SIST EN IEC 62485-2:2018

Safety requirements for secondary batteries and battery installations - Part 2: Stationary batteries

IEC 62485-2:2010 applies to stationary secondary batteries and battery installations with a maximum voltage of DC 1 500 V (nominal) and describes the principal measures for protections against hazards generated from:
- electricity,
- gas emission,
- electrolyte.
This International Standard provides requirements on safety aspects associated with the erection, use, inspection, maintenance and disposal. It covers lead-acid and NiCd/NiMH batteries.

Sicherheitsanforderungen an Sekundär-Batterien und Batterieanlagen - Teil 2: Stationäre Batterien

Exigences de sécurité pour les batteries d'accumulateurs et les installations de batteries - Partie 2: Batteries stationnaires

La CEI 62485-2:2010 s'applique aux batteries d'accumulateurs stationnaires et aux installations de batteries d'une tension maximale de 1 500 V (nominale) en courant continu et décrit les principales mesures pour la protection contre les risques générés par:
- l'électricité,
- les émissions gazeuses,
- l'électrolyte.
Cette norme internationale fournit les exigences concernant les aspects de sécurité liés à la mise en  uvre, à l'utilisation, au contrôle, à la maintenance et à la mise au rebut. Elle couvre les accumulateurs au plomb et au NiCd/NiMH.

Varnostne zahteve za sekundarne baterije in baterijske naprave - 2. del: Nepremične baterije

Ta del standarda IEC 62485 se uporablja za nepremične sekundarne baterije in baterijske naprave z najvišjo (nazivno) enosmerno napetostjo 1500 V ter opisuje glavne ukrepe za zaščito pred nevarnostmi, ki jih povzročajo:
– električna energija;
– plinaste emisije;
– elektrolit.
Ta mednarodni standard določa zahteve glede varnostnih vidikov, povezanih z namestitvijo, uporabo, pregledi, vzdrževanjem in odstranjevanjem.
Obravnava svinčeno-kislinske ter nikelj-kadmijeve/nikljeve kovinsko-hidridne baterije.
Primeri glavnih vrst uporabe:
– telekomunikacije;
– obratovanje elektrarne;
– osrednja zasilna razsvetljava in alarmni sistemi;
– napajalniki za neprekinjeno napajanje;
– vgrajene naprave za zagon vozil;
– fotonapetostni sistemi.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 20-Aug-2018
• ICS: 29.220.20 - Acid secondary cells and batteries
• ICS: 29.220.30 - Alkaline secondary cells and batteries
• Technical Committee: ISCB - Secondary cells and batteries
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 08-Aug-2018
• Due Date: 13-Oct-2018
• Completion Date: 21-Aug-2018
• Ref Project: EN IEC 62485-2:2018 - Safety requirements for secondary batteries and battery installations - Part 2: Stationary batteries

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN 50272-2:2002 - Safety requirements for secondary batteries and battery installations -- Part 2: Stationary batteries
• Effective Date: 08-May-2018
• Revised: SIST EN 50272-2:2002 - Safety requirements for secondary batteries and battery installations -- Part 2: Stationary batteries
• Effective Date: 22-Aug-2017

