Materials Handling Battery Testing and Certification FAQ

Technical guidance for lithium-ion batteries, chargers, battery management systems and complete industrial equipment integration

Battery qualification for forklifts and other materials handling equipment involves more than testing the cells or battery pack. Engineers must also consider the battery management system, charger, electrical controls, enclosure, mounting, environmental exposure and integration with the complete vehicle.

Developed using Intertek’s experience in battery safety, performance and regulatory compliance, this technical FAQ answers 12 common questions about materials handling battery testing and certification.

It examines how changes to cell suppliers, chemistry, BMS software, pack architecture and charging systems can affect safety, thermal behavior, mechanical integrity and equipment compliance.

Download the FAQ for technical insight into questions such as:

• Which standards apply to the battery, charger, subsystem or complete industrial truck?
• When does a battery change require requalification or additional testing?
• How can battery weight and configuration affect equipment stability, load distribution and counterbalancing?
• Why should the battery, BMS, charger and vehicle controls be evaluated as an integrated system?
• How should vibration, mechanical shock, temperature, moisture, ingress protection, EMC and hazardous locations be addressed?

The FAQ also discusses standards and requirements that may apply based on the product design, intended use and target market, including UL/CSA 2580, UL/CSA/ULC 2271, IEC 62619, UN 38.3, UL 583 and ANSI/ITSDF B56.1.