How to Read IEC Rechargeable Battery Designations

By Hysincere

NiCd and NiMH Designations Depend on the Standard

IEC 61951-1 covers relevant sealed NiCd cells, while IEC 61951-2 covers relevant sealed NiMH cells. Their code details depend on cell form and edition. The following checks are useful, but they are not a universal five-part formula for every rechargeable battery.

• 1. Chemistry and Cell Form:
  • KR: A cylindrical NiCd designation in the relevant system; it does not define every NiCd cell shape.
  • HF or HR: Prismatic and cylindrical NiMH designations in the relevant system. Check the applicable edition and any additional class letters.
• 2. Dimensions: Interpret the fields and rounding rules from the correct standard. Check maximum cell and terminal dimensions on the drawing.
• 3. Discharge Class:
  • L: A lower discharge class within the relevant system; not a universal safe-current value for every chemistry.
  • M: A medium discharge class whose meaning must be read in the applicable standard.
  • H: A higher discharge class. Additional classes can exist depending on chemistry and edition.
  • X: A high-rate class in the relevant system. Do not reuse one C-rate table for both NiCd and NiMH without checking it.
• 4. Charging at Elevated Temperature: A T marking can relate to continuous charging at elevated temperature in a particular system, not unlimited high-temperature operation or storage.
• 5. Terminals and Connection Details:
  • Terminal definition: Ask the supplier to explain any suffix such as CF rather than treating it as a universal IEC terminal code.
  • Connection tabs: Verify shape, direction and joining method from the drawing; an unexplained HH suffix is not a general tab specification.
  • Pack arrangement: A suffix does not authorize series or parallel connection. HB can designate a NiMH button cell, rather than a universal connection-tab type.

Read a Designation Alongside the Drawing

A prismatic NiMH label: Match its chemistry, discharge-class information and dimensional fields to the applicable edition and drawing. Do not assume an abbreviated or older label supplies exact maximum dimensions.

A cylindrical NiCd label: Check diameter, overall height, discharge classification and any temperature-related marking. An unexplained manufacturer suffix does not by itself establish tab type or a permitted pack connection.

Lithium Secondary-Cell Designations

IEC 61960-3:2017 addresses prismatic and cylindrical lithium secondary cells for portable applications and batteries made from them. Its designation includes electrode basis, cell form and dimensional fields; a battery can also indicate series and parallel counts. It is not always three letters followed by a fixed five- or six-digit string.

• 1. Negative-Electrode Basis:
  • I: Carbon as the negative-electrode basis in the IEC 61960-3:2017 system.
  • L: Lithium metal or lithium alloy in that system. Other negative-electrode designations also exist.
• 2. Positive-Electrode Basis:
  • C: Cobalt-based positive electrode.
  • N: Nickel-based positive electrode.
  • M: Manganese-based positive electrode.
  • V: Vanadium-based positive electrode. This short list does not include every designation allowed by the standard.
• 3. Cell Form:
  • R: Cylindrical cell form.
  • P: Prismatic cell form; L is not the corresponding rectangular-shape code in this position.
• 4. Dimensional Fields: Read the standard’s units and rounding rules, then check the actual drawing. A designation does not fully specify terminals, insulation or installation clearance.

Check the Label, Data Sheet and Product Evidence

For a custom battery pack, give Hysincere the full cell designation, maker and model, device requirements, drawing and required test documents. Confirm that reports apply to the actual cell, pack or device concerned. A matching code cannot replace electrical and mechanical verification.