Overview

EN IEC 62485-2:2018 - Safety requirements for secondary batteries and battery installations, Part 2: Stationary batteries (CLC/CENELEC adoption of IEC 62485-2:2010) addresses safety for stationary secondary batteries and battery installations up to DC 1 500 V (nominal). The standard describes principal protection measures against hazards generated by electricity, gas emission and electrolyte and sets safety requirements for erection, use, inspection, maintenance and disposal. It specifically covers lead‑acid and nickel‑based (NiCd / NiMH) stationary batteries.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Protection against electric shock
  • Measures for preventing direct and indirect contact, including automatic disconnection, insulation (Class II), electrical separation and use of SELV/PELV/FELV systems.
• Short‑circuit prevention and current effects
  • Design and protective measures to limit short‑circuits, leakage currents and to protect personnel and equipment during maintenance.
• Explosion and gas hazards
  • Requirements addressing hydrogen/oxygen gas generation, safe charging modes, ventilation (natural and forced) and safety distances to reduce explosion risk.
• Electrolyte hazards and first aid
  • Handling, protective clothing, emergency response for skin and eye contact, and safe use of battery tools and accessories.
• Accommodation and housing
  • Requirements for battery rooms, enclosures, specially separated areas and recommended working distances in battery rooms.
• Charge current and ripple
  • Limits and guidance on charge profiles, ripple currents and recommended charging methods (see informative Annex on charging methods).
• Labels, warnings and documentation
  • Identification of cells/monoblocs, warning notices for rooms, and required installation/maintenance instructions.
• Lifecycle: transport, storage, disposal
  • Guidance for packing, dismantling, recycling and environmental aspects.
• Inspection and monitoring
  • Requirements and recommendations for regular inspection and ongoing monitoring of battery installations.
• Normative references
  • Cross‑references to related IEC/EN standards (for example IEC 60364 series, IEC 60896, IEC 60900, IEC 61660) for electrical installations and testing.

Practical applications and users

EN IEC 62485-2 is used by:

• Battery system designers and manufacturers (lead‑acid, NiCd/NiMH)
• Electrical installation and commissioning contractors
• Facility managers, data centers, telecoms and UPS providers
• Renewable energy and utility storage projects, substations and power plants
• Safety engineers, inspectors and maintenance teams
• Testing laboratories and regulators assessing compliance

Typical applications: backup power systems, uninterruptible power supplies, telecom battery rooms, industrial standby systems and stationary energy storage installations where safe operation, ventilation, electrical protection and end‑of‑life handling are critical.

Related standards

Relevant IEC/EN documents referenced include standards on low‑voltage electrical installations, battery construction and testing (e.g., IEC 60364, IEC 60896) and protective equipment standards - consult the normative references in EN IEC 62485‑2 for full cross‑referencing.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2018
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 50272-2:2002
9DUQRVWQH]DKWHYH]DVHNXQGDUQHEDWHULMHLQEDWHULMVNHQDSUDYHGHO
1HSUHPLþQHEDWHULMH
Safety requirements for secondary batteries and battery installations - Part 2: Stationary
batteries
Exigences de sécurité pour les batteries d'accumulateurs et les installations de batteries
- Partie 2: Batteries stationnaires
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 62485-2:2018
ICS:
29.220.20 .LVOLQVNLVHNXQGDUQLþOHQLLQ Acid secondary cells and
EDWHULMH batteries
29.220.30 $ONDOQLVHNXQGDUQLþOHQLLQ Alkaline secondary cells and
EDWHULMH batteries
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 62485-2

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2018
ICS 29.220.20; 29.220.30 Supersedes EN 50272-2:2001
English Version
Safety requirements for secondary batteries and battery
installations - Part 2: Stationary batteries
(IEC 62485-2:2010)
Exigences de sécurité pour les batteries d'accumulateurs et Sicherheitsanforderungen an Sekundär-Batterien und
les installations de batteries - Partie 2: Batteries Batterieanlagen - Teil 2: Stationäre Batterien
stationnaires (IEC 62485-2:2010)
(IEC 62485-2:2010)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2018-04-09. 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, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, 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
© 2018 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 62485-2:2018 E

European foreword
This document (EN IEC 62485-2:2018) consists of the text of IEC 62485-2:2010 prepared by
IEC/TC 21 "Secondary cells and batteries".

The following dates are fixed:

• latest date by which this document has to be (dop) 2019-04-09
implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement
(dow) 2021-04-09
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting
with this document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 50272-2:2001.

