Rechargeable Battery Standards

The IEEE and other standards bodies have outlined battery standards. The IEEE battery standard is determined by IEC 61951-2. This standard discusses industry practices for determining things such as battery capacity, cycle life and acceptable self discharge rates. ( see BS EN 61951-2:2001, IEC 61951-2:2001 )

More Specifically:

• IEC 61951-2 Ed. 2.0 b:2003 Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes - Portable sealed rechargeable single cells - Part 2: Nickel-metal hydride This part of IEC 61951 specifies marking, designation, dimensions, tests and requirements for portable sealed nickel-metal hydride, small prismatic, cylindrical and button rechargeable single cells, suitable for use in any orientation.

Any rechargeable battery manufacturer that tests their products according to standards allows them to state, list or even directly compare battery performance with any other manufacturer that tested their products according to the same standard. It is a simple way of being able to compare apple to apples. You cannot compare two items if they are not tested using the same test method, standard or procedure.

Any rechargeable battery manufacturer that tests their products according to a published and industry accepted standard is demonstrating that they are serious and want their product taken seriously.

What does this mean for you the consumer?

If you know nothing about the standards used, it may not help you at all. If the manufacturer uses but does not indicate to the consumer that it uses industry accepted standards, this is also not helpful. It’s like the Doomsday bomb in Dr. Strangelove.

Even if you know nothing about the standard, knowing a product is manufactured and tested using industry accepted standards is better than no indication at all.

Do all manufacturers practice industry accepted standards when manufacturing or verifying the quality of their product?

That would be a perfect world!

You the, reader, be the judge.

Here are a few scenarios to think about:

1. If all manufacturers practiced industry accepted standards, every product would be great. They meet every expectation and deliver what they say they will deliver! We know this is not true.
2. Some products are great because for those companies, integrity is a long term investment. Even though it is not stated, they probably do practice industry accepted standards.
3. Some products are below or well below average. Maybe they do practice industry accepted standards, but the marketing and sales information does not reflect reality. Do you believe everything you read?
4. Many products are relabeled and repackaged. Do you think these wholesalers, private labels or import/export businesses have testing labs? Do you think they follow standards or strict marketing and sales guidelines?
5. What happens to the bad batches or second quality products? There is a huge market for “seconds” in just about anything you can think of. Do you think those are tested and marketed according to standards?
6. What about rechargeable battery products that have been in storage for long periods of time or rechargeable battery products that have not been properly handled? Do you think those products reflect the label or a testing standard?
7. Etc…

Here are some more interesting questions to consider:

• Does the 0.2C Constant Current test reflect how you would use a rechargeable battery?
• Do you use your batteries such that it is drained in exactly 5 hours?
• Do you think that the manufacturer designed the rechargeable battery to perform equally well at other rates?
• Do you EXPECT the rechargeable battery to perform equally and reasonably well at other rates?
• Do you use rechargeable batteries in low power devices like MP3 players, remotes, toys or other gadgets where they could last more than 10 hours ( a discharge rate less than 0.1C ).
• Do you use your rechargeable batteries in non-constant high drain devices like digital cameras, high powered flashlights or high powered UHF, VHF or GMRS radios?

You be the judge. The existence of a standard does not guarantee that you have a product in hand that meets those standards. The existence of a standard does not mean that the label reflects a manufacturing or testing procedure or that you have a quality product.

See here for a more complete list of battery standards.