APPLICATION NOTE
How to use Chroma 17010 to execute
IEC 61960 test items
December, 2020
Chroma ATE Inc.
Chroma ATE Inc.
2
How to use Chroma 17010 to execute IEC 61960 test items
1. Objective
IEC 61960 is an international standard for testing lithium-ion secondary battery cells on
portable devices. The objective is to evaluate the performance of battery cell and battery for
capacity, cycle performance and internal resistance. At present, this standard has been used
as the reference for proposed test plan in the relevant specifications of battery cell or battery
in Japan, China, and other countries. This article focuses on introducing the related electrical
tests in the IEC 61960:2011 specification and explains how to implement the test plan through
the Chroma 17010 charge and discharge test system.
2. Hardware Specification Requirement
The IEC 61960 defines the electrical equipment accuracy specification as shown in Table 1.
And it explains the selection of equipment for all test procedures, both output and
measurement accuracy of the selected equipment must meet the defined specification and list
in the test report. Full range of models in the Chroma 17010 test solution can meet the
requirements of voltage, current, capacitance and time, also ensure that the entire test
conforms to the standard specifications when a suitable chamber is in use.
Table 1. IEC 61960 Electrical testing accuracy requirements of related equipment
Measurement/
output items
Voltage
Current
Capacitance
Temperature
Time
3. Electrical Testing Item
1. General test instructions:
1.1 Test environment:
The electrical testing process is performed in a closed environment. The ambient
temperature for most test items is defined at 20±5℃ with some of them require different
temperatures such as 40°C or -20°C. It is recommended to use chamber testing to
maintain the consistency and stability of the test object’s ambient temperature.
1.2 Definition of current and rated capacitance:
The definition of charge and discharge current in IEC 62391 uses I
t
A as the ratio unit
which is equivalent to C-rate. The rated capacitance is the capacitance obtained when
fully discharged with 0.2C, and the expression is "C
5
Ah".