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 62485-2:2010 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 60065 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60065.
IEC 60079-10-1:2008 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60079-10-1:2009 (not modified).
IEC 60364-1 NOTE  Harmonized as HD 60364-1.
IEC 60364-4-42 NOTE  Harmonized as HD 60364-4-42.
IEC 60364-5-54 NOTE  Harmonized as HD 60364-5-54.
IEC 60364-7-706 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60364-7-706.
IEC 60950-1 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60950-1.
IEC 60990 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60990.
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 60364-4-41 -  Low-voltage electrical installations -- Part HD 60364-4-41 -
4-41: Protection for safety - Protection
against electric shock
IEC 60364-4-43 -  Low voltage electrical installations -- Part HD 60364-4-43 -
4-43: Protection for safety - Protection
against overcurrent
IEC 60364-5-53 -  Electrical installations of buildings -- Part 5-- -
53: Selection and erection of electrical
equipment - Isolation, switching and control
IEC 60529 1989 Degrees of protection provided by EN 60529 1991
enclosures (IP Code)
- -  + corrigendum May 1993
IEC 60622 2002 Secondary cells and batteries containing EN 60622 2003
alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes -
Sealed nickel-cadmium prismatic
rechargeable single cells
IEC 60623 2001 Secondary cells and batteries containing EN 60623 2001
alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes -
Vented nickel-cadmium prismatic
rechargeable single cells
IEC 60664-1 -  Insulation coordination for equipment EN 60664-1 -
within low-voltage systems -- Part 1:
Principles, requirements and tests
IEC 60896-11 2002 Stationary lead-acid batteries -- Part 11: EN 60896-11 2003
Vented types - General requirements and
methods of tests
IEC 60896-21 2004 Stationary lead-acid batteries -- Part 21: EN 60896-21 2004
Valve regulated types - Methods of test
IEC 60896-22 2004 Stationary lead-acid batteries -- Part 22: EN 60896-22 2004
Valve regulated types - Requirements
IEC 60900 -  Live working - Hand tools for use up to 1 EN 60900 -
000 V a.c. and 1 500 V d.c.
IEC 61140 -  Protection against electric shock - EN 61140 -
Common aspects for installation and
equipment
IEC 61340-4-1 -  Electrostatics -- Part 4-1: Standard test EN 61340-4-1 -
methods for specific applications -
Electrical resistance of floor coverings and
installed floors
IEC 61660-1 -  Short-circuit currents in d.c. auxiliary EN 61660-1 -
installations in power plants and
substations -- Part 1: Calculation of short-
circuit currents
IEC 61660-2 -  Short-circuit currents in d.c. auxiliary EN 61660-2 -
installations in power plants and
substations -- Part 2: Calculation of effects
IEC 62259 2003 Secondary cells and batteries containing EN 62259 2004
alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes -
Nickel-cadmium prismatic secondary single
cells with partial gas recombination
ISO 3864 series Graphical symbols - Safety colours and - -
safety signs
IEC/TR 60755 -  General requirements for residual current - -
operated protective devices
IEC 62485-2 ®
Edition 1.0 2010-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Safety requirements for secondary batteries and battery installations –
Part 2: Stationary batteries
Exigences de sécurité pour les batteries d’accumulateurs et les installations
de batteries –
Partie 2: Batteries stationnaires

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
W
CODE PRIX
ICS 29.220.20; 29.220.30 ISBN 978-2-88910-996-8
– 2 – 62485-2 © IEC:2010
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.4
INTRODUCTION.6
1 Scope.7
2 Normative references.7
3 Terms and definitions .8
4 Protection against electric shock.10
4.1 General .10
4.2 Protection against direct contact .11
4.3 Protection against indirect contact .11
4.3.1 Protection by automatic disconnection of supply.12
4.3.2 Protection by use of class II equipment or by equivalent insulation .16
4.3.3 Protection by electrical separation.16
4.4 Protection against both direct and indirect contact.16
4.4.1 General .16
4.4.2 Protection by Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV) or by Protective Extra
Low Voltage (PELV).16
4.4.3 Protection by Functional Extra Low Voltage (FELV) without protective
separation .17
5 Disconnection and separation .17
6 Prevention of short circuits and protection from other effects of electric current .17
6.1 General .17
6.2 Short-circuits .18
6.3 Protective measures during maintenance.18
6.4 Leakage currents.19
7 Provisions against explosion hazards .19
7.1 Gas generation.19
7.2 Ventilation requirements .19
7.3 Natural ventilation.21
7.4 Forced ventilation .22
7.5 Charging modes .22
7.6 Overcharging under fault conditions .22
7.7 Close vicinity to the battery .22
7.8 Prevention of electrostatic discharges when working with batteries.23
8 Provision against electrolyte hazard .23
8.1 Electrolyte and water .23
8.2 Protective clothing .23
8.3 Accidental contact and "First Aid".23
8.3.1 General .23
8.3.2 Eye contact.24
8.3.3 Skin contact.24
8.4 Battery accessories and maintenance tools.24
9 Accommodation, housing .24
9.1 General .24
9.2 Specific requirements for separate battery rooms.24
9.3 Specific requirements for the specially separated areas in rooms
accommodating electrical equipment .25

