.g., >PP/PE<); recommended marking thickness (0.3 ± 0.1) mm and character height 5–7 mm.
• Other practical details
  • Guidance on lid features, venting, removable plugs, sensor positions, robot handling grips and reinforcement against bulging.

Applications

Who uses EN 50342-2:2019:

• Battery manufacturers - ensure dimensional conformity for vehicle fitment and terminal interchangeability.
• Automotive OEMs and tier suppliers - specify mounting, terminal location and safety markings for vehicle battery compartments.
• Aftermarket battery suppliers and distributors - verify compatibility with vehicle hold‑down systems and user safety labels.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies - check compliance with dimensional and marking requirements.
• Recyclers and material handlers - use prescribed polymer and recycling markings for end‑of‑life handling.
• Robotics/system integrators - design automated handling/gripping equipment based on standard grip locations and dimensions.

Related Standards

• EN 50342-1: Lead‑acid starter batteries - General requirements and methods of test
• IEC 60050‑482: Electrotechnical vocabulary (cells & batteries)
• IEC 60417: Graphical symbols for equipment (polarity symbols)
• ISO 11469 / ISO 1043‑1: Plastics identification and marking
• EN 61429: Recycling/collection symbols

Keywords: EN 50342-2:2019, lead‑acid starter batteries, battery dimensions, terminal marking, 12 V starter battery standard, vehicle battery mounting, recycling marking, LN series dimensions.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2021
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 50342-2:2008
SIST EN 50342-2:2008/A1:2016
Svinčeno-kislinske zaganjalne baterije - 2. del: Mere baterij in označevanje
priključkov
Lead-acid starter batteries - Part 2: Dimensions of batteries and marking of terminals
Blei-Akkumulatoren-Starterbatterien - Teil 2: Maße von Batterien und Kennzeichnung
von Anschlüssen
Batteries d'accumulateurs de démarrage au plomb - Partie 2: Dimensions des batteries
et marquage des bornes
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50342-2:2019
ICS:
29.220.20 Kislinski sekundarni členi in Acid secondary cells and
baterije batteries
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 50342-2
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
October 2019
ICS 29.220.20 Supersedes EN 50342-2:2007 and all of its amendments
and corrigenda (if any)
English Version
Lead-acid starter batteries - Part 2: Dimensions of batteries and
marking of terminals
Batteries d'accumulateurs de démarrage au plomb - Partie Blei-Akkumulatoren-Starterbatterien - Teil 2: Maße von
2: Dimensions des batteries et marquage des bornes Batterien und Kennzeichnung von Anschlüssen
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2019-08-19. 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
© 2019 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN 50342-2:2019 E
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 General requirements . 4
4.1 General . 4
4.2 Marking . 4
4.2.1 Safety labelling . 4
4.2.2 Marking of the polarity of terminals . 4
4.3 Recycling . 5
4.3.1 Recycling of lead . 5
4.3.2 Recycling of plastic material . 5
4.4 Dimensions and design . 6
5 Recommended types . 6
5.1 General . 6
5.2 Main dimensions of batteries . 6
5.3 Handles . 11
5.3.1 General . 11
5.3.2 Mounting of handles . 12
5.4 Mounting of batteries . 12
5.4.1 General . 12
5.4.2 Dimensions and arrangement of ledges and notches . 12
5.5 Terminals . 13
5.5.1 Position of terminals . 13
5.5.2 Dimensions of battery terminals . 13
5.5.3 Marking of polarity . 14
5.6 Special features of the battery lid . 14
5.6.1 General . 14
5.6.2 Semi bloc lid . 14
5.6.3 Central degassing . 14
5.6.4 Recessed holes . 15
5.6.5 Removable cell plugs . 16
5.6.6 Position of sensor openings . 16
5.7 Handling of starter batteries by robot-equipment . 16
5.8 Bulging and reinforcement of battery side walls . 18
6 Other battery types . 19
6.1 General . 19
6.2 Main dimensions of batteries . 20
6.3 Handles . 25
6.4 Mounting of batteries . 25
6.4.1 General . 25
6.4.2 Dimensions and arrangement of ledges and notches . 25
6.5 Terminals . 26
6.5.1 Position of terminals . 26
6.5.2 Dimensions of battery terminals . 26
6.5.3 Marking of polarity . 26
6.6 Handling of starter batteries by robot-equipment . 26
Bibliography . 29
European foreword
This document (EN 50342-2:2019) has been prepared by CLC/TC 21X ”Secondary cells and batteries“.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which this document has (dop) 2020-08-19
to be implemented at national level by
publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national (dow) 2022-08-19
standards conflicting with this document
have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 50342-2:2007 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
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.
1 Scope
This document is applicable to lead-acid batteries used for starting, lighting and ignition of passenger
