IEC 62133-2-2021 PDF

Full title and description

Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes — Safety requirements for portable sealed secondary cells, and for batteries made from them, for use in portable applications — Part 2: Lithium systems. This entry refers to IEC 62133-2 consolidated with Amendment 1 (edition 1.1, 2017 + AMD1:2021), the IEC safety standard covering design, construction, tests and marking requirements for portable sealed lithium secondary cells and batteries.

Abstract

IEC 62133-2 specifies safety requirements and test methods to reduce risks associated with portable sealed lithium secondary cells and batteries under intended use and reasonably foreseeable misuse. The document includes electrical, mechanical, thermal and environmental tests, requirements for cell-to-battery assembly, marking and instructions, plus additional requirements introduced by the 2021 amendment. The consolidated edition (2017 + AMD1:2021) presents the base standard with the amendment integrated.

General information

• Status: Published / active (consolidated edition 1.1: 2017 + Amendment 1:2021).
• Publication date: Amendment 1 published in 2021 (consolidated edition 1.1 dated July 2021). The base Part 2 standard was published in 2017.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 29.220.30 (Alkaline secondary cells and batteries).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.1 (IEC 62133-2:2017 + AMD1:2021, consolidated).
• Number of pages: Base 2017 edition: 94 pages; consolidated edition (2017 + AMD1:2021, redline/consolidated PDF) is larger (consolidated/redline publications are reported around 190 pages).

Scope

Specifies requirements and tests for safe operation of portable sealed secondary lithium cells and batteries containing non‑acid electrolytes for use in portable applications, covering design, construction and type testing to address electrical, thermal and mechanical hazards during normal use and foreseeable misuse. The scope excludes industrial stationary battery systems and certain vehicle applications that are covered by other IEC standards.

Key topics and requirements

• Cell and battery electrical tests (overcharge, forced internal short-circuit, external short-circuit, abnormal charging conditions).
• Mechanical tests (vibration, shock, impact) and tests addressing cell-to-battery assembly integrity.
• Thermal abuse tests, temperature cycling and heating tests to assess thermal stability and propagation risks.
• Environmental tests relevant to portable use (humidity, altitude, transport conditions as applicable).
• Requirements for protective circuitry, current interrupt devices and safeguards where applicable.
• Marking, documentation and user instructions including safe handling, charging and disposal information.
• Special provisions introduced by the 2021 amendment (clarifications, updated test requirements and editorial corrections consolidated into edition 1.1).

Typical use and users

Applied by battery cell and pack designers, portable equipment manufacturers, compliance and test laboratories, certification bodies and regulatory authorities to demonstrate that lithium secondary cells and batteries intended for portable applications meet internationally recognized safety criteria. It is commonly used when preparing type-test reports, CB/IECEE testing and CE/market conformity documentation in regions that adopt IEC standards.

Related standards

Related and complementary documents include: IEC 62133‑1 (the counterpart for nickel systems / Part 1), various transport and battery-specific standards such as IEC 62619 (industrial lithium secondary cells and batteries), IEC 60086‑4 (safety of primary lithium batteries) and technical reports referenced within IEC 62133‑2 (for example IEC TR 62914 among bibliography items). Regional/adopted versions (EN/EN IEC) may exist with the amendment included.

Keywords

lithium batteries, secondary cells, portable batteries, battery safety, overcharge test, internal short-circuit, thermal abuse, vibration and shock tests, IEC 62133-2, amendment 2021, cell-to-battery assembly, marking.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 62133‑2 is the IEC safety standard that sets requirements and test methods for portable sealed lithium secondary cells and batteries (Part 2 of the IEC 62133 series). The 2017 base edition was updated with Amendment 1 in 2021 and is published as a consolidated edition (edition 1.1).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers design, construction, type tests and marking/documentation requirements needed to reduce risks (electrical, thermal, mechanical and environmental) for portable lithium cells and batteries during intended use and foreseeable misuse. Specific test methods (e.g., forced internal short, overcharge, external short, vibration, shock, thermal tests) and assembly requirements are included.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Battery manufacturers (cells and packs), OEMs of portable equipment, compliance/test laboratories, certification bodies (CB/IECEE) and regulators use the standard to design, test and certify batteries for safe portable use.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The consolidated edition (IEC 62133‑2:2017 + AMD1:2021, edition 1.1) is the published, amended version of Part 2. Users should confirm on the IEC webstore or their national standards body whether a later edition or replacement (revision) has been published after 2021 before relying on it for certification or regulatory compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 62133 is a multipart series. Part 1 addresses nickel systems (IEC 62133‑1) while Part 2 covers lithium systems (IEC 62133‑2). The series is intended to cover portable sealed secondary cells and batteries across chemistries with appropriate parts for each system.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Lithium systems, portable batteries, secondary cells, battery safety tests, overcharge, internal short-circuit, mechanical abuse, marking, IEC 62133‑2, amendment 2021.