62485-2 © IEC:2010 – 3 –
9.4 Battery enclosures .25
9.5 Working on or near batteries.26
9.5.1 Working distances within battery rooms .26
9.5.2 Remarks on special work in battery rooms .26
9.6 Accommodation of lead-acid and NiCd batteries in the same room .26
10 Charge current requirements .26
10.1 Superimposed ripple current .26
10.2 Maximum ripple current .27
11 Identification labels, warning notices and instructions for use, installation and
maintenance.27
11.1 Warning labels and notices in rooms.27
11.2 Identification labels or marking on cells and monobloc batteries .27
11.3 Instructions for use, installation and maintenance .28
12 Transportation, storage, disposal and environmental aspects .28
12.1 Packing and transport.28
12.2 Dismantling, disposal, and recycling of batteries .28
13 Inspection and monitoring .28
Annex A (informative) Charging methods and modes of operation.30
Annex B (informative) Calculation of safety distance d to protect against explosion
hazards.34
Bibliography .37

Figure 1 – TN system with separate protective conductor (PE) in the entire system (TN-
S network) .13
Figure 2 – TN system with functional earthing and protective (FPE, PEN) combined with
an external line conductor (TN-C system) .13
Figure 3 – TT system .14
Figure 4 – IT system .15
Figure 5 – Converters with intermediate DC circuit (IT-system) (Example) .15
Figure A.1 – Parallel operation mode circuit.30
Figure A.2 – Battery charge current interlaced with frequent temporary discharge events
due to a load current exceeding the current supply capability.31
Figure A.3 – Response mode operation circuit.32
Figure A.4 – IU-or CC-CV charge profile.32
Figure A.5 – Time dependant profile of current I and voltage U .32
Figure B.1 – Safety distance d as a function of the rated capacity for various charge
currents I (mA/Ah).36

Table 1 – Values for current I when charging with IU- or U-charging profiles (see also
Annex A).21
Table 2 – Recommended upper limits of AC ripple current flowing through the battery
as I per 100 Ah rated battery capacity.27
eff
Table A.1 – Float charge voltages for lead-acid and NiCd batteries.30
Table A.2 – Typical charge voltage levels at 20 °C.33

– 4 – 62485-2 © IEC:2010
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR SECONDARY BATTERIES
AND BATTERY INSTALLATIONS –
Part 2: Stationary batteries
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 62485-2 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 21:
Secondary cells and batteries.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
21/711/FDIS 21/718/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts of the IEC 62485 series can be found, under the general title Safety
requirements for secondary batteries and battery installations, on the IEC website.

62485-2 © IEC:2010 – 5 –
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific publication. At this date, the publication 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.

– 6 – 62485-2 © IEC:2010
INTRODUCTION
The described safety requirements comprise the protective measures to protect from hazards
generated by the electricity, the electrolyte, and the explosive gases when using secondary
batteries. In addition measures are described to maintain the functional safety of batteries and
battery installations.
For the electrical safety (protection against electric shock) under Clause 4, this standard refers
to IEC 60364-4-41. The pilot function of this standard is fully observed by indication of cross-
reference numbers of the relevant clauses, but interpretation is given where adoption to direct
current (DC) circuits is required.
This safety standard comes into force with the date of publication and applies to all new
batteries and battery installations. Previous installations are intended to conform to the existing
national standards at the time of installation. In case of redesign of old installations this
standard applies.
Valve-regulated lead-acid batteries used in stationary battery installations are intended to fulfil
safety requirements in accordance to IEC 60896-21 and IEC 60896-22.

