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General Lithium Ion Battery Safety

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Safe Handling and Use of Li-Ion Batteries for Power Tools

For many years, the chemistry used in power tool batteries was commonly nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) and nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd). During the past decade there has been an almost universal conversion to lithium-ion (Li-Ion). There were numerous reasons for the change, such as higher energy density (more energy in a smaller size), lower-toxicity materials, no memory effect, slow rate of self-discharge. The benefits of this newer Li-Ion technology have allowed higher-demand tools and applications to be battery powered, and provide significantly more work-per-charge. This extended capability, combined with the portability of battery tools, has resulted in a dramatic increase in their use.

A battery is designed to direct its energy along defined pathways in a controlled manner. When the energy finds a different, possibly even uncontrolled path, contact with caustic chemicals, burns from escaping chemicals, fire, or explosion can result &#; in some cases weeks after an internal fault occurs. The higher the energy density of a Li-Ion battery, the greater the potential to cause damage.

Each original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has its own proprietary control circuity for the total system, which encompasses the tool, battery, and charger. This is so the three components communicate properly. There are numerous design considerations manufacturers address in the construction of their batteries: type and quality of cells; durability of electrical connections; electronic controls (in the battery, charger, and tool); protective housing; compliance with standards and 3rd-party certification; etc.

For all these safety and compliance considerations, batteries are not cross-compatible (unless specified by the power tool manufacturer). When buying aftermarket batteries for power tools, it is important to consult with the power tool owner&#;s manual and purchase only the batteries recommended by the manufacturer.

• You must always read your manufacturer&#;s instruction manual (battery, charger, and tool) for complete information
• Only use original manufacturer&#;s system components &#; tool, battery, and charger. Each manufacturer utilizes their own unique control circuity which allows the system to communicate properly. This system monitors and controls critical functions, such as cell balance, energy levels, flow of energy in/out, and temperatures.
• Do not impact or damage a battery (e.g., do not use it as a hammer), use it solely for the defined purpose as specified by the manufacturer. Inspect your battery regularly for signs of damage, such as crushing, cuts, or punctures. Do not use a battery that has received a sharp blow, been dropped or is damaged.
• Never modify, disassemble, or tamper with the battery. The performance of damaged or modified batteries can be unpredictable and dangerous. Do not short circuit the battery terminals. Battery pack will short circuit if a metal object makes a connection between the positive and negative contacts on the battery pack. Do not store or transport the battery in a container with loose metal objects, such as coins, keys, or nails, which may contact the terminals.
• Be mindful of abnormal battery behavior &#; failure to fully charge or hold a charge, longer-than-usual charging times, noticeable drop in performance, unusual LED activity when placed on a charger (with batteries so equipped), liquid leakage from the battery, or melted plastic anywhere on the pack. These are indications of an internal problem.
• Use and store your battery within the temperature limits stated by the manufacturer. Do not store in a closed location where sunlight may cause elevated temperatures, such as near a window inside a vehicle.
• As a general practice, it is best to unplug battery chargers and remove battery packs when not in use. Do not store batteries on their chargers.
• Never burn / incinerate a battery or expose to a heat source &#; it may explode.
• Do not immerse the battery or allow any fluids to flow inside. Conductive liquid ingress, such as water, can cause damage resulting in fire or explosion. Store your battery in a cool, dry place, away from combustible and flammable items. Corrosive gas atmospheres must be avoided.
• If you suspect your battery may have a problem, do not use, ship, or discard as normal trash. Always dispose of your battery pack according to federal, state, and local regulations. Contact a recycling agency in your area for recycling locations. Even discharged battery packs contain some energy. Before disposing, use electrical tape to cover the terminals to prevent the battery pack from short circuit.
• There are also carrier requirements that need to be considered when shipping Lithium-Ion batteries (see resources below for examples).
• Do not attempt to revive a battery that will not take a charge. Do not jumpstart, use other batteries, or use other power sources. Doing so may cause long-term battery damage that can result in burns, fire, or explosion.

FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES CONSULT THE FOLLOWING:

• http://phmsa.dot.gov/safetravel/batteries
• https://www.ups.com/media/news/en/pack_ship_batteries.pdf
• http://www.fedex.com/id/tools/lithium.html
• https://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/dgr/Documents/lithium-battery-guidance-document--en.pdf
• Shipping Lithium Ion Batteries for Cordless Power Tools and Electric Garden Equipment: Implementation of Dangerous Goods Transport Regulations
  Edition : http://www.epta.eu/rechargeable-batteries/lithium-ion-batteries

Use Original Power Tool Manufacturer Batteries - Avoid the Hazards of Knock-Off and Counterfeit Batteries

Li-Ion batteries have become the industry-standard energy source for cordless power tools. There are numerous beneficial reasons for this &#; with an accompanying need for safe handling (see PTI&#;s industry topic, &#;Safe Handling and Use of Li-Ion Batteries for Power Tools&#;). Another important safety aspect is thoughtful battery selection.

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Reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) have their products &#;listed&#;. This is a process whereby an independent certification lab (such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA)), tests and evaluates the product for compliance with internationally-accepted safety standards (note &#;listing&#; is mandatory for power tools used in work environments governed by OSHA). For cordless power tool &#;systems&#; (i.e., a dedicated combination of one-or-more tools / batteries / chargers), these standards evaluate the &#;system&#; to ensure the tool, battery, and charger communicate properly to monitor and control critical functions, such as cell balance, energy levels, flow of energy in/out, and temperatures. Only the tool manufacturer is able to obtain &#;system&#; certification, because each manufacturer utilizes their own proprietary control circuity to achieve compliance, and the circuitry design is not available to third-party component suppliers.

Be aware that counterfeit batteries &#; 3rd-party batteries which appear to be OEM &#; and knock-off batteries are surfacing in the marketplace.  Counterfeit batteries are, by definition, illegal, and therefore are not certified by any &#;recognized&#; lab &#; although in some cases the tool may bear a UL or CSA sticker.  Because some counterfeit and knock-off batteries can be difficult to distinguish from OEM, the best way to avoid this painful experience is: (1) purchase batteries from authorized dealers and distributors; and (2) if the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Of course, it takes more time, effort, and cost to design, test and &#;list&#; a complete power tool system across an entire product portfolio &#; which is where lower cost counterfeit and knock-off batteries come in.  Some knock-off batteries may be &#;listed&#; to a general battery safety standard; some are not tested or &#;listed&#; to any safety standard.  As with any Li-Ion battery that is not intentionally designed to work properly with a specific tool and charger system, the result can be poor performance, shorter life, damage to the tool and charger, the voiding of a tool&#;s warranty or a battery bursting that may cause a fire or explosion resulting in personal injury and/or property damage.  For these reasons, all power tool manufacturers recommend that only OEM batteries be used.

An additional note regarding &#;remanufactured&#; batteries (i.e., a situation typically involving opening a sealed &#;dead&#; battery pack and manually soldering in individual locally-procured replacement cells):  there is no industry or governmental oversight to this practice, and the &#;listing&#; on the battery (verifying it meets applicable safety standards), is immediately voided.

So before purchasing a non-OEM battery, be sure to consider all the factors, not just price.  Purchasing a battery on-line from an unknown seller without having any verification of the seller&#;s qualifications or experience, or of the battery&#;s construction or testing or certification, can leave you with an unsatisfying &#; and potentially dangerous &#; experience. 

OSHA publishes a list of &#;Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories&#; which are accepted for purposes of product &#;listing&#;.

If you have questions regarding whether your battery is a genuine OEM product, contact the power tool manufacturer.

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