This short video (2m 46s) shows the different fire performance of two flat-screen TV sets which both comply with the safety standard IEC 60065, and have the external ignition test of IEC TS 62441 applied to them. Safety requirements to protect against external ignition sources (like domestic candles) were implemented in Europe in 2010 to reduce the risk of house fires from TVs like the one on the right in the video. For more information on fire testing, see www.fire-testing.eu
The Battery Controlled – Button battery safety
I highly recommend everyone to watch both videos attached to the following Australian Safety regulator’s web page. It’s essential safety information for *anyone* who might have children under five years old in their house.
The Battery Controlled – Button battery safety.
If a child swallows a button battery, the battery can get stuck in the child’s throat and burn through the oesophagus in as little as two hours. Repair can require feeding and breathing tubes and multiple surgeries.
Children under five years old are at the greatest risk.
Modeling The Lithium-Ion Battery
Modeling The Lithium-Ion Battery.
“Lithium-ion batteries have become the most common
rechargeable batteries for consumer electronics,
due to their high energy densities, relatively high cell
voltages and low weight to volume ratios. They are
also predicted to become commonplace for industrial,
transportation and power-storage applications, even if
they tend to be more expensive than equivalent battery
technologies with aqueous electrolytes.
Modeling and simulations are necessary tools for accelerated
understanding, design optimization, and design
of automatic control of batteries and battery systems. “
Q&A on the Australian safety standard AS/NZS 60950.1:2011 with Amdt 1:2012
The following answers to the questions sent to me are my from own perspective, given for guidance only. These are not definitively authoritative, however they are given in good faith, so if you need to make business decisions on these matters you’d need to seek your own counsel, as no liability will be accepted for any possible errors or omissions or if something doesn’t cover your situation. If there are any errors in my responses below I’d be delighted for anyone to enlighten me further.
- AS/NZS 60950.1:2011 – This is already published in 2011; revised in Nov 2012 to add Amdt 1 issued by IEC TC108.
- PWR#: This is correct. you can download the amendment from SAI Global for free from http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/Details.aspx?ProductID=1595905 (login required, but that’s also free).
- Please advise if it is mandatory and if there is any effective date established?
- PWR#: No specific dates have been established for use of Amdt 1 with telecommunications equipment at this time (but see item 6 below). It may be used now for non-telecommunications safety approvals (e.g. EPSs). Earlier editions would be usable only at the electrical regulators’ discretion.
- Any AU/NZS national differences?
- PWR: There are no new mandatory national differences in the amendment, but note that AS/NZS 60825.1 can be used in lieu of IEC 60825-1. This is worth noting because the Australian laser standard also has significant national differences, and compliance with that might not mean compliance with the IEC standard has been achieved (worth keeping in mind for products sold overseas that were tested in Australia).
- ACMA is now attempting to adopt the standard in item 1 as its telecom standard.
- PWR#: That is correct.
- ACMA is not introducing any significant national differences except as indicated at the website given below.
- PWR#: ACMA is not introducing any differences that are not already in AS/NZS 60950:2011 + Amdt 1:2012.
- Will this standard be mandatory in AU/NZS for telecom equipment and if yes, what will be the effective date?
- PWR#: Yes, but the date is a bit more complex… The ACMA “Standard” that’s being amended is essentially a hidden legal instrument that makes Australian Standard AS/NZS 60950.1 +Amdt 1 mandatory, and the ACMA standard essentially contains no technical requirements itself. The intent is that compliance with Australian Standard AS/NZS 60950.1 +Amdt 1 will satisfy the requirements in the ACMA standard (which is also given the same designation for legal reasons, but I’ll call it the “ACMA standard” to try to avoid confusion.) The ACMA standard, when published (probably in August/September) will then make the CURRENT REVISION of the Australian Standard mandatory on publication, and so on into the future. It also allows that products manufactured or imported within twelve months of the new Australian Standard or revision being published can be tested to the prior version of the Australian standard (but not to earlier versions than the one prior). This means, for example, that a product manufactured or imported up to 2013-11-09 (the first anniversary of the publication date of Amdt 1) may comply with AS/NZS 60950.1:2011 with or without Amdt 1:2012, however AFTER 2013-11-09, all new certifications must be done in accordance with AS/NZS 60950.1 + Amdt 1 in place. I hope this clarifies.
EESS database upgrade (Australian electrical equipment safety certification process)
(The following was received from the EESS secretariat recently, who wanted it circulated in industry…):
The responsible supplier/equipment registration database is being upgraded following feedback from users. The testing of these changes is in final stages and, if they all work, the release of the updates will occur shortly. An email will be sent to all registered responsible suppliers just prior to the upgrade going live.