62485-2 © IEC:2010 – 7 –
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR SECONDARY BATTERIES
AND BATTERY INSTALLATIONS –
Part 2: Stationary batteries
1 Scope
This part of the IEC 62485 applies to stationary secondary batteries and battery installations
with a maximum voltage of DC 1 500 V (nominal) and describes the principal measures for
protections against hazards generated from:
– electricity,
– gas emission,
– electrolyte.
This International Standard provides requirements on safety aspects associated with the
erection, use, inspection, maintenance and disposal.
It covers lead-acid and NiCd / NiMH batteries.
Examples for the main applications are:
– telecommunications,
– power station operation,
– central emergency lighting and alarm systems,
– uninterruptible power supplies,
– stationary engine starting,
– photovoltaic systems.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application 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 60364-4-41, Low-voltage electrical installations – Part 4-41: Protection for safety –
Protection against electric shock
IEC 60364-4-43, Low-voltage electrical installations – Part 4-43: Protection for safety –
Protection against overcurrent
IEC 60364-5-53, Electrical installations of buildings – Part 5-53: Selection and erection of
electrical equipment – Isolation, switching and control
IEC 60529:1989, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 60622:2002, Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid
electrolytes –Sealed nickel cadmium prismatic rechargeable single cells
IEC 60623:2001, Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid
electrolytes –Vented nickel-cadmium prismatic rechargeable single cells

– 8 – 62485-2 © IEC:2010
IEC 60664-1, Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems – Part 1:
Principles, requirements and tests
IEC/TR 60755, General requirements for residual current operated protective devices
IEC 60896-11:2002, Stationary lead-acid batteries – Part 11: Vented types – General
requirements and methods of tests
IEC 60896-21:2004, Stationary lead-acid batteries – Part 21: Valve regulated types – Methods
of test
IEC 60896-22:2004, Stationary lead-acid batteries – Part 22: Valve regulated types –
Requirements
IEC 60900, Live working – Hand tools for use up to 1 000 V a.c. and 1 500 V d.c.
IEC 61140, Protection against electric shock – Common aspects for installation and equipment
IEC 61340-4-1, Electrostatics – Part 4-1: Standard test methods for specific applications –
Electrical resistance of floor coverings and installed floors
IEC 61660-1, Short-circuit currents in d.c. auxiliary installations in power plants and
substations – Part 1: Calculation of short-circuit currents
IEC 61660-2, Short-circuit currents in d.c. auxiliary installations in power plants and
substations – Part 2: Calculation of effects
IEC 62259:2003, Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline and other non-acid
electrolytes – Nickel cadmium prismatic secondary single cells with partial gas recombination
ISO 3864 (all parts), Graphical symbols – Safety colours and safety signs
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
(secondary) cell
(rechargeable) cell
single cell
assembly of electrodes and electrolyte which constitutes the basic unit of a secondary battery
NOTE This assembly is contained in an individual case and closed by a cover.
3.2
vented (secondary) cell
secondary cell having a cover provided with an opening through which gaseous products may
escape
3.3
valve regulated (secondary) cell
secondary cell which is closed under normal conditions but has an arrangement which allows
the escape of gas if the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined value. The cell cannot
normally receive addition to the electrolyte