automobiles and light commercial vehicles with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
All batteries in accordance with this document can be fastened to the vehicle either by means of the ledges
around the case or by means of a hold-down device engaging with the lid.
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.
EN 50342-1, Lead-acid starter batteries - Part 1: General requirements and methods of test
IEC 60050-482, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) - Part 482: Primary and secondary cells and
batteries
IEC 60417, Graphical Symbols for use on Equipment
ISO 11469, Plastics — Generic identification and marking of plastics products
ISO 1043-1, Plastics — Symbols and abbreviated terms — Part 1: Basic polymers and their special
characteristics
3 Terms and definitions
For the purpose of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60050-482 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
4 General requirements
4.1 General
The following specifications are common to all vehicle batteries, not only for the batteries of this standard.
4.2 Marking
4.2.1 Safety labelling
The batteries shall bear the six coloured safety symbols in accordance with EN 50342-1.
4.2.2 Marking of the polarity of terminals
4.2.2.1 General
The batteries shall be marked with signs for both polarities that have to be positioned near to or on the top face
of the terminals.
4.2.2.2 Marking of positive terminals
This marking shall take the form of the symbol “+” either on the upper surface of the positive terminal or on the
lid adjacent to the positive terminal.
4.2.2.3 Marking of negative terminals
This marking shall take the form of the symbol “–“ either on the upper surface of the negative terminal or on the
lid adjacent to the negative terminal.
4.2.2.4 Design and dimensions of marking of terminals
The symbols used for marking the terminals shall be in accordance with the IEC 60417, symbol 5005 for the
positive and symbol 5006 for the negative polarity.
The dimensions of the marking shall be according to Figure 1.
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 1 — Marking of polarity
The polarity symbols may be either indented or embossed by (0,4 ± 0,1) mm.
4.3 Recycling
4.3.1 Recycling of lead
The batteries shall be marked with the symbols for recycling and separate collection in accordance with
EN 61429 as it relates to European Directives.
4.3.2 Recycling of plastic material
Injection moulded battery components need to be marked according to ISO 11469 and ISO 1043-1. The
marking shall be placed on the bottom of the battery container or on one short side near the ledge.
According to ISO 11469 and ISO 1043-1, the minimum marking for polypropylene-polyethylene copolymer
is > PP < or > PP/PE < .
In addition it is possible to show the recycling symbol with number 7 (Unicode Character 'RECYCLING SYMBOL
FOR TYPE-7 PLASTICS' (U+2679) according to ISO/IEC 10646) and the term “Other”.
The recommended thickness is (0,3 ± 0,1) mm. The height of the marking characters shall be between 5 mm
and 7 mm.
An example for this marking is shown in Figure 2.
OTHER
> PP/PE <
Figure 2 — Marking of polypropylene-polyethylene copolymer battery components
4.4 Dimensions and design
All dimensions in this document are given in millimetres.
All dimensions given in this document correspond to a temperature of 20 °C of the polypropylene-polyethylene
copolymer.
Details of the design that are not indicated in the generic drawings need to be chosen appropriately.
The generic drawings in this standard are possible examples only. Especially the design of the lid, handles, ribs,
ledges and vent caps are not mandatory in total.
5 Recommended types
5.1 General
For new battery developments, only the recommended series shall be used.
This clause specifies:
– the main dimensions of starter batteries of the preferred LN series;
– the location of the positive and negative terminals with respect to the fastening system;
– the dimensions of tapered terminals of starter batteries;
5.2 Main dimensions of batteries
The main dimensions of the batteries of the LN series are shown in Table 1 and Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5
and Figure 6.
NOTE The schematic drawings do not show every design detail of the battery.
The followings symbols are used:
a1 = Overall length at the battery base with ledges
a2 = Length at the battery base without ledges
a3 = Length at battery lid
a4 = Distance of the inside notches
a5 = Distance between terminal and the edges of the lid at the short side (see Figure 3 and
Figure 5)
a6 = Distance of the grips-segments for handling by robot equipment (see Figure 13)
A = Position of optional sensors (see Figure 12)
B = Position of optional sensors (see Figure 12)
H = Overall height including lid and plugs
h = Height of the top clamping area supporting the hold-down device
Table 1 — Main dimensions of batteries of standard series LN
Dimensions in millimetres
a a a a a a
A B H h
1 2 3 4 5 6
Type
± 2 ± 2 +0 / −3 +0 / −4
+0 / −2 ± 1 +0 / −3 +0 / −1 ± 2 ± 2
LN 0 1
...