Major changes include:
- The 10 digit supplier number (i.e ERAC000123), which is also the responsible supplier username for logging onto the system, has been simplified to be EX (where X is the digits of the existing supplier number – i.e. the ‘RAC’ of ERAC is removed and the 0’s of the supplier number is removed).
- So for example a supplier number of ERAC000512 simply becomes E512.This becomes the registration number for all documentation and can be used to mark on a product as the supplier number if required (for example NZ Radio Spectrum Management marking requirement). It also becomes the user name for the responsible supplier to log onto the EESS database, note the responsible supplier password will not change.
Note: use of the existing 10 digit number on documents and equipment will be recognised as being the valid supplier number issued by ERAC where it has already been marked on equipment or the marking process has already been initiated. - The phone number field in responsible supplier details allows for more than 10 digits, as well as the recognition of + for the country code (to allow for NZ company registrations).
- When registering as a responsible supplier there is now an ‘affiliated supplier’ field for a responsible supplier to nominate the related New Zealand company for which the responsible supplier is taking responsibility for the equipment supplied by that company (and vice versa if the responsible supplier is a New Zealand registered company).
Affiliated Supplier – A company that is a related entity to the company registered as a responsible supplier. Affiliated suppliers are limited to Australia/New Zealand related entities. If the responsible supplier is located in Australia the affiliated supplier is the related entity in New Zealand, if the responsible supplier is located in New Zealand the affiliated supplier is the related entity located in Australia. The responsible supplier (registered in either Australia or New Zealand) registers and takes responsibility for all items supplied by the affiliated supplier . A company listed as an affiliated supplier, by a responsible supplier, does not need to register as a separate responsible supplier. - Authorised representatives are now de-selectable or selectable byresponsible suppliers via the ‘edit profile’ section for responsible suppliers.
- Authorised representatives will be able to add level 1 equipment as well as register level 2 and 3 equipment.
- Authorised representatives added by a responsible supplier will be able to action any equipment registration of the responsible supplier (not limited to just the equipment the Authorised representative had originally actioned).
- The ‘details description’ field is no longer mandatory to have data entered.
- Equipment registration length has been modified to allow choosing 5 year registration option when certificate has less than 5 years, but more than 2 years, before expiry (note the registration expiry date is still linked to the certificate expiry date so choosing the 5 year registration option may only result in, for example, a 4 year 3 month registration if the certificate expires in 4 years and 3 months). Equipment with certificates that expire in 2 years or less will still only be given the 1 or 2 year option.
- Where a certificate profile has multiple brands and models and the responsible supplier is only importing/manufacturing some of those brands/models, the responsible supplier will now be able to choose via a tick box which models/brands they are a responsible supplier of – or they can choose to select all models/brands of that profile.
- Level 1 equipment details can now be entered in several different ways
- existing method, type / brand (and optional model number)
- using a csv file to upload detail of multiple equipment (brand and type are still mandatory)
- inputting a certificate of suitability number to import across the level 1 equipment detail
- The certificate number of registered equipment will now be viewable in the public search section.
- Level 1 equipment details will now be searchable in same public viewable location as level 2 and 3 equipment.
- Receipting errors fixed.
Uploading of Certificates: - The manual upload for certifiers to add details of their certificates is in final stages of testing.
- The xml process for certifiers to automatically upload their certificate details is being tested with several certifiers.
- A ‘certificate lock down’ system is being included to limit ability to register certificates to responsible suppliers as chosen by the certificate holder (in general, process will be the certifier will add a password onto the database when uploading certificate details. The certificate holder will give this password to a responsible supplier so the responsible supplier can put in that password to use the certificate details to register equipment).
- The ‘deed of access’ for certifiers to sign is being finalised (essentially this is a document required to be signed by certifiers to ensure they accept use of the database ‘as is’ and do not add any virus, malicious software, damage the database in any way, that the data they input will be true an correct to best of their knowledge and they will indemnify regulators in regard to use of their data by anyone).
****************************************************************
New sulfur-based battery is safer, cheaper, more powerful than lithium-ion | ExtremeTech
Scientists at the DoE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have struck the battery mother lode: They’ve created an all-solid lithium-sulfur battery that is cheaper, less flammable, and has four times the energy density of conventional lithium-ion batteries.
via New sulfur-based battery is safer, cheaper, more powerful than lithium-ion | ExtremeTech.
