What’s UL1642 Certification?

By John, Updated on March 1, 2024

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What is UL 1642? Understanding the importance of UL 1642 certification for lithium-ion batteries ensures product safety and compliance. This article explores the standards, coverage, and significance of UL 1642 in battery technology.

Part 1. What is UL1642?

UL1642, created by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), is a pivotal benchmark for lithium-ion battery safety. It outlines rigorous tests and requirements to ensure these batteries meet stringent safety standards. These tests encompass various aspects, such as battery construction, electrical performance, and resistance to environmental factors like temperature and vibration.

Essentially, UL1642 certification signifies that a battery has undergone thorough testing and meets the necessary safety criteria for consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and medical devices. This certification is crucial for manufacturers and consumers, as it assures product safety and compliance with industry standards.

Part 2. What products does UL 1642 cover?

UL 1642 covers a variety of products that utilize different types of batteries, including:

Lithium-ion batteries: Widely used in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage systems.

Lithium polymer batteries: Commonly found in smartphones, tablets, and portable electronic devices due to their lightweight and flexible design.

Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries: Often used in power tools, digital cameras, and remote-controlled toys for their high energy density and rechargeability capabilities.

Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries: These are found in older electronic devices, emergency lighting systems, and cordless phones for their durability and long-lasting performance.

Lead-acid batteries: Primarily used in automotive applications, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and industrial equipment due to their reliability and low cost.

Alkaline batteries: Frequently used in household devices such as remote controls, clocks, and flashlights for their affordability and wide availability.

Part 3. What’s the UL1642 standard for lithium-ion batteries?

The UL1642 standard for lithium-ion batteries sets forth specific criteria and testing procedures to ensure the safety and reliability of these batteries. Here’s a breakdown of what the standard entails:

Physical Construction: The standard evaluates the physical construction of lithium-ion batteries, including aspects such as cell design, casing materials, and insulation to prevent short circuits and mechanical damage.

Electrical Performance: It assesses the electrical performance of batteries, including voltage, capacity, and discharge characteristics, to ensure they meet specified requirements and operate safely within their intended parameters.

Environmental Testing: UL1642 includes environmental tests to assess the battery’s performance under various conditions such as temperature extremes, humidity, and vibration, ensuring they can withstand real-world usage scenarios.

Safety Features: The standard mandates safety features such as built-in protection circuits to prevent overcharging, over-discharging, and thermal runaway, mitigating the risk of fire or explosion.

Chemical Composition: It also evaluates the chemical composition of lithium-ion batteries, ensuring compliance with regulations regarding hazardous substances and environmental safety.

Part 4. What are the test items for UL1642 certification?

Overcharge Test: Evaluate the battery’s ability to withstand overcharging conditions without experiencing thermal runaway or other safety hazards.

Overdischarge Test: Assesses the battery’s performance when subjected to prolonged discharge, ensuring it can safely handle low voltage conditions without damage.

Short Circuit Test: Determines the battery’s response to a short circuit, verifying that it can safely handle high current conditions without causing a fire or explosion.

Crush Test: Tests the battery’s resistance to mechanical abuse by applying a specified force to simulate crushing or impact, ensuring it remains intact and does not rupture or leak.

Impact Test: Evaluate the battery’s ability to withstand impact forces, such as dropping or striking, without experiencing damage or safety hazards.

Temperature Cycling Test: Subjects the battery to repeated cycles of temperature extremes to assess its thermal stability and performance under varying environmental conditions.

Vibration Test: Measures the battery’s ability to withstand vibration and mechanical shock, simulating conditions encountered during transportation or use in mobile devices.

Altitude Simulation Test: Determines the battery’s performance at different altitudes, ensuring it operates safely and reliably under varying atmospheric pressure conditions.

External Short Circuit Test: Tests the battery’s response to an external short circuit, verifying that it can safely handle such events without causing a safety hazard.

Mechanical Shock Test: Evaluates the battery’s resilience to mechanical shocks, such as dropping or impact, ensuring it remains intact and functional.

Part 5. Why is UL1642 certification necessary?

UL1642 certification holds significant importance for several reasons:

Safety Assurance: UL1642 certification ensures that lithium-ion batteries meet stringent safety standards, reducing the risk of fire, explosion, or other safety incidents during use.

Compliance: Compliance with UL1642 certification is often a legal requirement in many jurisdictions, especially for products sold in regulated markets, such as consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and medical devices.

Consumer Confidence: Displaying the UL1642 certification mark instills confidence in consumers, assuring them that the product has undergone rigorous testing and meets recognized safety standards.

Market Access: Many retailers and distributors require UL1642 certification before stocking them, allowing manufacturers to access a broader market and reach more customers.

Brand Reputation: Obtaining UL1642 certification demonstrates a manufacturer’s commitment to safety and quality, enhancing its brand reputation and credibility in the market.

Risk Mitigation: UL1642 certification helps mitigate the risk of product recalls, liability claims, and damage to brand reputation associated with safety incidents related to lithium-ion batteries.

International Acceptance: UL1642 certification is recognized globally, facilitating the export of products to international markets by demonstrating compliance with internationally recognized safety standards.

Part 6. FAQs

What is the difference between UL2054 and UL1642?

UL2054 focuses on the safety of household and commercial batteries, while UL1642 covers the safety of lithium batteries.
What is the difference between UL1642 and IEC62133?

UL1642 primarily addresses lithium battery safety, whereas IEC62133 covers the safety requirements for rechargeable lithium batteries.
What is the UL1973 standard?

UL1973 is a standard for batteries used in electric and hybrid electric vehicles, ensuring their safety and performance.
What is the IEC code for batteries?

The IEC battery code is IEC 60086, which covers primary and secondary batteries.
Is UL1642 mandatory?

UL1642 compliance is not mandatory but is often required for lithium batteries to ensure safety and quality standards are met.