Operation & Maintenance...

This Part of IEC 62485 specifies the basic requirements for secondary batteries and battery installations. The requirements regarding safety, reliability, life expectancy, mechanical strength, cycle stability, internal resistance, and battery temperature, are determined by various applications, and this, in turn, determines the selection of the battery design and technology. In general, the requirements and definitions are specified for Lead-Acid and Nickel Cadmium batteries. For other battery systems with aqueous electrolyte, the requirements may be applied accordingly.

This part of IEC 62485 applies to secondary batteries and battery installations used for electric vehicles (e.g., in electric industrial trucks, including lift trucks, tow trucks, cleaning machines, automatic guided vehicles), battery powered locomotives, electric vehicles (e.g., goods vehicles, golf carts, bicycles, wheelchairs) and does not cover the design of such vehicles. The standard covers Lead dioxide-Lead (Lead-Acid), nickel oxide-cadmium, nickel-oxide-metal hydride and other alkaline secondary batteries.

The document outlines the fundamental conditions necessary for the creation of each hazard. It includes identification and characterization of the possible hazards inherent in the application, use, and abuse of Nickel Cadmium cells and batteries. It also includes examples for appliance design which minimizes these hazards. Additionally it presents some typical but non-exhaustive examples of misuse that may precipitate or actions which mitigate the hazard.

The guidance covers the key elements to consider when devising safe working practices and is for people who carry out work on or near electrical equipment. It includes advice for managers and supervisors who control or influence the design, specification, selection, installation, commissioning, maintenance or operation of electrical equipment.

The document provides recommendations for installation design and for installation, maintenance, and testing procedures to optimize life and performance of vented Nickel Cadmium batteries in stationary standby applications. Also provides guidance for determining when these batteries should be replaced.

The recommended practice is limited to maintenance, test schedules, and testing procedures that can be used to optimize the life and performance of VRLA batteries for stationary applications. Also provides guidance to determine when batteries should be replaced. The maintenance and testing programs described represent “the best program” based on the information reviewed at the time this document was developed. Stationary cycling applications such as those found in alternative energy applications are beyond the scope of this recommended practice.

The document covers descriptions of products, methods, and procedures relating to stationary batteries, battery electrolyte spill mechanisms, electrolyte containment and control methodologies, and firefighting considerations are provided.

The document defines the areas of recommended knowledge for installers and maintainers of stationary batteries and related systems to the extent that they affect the battery. Design of the dc system and sizing of the dc battery charger(s) are beyond the scope of this recommended practice. This document covers Lead-Acid and Nickel Cadmium battery technologies.