NEMA Publishes Two Battery Standards

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published revisions to two standards within the ANSI C18 series of standards for batteries:

• ANSI C18.1M, Part 2-2011 American National Standard for Portable Primary Cells and Batteries with Aqueous Electrolyte—Safety Standard
  
• ANSI C18.3M, Part 2-2011 American National Standard for Portable Lithium Primary Cells and Batteries—Safety Standard
  

Both safety standards were produced by the Accredited Standards Committee C18 on Portable Cells and Batteries and were last published in 2003. The revisions include updated safety tests and content to keep current with best practices.

Each standard specifies tests and requirements for specific types of batteries to ensure their safe operation under normal use and reasonably foreseeable misuse. In ANSI C18.3M, Part 2, the committee highlighted the importance of designing battery compartments with mechanical retention devices to prevent swallowing and ingestion of batteries by children. Annex A, though informative, provides guidance for device designers when considering the proper use of batteries in electrical devices.

The contents and scope of ANSI C18.1M, Part 2 may be viewed, or a hardcopy or electronic copy purchased for $78, by visiting www.nema.org/stds/c18-1m2.cfm. For ANSI C18.3M, Part 2, also $78, go to www.nema.org/stds/c18-3m2.cfm.

Both standards may also be purchased by contacting IHS at 800-854-7179 (within the U.S.), 303-397-7956 (international), 303-397-2740 (fax), or global.ihs.com.

NEMA is the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end use of electricity. These products are used in utility, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. The association’s Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Division represents manufacturers of cutting-edge medical diagnostic imaging equipment including MRI, CT, x-ray, and ultrasound products. Worldwide sales of NEMA-scope products exceed $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City.