62485-2 © IEC:2010 – 9 –
3.4
gastight sealed (secondary) cell
secondary cell which remains closed and does not release either gas or liquid when operated
within the limits of charge and temperature specified by the manufacturer. The cell may be
equipped with a safety device to prevent dangerously high internal pressure. The cell does not
require addition to the electrolyte and is designed to operate during its life in its original sealed
state
3.5
secondary battery
two or more secondary cells connected together and used as a source of electrical energy
3.6
lead dioxide-lead (acid) battery
secondary battery with an aqueous electrolyte based on dilute sulphuric acid, a positive
electrode of lead dioxide and a negative electrode of lead
3.7
nickel oxide-cadmium battery
secondary battery with an alkaline electrolyte, a positive electrode containing nickel oxide and
a negative electrode of cadmium
3.8
stationary battery
secondary battery which is designed for service in a fixed location and is not habitually moved
from place to place during the operating life. It is permanently connected to the d.c power
supply (fixed installation)
3.9
monobloc battery
battery with multiple separate but electrically connected cell compartments each of which is
designed to house an assembly of electrodes, electrolyte, terminals and interconnections and
possible separator
NOTE The cells in a monobloc battery can be connected in series or parallel.
3.10
electrolyte
liquid or solid substance containing mobile ions which render it ionically conductive
NOTE The electrolyte may be liquid, solid or a gel.
3.11
gassing
gas emission
evolution of gas resulting from the electrolysis of water in the electrolyte of a cell
3.12
charge
charging (of a battery)
operation during which a secondary cell or battery is supplied with electrical energy from an
external circuit which results in chemical changes within a cell and thus storage of energy as
chemical energy occurs
3.13
battery on float charge
secondary battery whose terminals are permanently connected to a source of constant voltage
sufficient to maintain the battery approximately fully charged, and which is intended to supply
power to an electrical circuit, if the normal supply is temporarily interrupted

– 10 – 62485-2 © IEC:2010
3.14
float (charge) voltage
constant voltage needed to keep the cell or battery fully charged
3.15
float charge current
current resulting from the float charge
3.16
boost charge
accelerated charge applied at greater than normal values of electrical current or of voltages
(for a particular design) during a short time interval
3.17
boost charge voltage
constant voltage -at higher voltage level- used in the boost charge
3.18
boost charge current
current arising from the boost charge voltage
3.19
discharge
discharging (of a battery)
operation during which a battery delivers, to an external circuit and under specified conditions,
electrical energy produced in the cells
3.20
overcharge
overcharging (of a cell or battery)
continued charging after the full charge of a secondary cell or battery
NOTE Overcharge is also the act of charging beyond a certain limit specified by the manufacturer.
3.21
nickel-metal hydride battery
a secondary battery with an electrolyte of aqueous potassium hydroxide, a positive electrode
containing nickels as nickel hydroxide and a negative electrode of hydrogen in the form of a
metal hydride
3.22
nominal voltage
suitable approximate value of the voltage used to designate or indentify a cell, a battery or an
electrochemical system
4 Protection against electric shock
4.1 General
Measures shall be taken in stationary battery installations for protection against either direct
contact or indirect contact or against both direct and indirect contact.
These measures are described in detail in IEC 60364-4-41 and IEC 61140. The following
subclauses describe the typical measures to be taken for battery installations and the resulting
amendments.
62485-2 © IEC:2010 – 11 –
The appropriate equipment standard IEC 61140 applies to batteries and direct current
distribution circuits located inside equipment.
4.2 Protection against direct contact
In battery installations, protection against direct contact with live parts shall be ensured in
accordance with IEC 60364-4-41.
The following protective measures apply:
– ”protection by insulation of live parts”;
– ”protection by barriers or enclosures”;
– ”protection by obstacles”;
– ”protection by placing out of reach”.
Protection by obstacles or by placing out of reach is expressly permitted in battery installations.
It requires however that batteries with nominal voltages from >DC 60 V to DC 120 V between
terminals and/or with nominal voltages from >DC 60 V to DC 120 V with respect to earth shall
be located in accommodation with restricted access, and batteries with a nominal voltage
above DC 120 V shall be located in accommodation with restricted access achieved by locks or
other equivalent means. Doors to battery rooms and cabinets are regarded as obstacles and
shall be marked with the warning labels according to 11.1.
Protection against direct contact is not required for batteries with nominal voltages up to or
equal DC 60 V as long the whole installation corresponds to the conditions for SELV (safety
extra low voltage) and PELV (protective extra low voltage) (see 4.4.2).
NOTE The nominal voltage of a lead dioxide - lead cell (lead acid) is 2,0 V, that of a nickel oxide – cadmium or
nickel oxide - metal hydride cell is 1,2 V. When these cells are boost charged, their voltage may reach 2,7 V in lead
acid or 1,6 V in nickel oxide based systems.
Short circuit protection may be required, see 6.2.
If protection by barriers or enclosures is applied, degrees of protection IEC 60529 IP 2X or
IPXXB shall at least be used.
4.3 Protection against indirect contact
In battery installations, protection against indirect contact shall be applied in accordance with
IEC 60364-4-41.
One or more of the following measures shall be selected:
– ”protection by automatic disconnection of supply”;
– ”protection by use of class II equipment or by equivalent insulation”;
– ”protection by non-conducting locations” (used in specific applications only);
– ”protection by earth-free local equipotential bonding” (used in specific applications only);
– ”protection by electrical separation”.
A nominal touch voltage of DC 120 V shall not be exceeded (see IEC 60449, IEC 60364-4-41
and IEC/TS 61201). Beyond this voltage other suitable protection schemas shall be
implemented.
Certain of these methods of protection require a protective conductor. Protective conductors or
conductors with a protective function shall not be disconnected by a switching device. No
switching device is permitted in a protective conductor. They shall not contain over-current
protection devices (see IEC 60364-4-41). For dimensioning the cross-sectional areas of
protective conductors, see IEC 60364-5-54.

