Acupuncture test does not perform power battery how to detect safety?
A few days ago, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released three draft notifications for mandatory national standards. One of these drafts pertains to GB "Safety Requirements for Lithium-ion Power Batteries for Electric Vehicles" (referred to as GBXXXXX-XXXX). Notably, significant changes have been made to the testing procedures for batteries, marking a shift in safety evaluation approaches.

Looking at the requirements for individual battery cells under the new GB standard, there are now five safety tests: over-discharge, overcharge, short circuit, heating, and temperature cycling. This is a reduction from the 10 tests required under the previous GB/T 31485-2015 standard. Among these, the acupuncture test—once a key part of the process—has been removed entirely from the single-cell testing criteria.

The draft commentary explains the removal of the acupuncture test with three main reasons. First, it states that current access management regulations are not strictly enforced. Second, it notes that two IEC standards do not include acupuncture. Third, it claims that acupuncture does not align with real-world failure modes. However, some of these explanations remain unclear.

Currently, the acupuncture test is not being implemented, but this doesn’t mean the focus on battery safety has diminished. In fact, the revised standard still includes rigorous testing for power batteries. The first point about entry management mentions that “acupuncture testing is temporarily not executed,†but the reason for this temporary status remains vague. Why is it labeled as “temporary†rather than “permanent� Could it be reintroduced in the future? These questions remain unanswered.
Another explanation given is that IEC standards do not use acupuncture. However, this reasoning is incomplete. While IEC 62660-2 and 62660-3 don’t include acupuncture, other standards like SAE J2464 and UL-2580 still do. Even non-mandatory guidelines such as FreedomCAR reference acupuncture as a common testing method. Most internal company testing protocols also include acupuncture, making this justification less convincing.
The third reason cited is that acupuncture does not match actual failure modes. While it’s true that no test can perfectly replicate every real-world scenario, many tests aim to simulate typical failure conditions. Acupuncture, which mimics the effects of foreign objects piercing a battery, is indeed a relevant scenario. Therefore, the claim that it doesn’t align with real-world failures seems somewhat unconvincing.
Interestingly, despite its removal from single-cell testing, acupuncture has reappeared as a potential triggering method in the thermal diffusion test for battery packs under GBXXXXX-XXXX. This suggests that while the test may no longer be required for individual cells, it might still play a role in broader system-level evaluations.
There are several areas in the draft that lack clarity. For instance, the term “temporary†used in the context of testing exemptions raises questions about its long-term implications. As the electric vehicle market continues to grow, battery capacities are increasing, and the risks associated with battery failures are becoming more severe. From 25Ah to 100Ah NMC prismatic batteries, the consequences of a failure can escalate rapidly.
While technical improvements could enhance the effectiveness of acupuncture testing, they often come at the cost of other performance aspects. This makes the development of suitable solutions time-consuming and complex. The larger the battery, the greater the challenge—and the higher the responsibility for manufacturers.
For some companies, the removal of acupuncture could simplify the certification process, potentially accelerating product launches. However, it's important to recognize that this change only affects the regulatory level. Real-world safety and reliability should never be compromised. Companies must maintain high standards and continue researching all possible failure scenarios, including acupuncture.
In conclusion, although acupuncture has been removed from the draft, it's crucial to remain aware that this is just one part of the broader picture. Regulatory standards evolve, and what is considered temporary today may change tomorrow. In a fast-moving market, adaptability is key. Manufacturers must stay vigilant, continuously improve their testing methods, and ensure that their products meet both regulatory and real-world demands.
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Yizheng Beide Material Co., Ltd. , https://www.beidevendor.com