IEC 62619: Cell-Level Certification vs. Battery Pack Certification (Part 1)
What is IEC 62619?
IEC 62619 is an international standard that ensures the safety of industrial lithium cells and battery packs. It defines safety requirements for every stage from battery design and manufacturing to usage, ensuring that batteries remain safe and reliable during transportation, installation, operation, and even under unexpected conditions.
Difference Between Cell-Level and Battery System Certification
| Item | Cell-Level Certification | Battery System Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Test Object |
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| Test Content |
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| Functional Safety |
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| Information & Marking |
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| Applicable Annexes |
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Why Cell-Level Certification Alone is Not Enough
- Thermal Runaway May Propagate: A single cell may pass safety tests without catching fire or exploding, but within a battery pack, a failure in one cell can trigger a chain reaction, potentially causing the entire pack to catch fire. Only system-level testing can reveal this risk.
- Management System May Fail: Battery packs usually include a BMS to monitor voltage, current, and temperature. Without system-level certification, there is no guarantee that the BMS will function correctly under abnormal conditions.
- Many people assume that “cell safety = pack safety,” which is incorrect. Wiring, heat dissipation, and protective measures in the pack are equally important and must undergo system-level testing and verification.
Summary
- Cell-level certification: Verifies the safety of individual cells under extreme conditions.
- Battery system certification: Ensures overall safety of the assembled cells and verifies the functionality of the management system.
In short, cell-level certification only guarantees component safety. To ensure the complete battery pack is truly safe and reliable, system-level certification is essential.
References
- IEC 62619:2022, Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes – Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries, for use in industrial applications
- IEC 62620, Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes – Safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries for use in industrial applications – Marking
- TÜV SÜD interpretation and certification guidance
