BATTERY STANDARDIZATION

Introduction
• The standardization of batteries started in
1912, when a committee of the American
Electrochemical Society recommended
standard methods of testing dry cells.
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Accredited Standards Committee C18 on
Portable Cells and Batteries.
• Many battery standards were also issued by
international, national, military, and federal
organizations.
• AA and AAA batteries, as well as C and D batteries, all have 1.5
volts.

• The most obvious difference between them is their size. The

AA cell battery is slightly longer and wider than the AAA
battery. The C cell battery is larger than the AA battery, and
the D battery is larger than the others.

• Battery size determines the amount of current and power

available. Appliances that require more power take larger-size
batteries.

• The AAA batteries are designed for use in small, low-power,

mostly portable devices. Remote controls and clocks are
typical examples. The AA batteries are designed to be used in
devices that consume more power, such as battery-operated
toys and small electric flashlights.
 International Standards
• The International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) is
the designated organization responsible for
standardization in the fields of electricity, electronics,
and related technologies.
• This organization was founded in 1906 and consists of 50
national committees that represent more than 80% of
the world’s population and 95% of the world’s
production and consumption of electricity.
• The International Standards Organization (ISO) is
responsible for international standards in fields other
than electrical. IEC and ISO are gradually adopting
equivalent development and documentation procedures
while ever closer ties are being established between
these two international organizations.
 International Standards
• The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is
the sole U.S. representative of the IEC through the
United States National Committee (USNC).
• This committee coordinates all IEC activities in the
United States.
• ANSI does not itself develop standards; rather it
facilitates development by establishing consensus
among accredited, qualified groups.
• ANSI also serve as interface with emerging regional
standards-developing bodies such as CENELEC, PASC,
CANENA, COPANT, ARSO, and other foreign and
national groups.
 Objectives of the IEC
• Efficiently meet the requirements of the global
marketplace
• Ensure maximum use of its standards and conformity
assessment schemes
• Assess and improve the quality of products and
services covered by its standards
• Establish conditions for interchangeability
• Increase the efficiency of electrotechnical industrial
processes
• Contribute to the improvement of human health and
safety
• Work towards protection of the environment
 International Standards
• The IEC sponsors the development and publication of
standard documents.
• This development is carried out by working groups of
experts from participating countries.
• These experts represent consumer, user, producer,
academia, government, and trade and professional
interests in the consensus development of these
standards.
• The Groups of Experts in IEC working on battery
standards are:
 TC 21: Rechargeable Batteries
 TC 35: Primary Batteries
 Concept of Standardization
• The objective of battery interchangeability is achieved by
specifying the preferred values for the
 physical aspects of the battery, such as dimensions,
polarity, terminals, nomenclature and marketing.
 performance characteristics, such as service life or
capacity
• For the replacement of the battery It is therefore
essential that certain characteristics of the battery be
specified by standard values—size, shape, voltage and
terminals.
• The designation for the ANSI Committee on Portable
Cells and Batteries is C18.
• The IEC nomenclature system for primary batteries,
which became effective in 1992, is based on the
electrochemical system and the shape and size of the
battery.
 IEC AND ANSI NOMENCLATURE SYSTEMS
• The designation for the ANSI Committee on Portable
Cells and Batteries is C18.
• The IEC nomenclature system for primary batteries,
which became effective in 1992, is based on the
electrochemical system and the shape and size of the
battery.
• The letter designations for the electrochemical system
and the type of cell remain the same as in the previous
IEC system for primary batteries.
• The new numerical designations are based on a
diameter/ height number instead of the arbitrary size
classification used previously.
• The first digits specify the diameter of the cell in
millimeters and the second the height of the cell
(millimeters times 10).
Test conditions in the standard must consider and therefore specify the
following:
Cell (battery) temperature
Discharge rate (or load resistance)
Discharge termination criteria (typically loaded voltage)
Discharge duty cycle
If rechargeable, charge rate, termination criteria (either time or feedback of cell
response)
and other conditions of charge
Humidity and other conditions of storage may also be required.
Regulatory and Safety Standards