Conformity Magazine - October 2007 - (Page 14)

carriers. Carriers introducing broadband services are focused on minimizing costs and desire a truly maintenance-free battery product that can provide remote monitoring, offer the reliability of flooded CO cells, operate in extremely cold and hot environments, and provide great energy density. As a result, within the last few years, carriers have shown interest in deploying rechargeable, maintenance-free, lithium batteries in their outdoor networks. The Case for Lithium-Battery Generic Requirements Researchers have been very interested in the energy-storage traits of lithium batteries. Telcordia researchers, for instance, invented a plastic lithium-ion (PL-iON)1 technology that superseded today’s commercially available lithium cells. This research and the research of other organizations established that lithium batteries can be a viable standby and emergency power option. The lithium battery’s lightweight, high specific energy, high cell voltage (e.g., up to 5 V), and potential for a wide operational range provided this positive outlook. Researchers also realized that a greater emphasis would need to be placed on safety. Why? Because of lithium’s high specific energy and potentially violent reaction with air or moisture, researchers understood that lithium batteries, if poorly manufactured or mistreated electrically, mechanically, or thermally, could fail in an unsafe manner. The United Nations lithium battery testing regulations, the recent major recalls of millions of lithium-ion cells, the UPS cargo fire in Philadelphia, and the FAA’s push to regulate the transport of lithium battery packs on airline flights are evidence of the researchers’ concerns. Figure 1: Laptop flames at conference These recent challenges have not stymied the commercialization of the technology in other industries. Focused discussions, manufacturing refinements, testing and inspection processes, improving engineering of protection devices to lessen the effects of electrical, mechanical, and thermal abuse, and the development of more temperature stable cell materials have all helped to continue the commercialization. Similar to other industries, the telecommunications battery community also does not want these challenges to impede the use of this technology. Therefore, to address these challenges, a new Generic Requirements document (GR) was deemed necessary. GR-3150, Generic Requirements for Secondary Non-Aqueous Lithium Batteries, was developed by Telcordia and several members of the telecommunications industry, and provides vendor-neutral and industry-approved testing of general product design, safety, and performance requirements. For telecommunications, industry discussion and consensus prior to full deployment is important because: • Lithium Can React Violently: Lithium is very reactive and will oxidize violently in the presence of air or moisture. GR-3150 requirements were developed to evaluate the integrity of the battery construction and assess the hazard potential of lithium batteries before the decision for full deployment is made. • NEBS™ Testing Is Not Enough: Third-party NEBS testing provides physical protection requirements for all 14 Conformity oCtober 2007 http://www.okaya.com http://www.okaya.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Conformity Magazine - October 2007

Contents Editor’s Note Commission Proposes Changes for 57-64 GHz Spectrum Rules FCC Continues Actions Against Jamming Device Distributors Radio Operator Fined for Failing to Make Equipment Available for Inspection Commission Fines Unsolicited Fax Advertisers Firm Offering Quality Standards Training Also Fined Breaking New Ground with Lithium-Battery Generic Requirements for Use in Telecommunications Facilities ESD Open Forum EMC UK 2007 Conference Set Staying Abreast of U.S. E-Waste Legislation EU Commission Establishes RFID Expert Group Update on China's CCC Compliance Program System Level ESD Testing: The Waveforms An Alternative Approach to Surge Suppression Testing Equipment Buyer's Guide EU Scientific Committee Releases Updated Data on EMF Risks Updated Standards List For The EU’s EMC Directive Updated Standards List For The EU’s Directives on Measuring Instruments Call for Presentations for 2008 International ESD Workshop Announced CPSC Actions In The News IEC Standards Update Product Reviews UL Standards Update New Products From Our “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up” Department Looking Back: Items from Past Issues of Conformity Upcoming Events Advertisers

Conformity Magazine - October 2007

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