– 12 – 62485-2 © IEC:2010
Battery stands or battery cabinets made from metal shall either be connected to the protective
conductor or insulated from the battery and the place of installation. This insulation shall
correspond to the conditions for protection by insulation according to IEC 60364-4-41. Other
simultaneously accessible conductive parts, i.e. metal ducts, shall be out of reach. For
requirements on creepage distances and clearances (see IEC 60664-1), using a value of
4 000 V for the high-voltage impulse test.
The following protective devices shall be used with direct current, as applicable to the type of
power system:
a) fuses;
b) over-current protective devices;
c) residual current or differential protective devices (RCD’s), suitable for DC current.
The residual current protective devices in accordance with IEC/TR 60755 shall be of type B
suitable for DC fault current.
e) insulation monitoring devices (e.g. in IT-systems);
f) fault-voltage operated protective devices (see IEC 60364-4-41).
4.3.1 Protection by automatic disconnection of supply
4.3.1.1 TN-system
In a TN-system (see IEC 60364-4-41) the positive or negative terminal (see Figure 1 and
Figure 2) or the central point (in special cases also a non-central point) of the battery
installation shall be connected to earth.
The exposed conductive parts of the equipment shall be connected to the protective conductor
1 2 3
(PE) , the PEN-conductor (PEN) , or the earthing functional and protective conductor (FPE) ,
which is connected to the point on the battery having earth potential. Additional earthing of the
protective conductor may be required in order to ensure that its potential deviates as little as
possible from earth potential.
For fixed mounted electrical equipment, the disconnecting time shall be within 5 s after a fault
occurs.
NOTE For portable equipment and socket-outlet circuits IEC 60364-4-41, applies.
PE conductor: conductor provided for purposes of safety, for examples protection against electrical
shock
PEN conductor conductor combining the functions of both protective earthing conductor and neutral
conductor
___________
For definitions see IEC 60364-5-54.
Introduced with reference to IEC 60364-5-54.
For definitions see IEC 60950-1.

62485-2 © IEC:2010 – 13 –
L+
L–
PE
DC power source
Battery
Load
IEC  1337/10
Figure 1 – TN system with separate protective conductor (PE)
in the entire system (TN-S network)
In the TN-S system, the protective conductor (PE) shall be free of load current.