Wheat bag fire hazards
(This isn’t ICT related, but I found it interesting anyway)
These products are typically fabric bags filled with wheat or another grain which are intended to be heated in a microwave. However, the bag can catch fire in the microwave if it is heated for too long. This is a particular concern with wheat packs that don’t have clear heating instructions.The ACCC is also aware of cases where wheat bags have caught fire after being put under bedding.
Fire Protection Engineers Address Li-ion Safety >> Evaluation Engineering
“… it’s possible that if you have a battery failure and there is a bunch of batteries in close proximity, the failure of one could lead to a failure of adjacent batteries.” Such scenarios, he said, are what fire-protection engineers are looking at now.
…
(battery) failures, Long, Kahn, and Mikolajczak wrote, can result in increases of cell temperature and pressure. Subsequently, the cell may undergo venting, vent gasses may ignite, contents may be ejected, and thermal runaway may propagate to adjacent cells.
…
“Halon 1301, the fire extinguishing agent in passenger aircraft cargo compartment fire suppression systems, has no observable effect on a metal battery fire.”
…
the proliferation of electric vehicles, with charging stations in public areas and in residences, further noting that batteries may be stored at battery-switching locations, thereby posing “high-voltage and fire safety challenges in addition to those associated with Li-ion batteries themselves.”
via Fire Protection Engineers Address Li-ion Safety >> Evaluation Engineering.
iPad 2 Heart Risk Discovered By 14 Year Old Girl | Defibrillators
warning for people with implanted defibrillators … If a person falls asleep with the iPad 2 on the chest, the magnets in the cover can “accidentally turn off” the heart device, said Chien, a high school freshman in Stockton, California, whose father is a doctor. “I definitely think people should be aware. That’s why I’m presenting the study.”
While the study was done with an iPad 2, any device that incorporates magnets can, in theory, cause the same effects.
via iPad 2 Heart Risk Discovered By 14 Year Old Girl | Defibrillators.
How to conduct a successful recall – Product safety bulletin (Australia)
A successful product safety recall has a clear message that reaches all affected people. This bulletin will give you some suggestions for how to conduct a recall successfully.
This bulletin is also available in Simplified Chinese.
via How to conduct a successful recall – Product safety bulletin.
Product Safety Recall: Catchoftheday & Scoopon — iPhone 5 Lightning Cable
What are the defects?
A manufacturing defect causes failure of the cable’s USB connection.
What are the hazards?
If the defect occurs, it causes overheating and melting of the USB connection’s plastic housing and poses a fire hazard to consumers.
via Catchoftheday.com.au & Scoopon—1M & 3M iPhone 5 Lightning Cable.
Mandatory reporting under the Australian Consumer Law — Webinar – YouTube
Mandatory reporting under the Australian Consumer Law — Webinar – YouTube.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) hosted a live webinar on 10 April 2013 to help explain the mandatory reporting of product-related death, injury and illness.
This is a video recording of that Webinar.
Some questions were able to be answered during the webinar; a lot more have now been answered and are available on the following website: www.productsafety.gov.au/mandatoryreporting
Product Safety Recall – Fluke-28IIEX Intrinsically Safe Digital Multimeter
If cracks develop and if used in an explosive dust environment (IEC/EU: Zone 21, and US/CA: Class II, Division 1), ingress of conductive dust may cause a short circuit that could ignite a dust explosive atmosphere surrounding the unit, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
IEC e-tech > March 2013 – Safer entertainment and work
Preparing safety standards for devices and systems used by billions of people and the need to merge the activities of two separate IEC TCs that covered, respectively, data processing equipment and office machines, and electronic equipment for household and similar use, led to the creation of IEC TC 108 in 2001.
IEC e-tech > March 2013 – Clearing up misconceptions on IEC 62368-1
IEC e-tech > March 2013 – Clearing up misconceptions on IEC 62368-1.
“For many years AV and ITE products have been introduced in the market place at an ever quicker pace and technologies used to produce them have been converging. IEC TC (Technical Committee) 108: Safety of electronic equipment within the field of audio/video, information technology and communication technology, which prepares the separate IEC 60065 and IEC 60950-1 series of safety standards for AV and IT equipment, felt necessary to create a “hazard-based” standard, which would cover both. This led to the development of a new International Standard, IEC 62368-1, Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment – Part 1: Safety requirements, published in January 2010. This standard has gained wide acceptance in many markets where national versions have been published.”
“Several national standards around the world have been published based on Edition No. 1 of IEC 62368-1, and it is expected that it will be more widely adopted by other countries and regions when Edition 2 is published later in 2013.”
paulspiece.com 