The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) released the ANSI C18.2M, Part 2-2007 for Portable Rechargeable Cells and Batteries-Safety Standard. The new standard outlines performance requirements for portable, rechargeable cells and batteries to make sure of safe operation under a variety of user and environmental conditions. It is specific to two distinct chemistry systems: lithium ion and nickel. Lead acid batteries are no longer included, due to current market conditions.

ANSI C18.2M Part 1-2007 for Portable Rechargeable Cells and Batteries—General and Specifications is a separate yet complementary document that covers specification sheets for various types of cells and batteries.

According to S. Keel Kelly, chairman of ANSI C18-5 subcommittee on safety standards, the current revision covers the two chemistry systems in separate and distinct sections that reflect the technical requirements and testing conditions for each. “The formatting used in this revision makes it more user-friendly from the perspective of both designers of battery compartments, and for end users of the batteries,” Kelly said. 

Although this is a safety standard, Kelly cautioned that there is no absolute safety. “Safety is a balance between freedom from risk of harm and the demands that a product must meet,” he said. “Even at the highest level of safety, any product can only be relatively safe. When this standard is followed on a judicious basis, it provides reasonably consistent benchmarks for safety.”

For more information, click here