Un38.3 Transportation Test Report for Lithium Batteries and Cells

UN38.3 Transportation Testing for Lithium Batteries and Cells

To be safely transported (by air, sea, rail or roadways), almost all lithium batteries are required to meet the Standard UN 38.3 requirements.
UN 38.3 has been adopted by regulators and competent authorities around the world, making it a requirement for global market access. The protocol includes identifying/classifying lithium batteries; testing/qualification requirements; design guidance/conditions and packaging/shipping obligations.

UN38.3 has 8 test items:

• T1 - Altitude Simulation: low-pressure simulation (primary & secondary cells/batteries)
• T2 - Thermal Test: integrity testing when batteries undergo extreme and rapid temperature changes (primary & secondary cells/batteries)
• T3 - Vibration Test: vibration simulation that may be experienced during transportation (primary & secondary cells/batteries)
• T4 - Shock Test: shock test/vibration simulation during transportation (primary & secondary cells/batteries)
• T5 - External Short Circuit Test: external short circuit simulation (primary & secondary cells/batteries)
• T6 - Impact Test: impact and crush simulations on the cell's casing (primary & secondary cells)
• T7 - Overcharge Test: overcharge simulation on rechargeable batteries (secondary batteries)
• T8 - Forced Discharge Test: forced discharge simulations (primary & secondary cells)

UN 38.3 has 4 Classifications, based on battery type (lithium or lithium-ion) and how they are shipped (alone or in a device):

• UN 3090 for lithium batteries and UN 3480 for lithium-ion batteries: Apply to cells shipped alone, batteries shipped alone, consignment of cells and batteries, modules or other incomplete battery sub-assemblies, power banks, powerpacks, and batteries shipped in a separate package from the device they power (even if the device and batteries are on the same consignment or shipment).
• UN 3091 for lithium batteries within a device and UN 3481 for lithium-ion batteries within a device: Apply to devices with batteries installed; devices packed with a battery in the same package, but not installed in the product; up to two spare batteries shipped in the same package as the device (i.e. one installed, two spares).