BS EN 61960-3:2017

What is BS EN 61960‑3 – Secondary cells and batteries about?

BS EN 61960‑3 is a European standard that discusses prismatic and cylindrical lithium secondary cells and batteries. Prismatic and Cylindrical cells are two materials that are used to build lithium batteries.

BS EN 61960‑3 specifies performance tests, designations, markings, dimensions and other requirements for secondary lithium single cells and batteries for portable applications.

The objective of BS EN 61960‑3 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:

• 18 kg or less in mass and not fixed in place,
• 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.

BS EN 61960‑3 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 BS EN 61960‑3 and others concerning safety such as IEC 62133-2.

NOTE: BS EN 61960‑3 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.

Who is BS EN 61960‑3 – Secondary cells and batteries for?

BS EN 61960‑3 on prismatic and cylindrical cells applies to:

• Manufacturer of battery and cells
• Quality testing personnel
• Electrical engineer

Why should you use BS EN 61960‑3 – Secondary cells and batteries?

Prismatic and Cylindrical cells are two materials that are used to build lithium batteries. In a nutshell, cells are cylindrical and use up more space. They are the most commonly used cell type due to their lower cost.

BS EN 61960‑3 provides you with the design and requirements of batteries to ensure the safe use of lithium-ion secondary batteries, cell manufacturer is provided with an equipment manufacturer, who design and produce lithium-ion secondary batteries with the requirements specified in IEC 62133-2:2017.

With obedience and compliance to BS EN 61960‑3, you can efficiently provide the ecosystem for prismatic and cylindrical cells for portable application through secondary lithium cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes. In this manner, you can deliver high-quality products.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS EN 61960‑3:2017 supersedes BS EN 61960:2011, which is withdrawn on 14 March 2020. It includes:

• 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)