Important safety guidelines for Li-ion batteries

1. Never immerse a Li-ion battery in liquids

Never place or immerse a Li-ion battery in water, soda, or other liquids. This may cause short circuits, overheating, fire, smoke, or explosion due to uncontrolled electrical discharge.

2. Avoid heat and high temperatures

Never use or store a battery near heat sources, open flames, or temperatures above 60 °C.

Excessive heat may damage the battery’s internal separator, potentially causing an internal short circuit.

3. Only use approved chargers

Always use chargers specifically designed for Li-ion batteries. Intelligent chargers with temperature monitoring offer the highest level of safety and charging control.

4. Ensure correct polarity

Always verify correct polarity during installation and charging.

If a connector or charger does not fit properly, do not force the connection. Where possible, use batteries equipped with a suitable Battery Management System (BMS).

5. Never connect directly to mains power

Never connect a Li-ion battery directly to an AC power outlet or automotive power plug.

Li-ion batteries require dedicated charging electronics designed specifically for the battery chemistry.

Improper use, overheating, or damage may trigger a decomposition reaction known as thermal runaway. Once thermal runaway begins, the reaction becomes uncontrollable and may cause the entire battery cell to ignite.

6. Avoid impacts and mechanical damage

Prevent unnecessary shocks, impacts, or crushing of the battery. Physical damage may lead to leakage, overheating, fire, smoke, or explosion.

7. Stop using damaged batteries immediately

Discontinue use immediately if the battery shows abnormalities such as:

• Unusual odours
• Excessive heat
• Swelling or deformation
• Discolouration

8. Avoid static electricity

Do not use batteries in environments with high static electricity levels. Electrostatic discharge above 100 V may damage the battery’s protection circuitry.

9. Never disassemble a battery

Do not open or disassemble Li-ion batteries. Damage to the internal protection circuit can make the battery unsafe to use.

10. Store batteries correctly

For long-term storage, batteries should ideally be stored at a partial state of charge and at a stable temperature between 20 °C and 25 °C.

Expert battery support from Elfa

Thanks to our partnerships with manufacturers such as Arts Energy, Elfa has access to a wide range of battery technologies combined with extensive technical expertise and support.

Looking for a safe and reliable battery solution tailored to your application? Feel free to contact our battery specialists for professional advice.

Original story inspired by Arts Energy