L+
L–
DC power source
Battery
IEC  1338/10
Load
Figure 2 – TN system with functional earthing and protective (FPE, PEN)
combined with an external line conductor (TN-C system)
In the TN-C system for DC-installations, the protective conductor and the earthed line
conductor carrying the load current are combined. The cross-sectional area of the PEN or FPE
conductor shall be at least 10 mm Cu.
4.3.1.2 TT-System
In a TT-System (see Figure 3) the positive or negative terminal or another point on the battery
installation shall be connected to earth (system earth electrode).
The exposed conductive parts of the electrical installation shall be earthed individually, in
groups or collectively to a common earth electrode which is separate from the system earth
electrode.
All exposed conductive parts collectively protected by the same protective device, shall be
connected together with protective conductors to an earth electrode common to all those parts.
Simultaneously accessible conductive parts shall be connected to the same earth electrode
(IEC 60364-4-41).
– 14 – 62485-2 © IEC:2010
Apart from the protective devices mentioned in 4.3, fault-voltage operated protective devices
are also applicable (IEC 60364-4-41)
In TT-system circuits, when the protective device is an over-current protective device, the
disconnecting time for all equipment shall be within 5 s, after a fault occurs. According to
IEC 60364-4-41 over-current protective devices shall be only applicable for protection against
indirect contact when a very low value earth resistance R exists.
a
NOTE R is the sum of the resistance of the earth electrode and the protective conductors for the exposed
a
conductive parts.
For discrimination purpose, disconnecting times of up to 1 s are admitted, when using residual
current devices.
L+
L–
DC power source
PE
PE
Battery
Load
IEC  1339/10
Figure 3 – TT system
4.3.1.3 IT-system
In an IT system (see Figure 4) no point of the battery installation is directly connected to earth.
It shall be insulated from earth or connected to earth through a sufficiently high impedance (e.g.
through an insulation monitoring device).
All exposed conductive parts of equipment shall be earthed individually, in groups or
collectively to a common earth electrode via a protective conductor.
Exposed conductive parts which are protected by a common protective device shall be
connected by protective conductors to a common earth electrode. Exposed conductive parts
which are simultaneously accessible shall be connected to the same earth electrode
(IEC 60364-4-41).
Apart from the safety devices mentioned in 4.3, insulation monitoring devices suitable for DC
voltages are also applicable.
In an IT-system, disconnection is not required at the occurrence of the first fault from a live
part to the exposed conductive parts or to earth. If an insulation monitoring device is provided,
this device shall initiate an audible and/or visual signal (IEC 60364-4-41).
Precautions shall be taken to prevent hazardous touch voltage levels in the event of a second
fault (e.g. disconnection by an over-current protective device, a residual current or fault voltage
protective device) (see IEC 60364-4-41).

62485-2 © IEC:2010 – 15 –
L+
L–
PE
DC power source
R <
Battery
Insulation
monitoring
device
Load
IEC  1340/10
Figure 4 – IT system
4.3.1.4 Intermediate DC current circuits with electrical connection to the AC supply
Systems of this type (see Figure 5) are used, for example, in intermediate DC circuits of
converter devices, e.g. UPS systems. Over-current protective devices are necessary in all
conductors which lead to the battery.

L1
L2
Inverter
Rectifier
Battery
PE
IEC  1341/10
Figure 5 – Converters with intermediate DC circuit (IT-system) (Example)
It shall be ensured that no AC voltage appears at the battery terminals whose rms voltage
value with respect to earth is above the maximum battery charging voltage. To ensure this, the
DC system can be provided with an appropriate detection device, which either monitors the
fault or disconnects the rectifier circuit.
The protective provisions applied in the single/three-phase AC supply shall -where technically
possible- be retained for the DC circuit, and if necessary extended by suitable ancillary
components so that, in the event of a fault, no hazardous touch voltage (> AC 50 V or
> DC 120 V) remains at the exposed conductive parts of the equipment.

– 16 – 62485-2 © IEC:2010
Residual current protective devices (RCD’s) in accordance with IEC 60755 shall be of type B
suitable for DC fault current.
4.3.2 Protection by use of class II equipment or by equivalent insulation
Protection by double or reinforced insulation shall be employed for electrical equipment to
comply with protection class II according to IEC 61140 or equipment with equivalent insulation
(see IEC 60364-4-41).
4.3.3 Protection by electrical separation
For the application of protection by electrical separation, see IEC 60364-4-41.
A se
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