8.1 General Precautions

Sonnenschein Lithium Batteries are primary power sources with high energy content. They are designed to represent the highest possible degree of safety. They may, however, present a potential hazard if they are abused electrically or mechanically. This is in most circumstances associated with the generation of excessive heat. The internal pressure may cause the cell case to rupture.

Thus the following basic precautions should be observed when handling and using Sonnenschein
Lithium Batteries:

Caution

• Do not short-circuit
• Do not recharge
• Do not overdischarge
• Do not incinerate
• Do not expose to temperatures beyond the specified temperature range
• Do not crush or puncture
• Do not open cells, do not disassemble battery packs
• Do not expose contents to water
• Do not connect with false polarity
• Do not weld or solder to the battery's body

For general safety considerations please refer to chapter 4. Additional precautions for the assembly of battery packs are given in paragraph 7.3.

8.2 Storage

General Conditions
Batteries should be stored in rooms with generally low temperature and low humidity levels. While it is not essential that these storage areas be temperature and humidity controlled, temperatures should generally be kept below 35°C and storage areas should be well ventilated.

Storage temperatures above 75°C should be avoided.

Insulation
Lithium batteries should be stored in their original packaging materials. This will eliminate unintentional shorting.

Do not store batteries in conductive anti-static bags or foam unless the resistivity of the material exceeds 1 MΩ. Batteries should not be placed on or covered with metallic or otherwise conductive material.

Fire protection
Batteries should be stored away from any flammable material in the storage area.

Fire extinguishers for metal fire (class D) are preferred. Do not attempt to extinguish fires with small amounts of water, sand, or with carbon dioxide extinguishers.

A Technical Notice with further recommendations is available upon request.

8.3 Transport Regulations

Lithium Batteries are generally classified as dangerous goods according to UN 3090 (lithium batteries) and UN 3091 (lithium batteries contained in equipment or packed with equipment). The table on the next page

gives a brief summary of the regulations. However, most Sonnenschein Lithium Batteries are not
subject to the transport regulations because they meet the provisions listed hereafter:

• Cells contain no more than 0.5 g of lithium or lithium alloy.
• Battery packs contain an aggregate quantity of no more than 1 g of lithium or lithium alloy.
• Sonnenschein Lithium Batteries, besides SL-790, contain not more than 5 g of lithium per cell and not more than 25 g per battery pack and have passed the tests required by the UN manual of tests and criteria. Therefore, they are not subject to the regulations, provided the following general rules are observed:
• Each cell is hermetically sealed.
• Batteries are separated from each other in the package so as to prevent shorting.
• Battery packs are packed in strong outside packaging (except when installed in electronic devices).
  

ADR: IATA DGR: ICAO: IMDG Code: RID: UN:

Table Transport regulations for Sonnenschein Lithium Batteries. These regulations apply to type SL-790 (lithium content 10 g) and to battery packs containing more than 1 cell. Battery packs need to be tested according to the UN manual of tests and criteria in order to be attributed to class 9. It is necessary to refer to the listed regulations and instructions for detailed information. They are reviewed on a regular basis. The table is based on the 2000 revisions. The applicable documents are: European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, International Air Transport Association, Dangerous Goods Regulations International Civil Aviation Organization, Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code International Statutory Order on the Conveyance of Dangerous Goods by Rail United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

Class 9 label, reduced size, black on white	Handling Label for Cargo Aircraft Only, reduced size, black on orange

8.4 Mounting

General
In most cases, Sonnenschein Lithium Batteries are soldered to the PC-board. Replaceable batteries usually are equipped with connectors and hook and loop tapes to ensure quick and safe mounting. Other mounting techniques may include hot melt glue or plastic tapes to secure the battery to the PC-board. Solder pins and tags usually are not suitable as battery holders, especially with the cells of size C and larger.

Sonnenschein Lithium Batteries comply with IEC standard 68-2-21 and ESA specification PSS-01-708. This means that solder pins and tags can withstand a tensile force of 10 N in the direction of their axis. Pins can be bent with an inside radius of 0.8 mm at a minimum distance of 2.5 mm. Alternative geometries should be used when smaller distances are needed (Fig. 8-3).

When the battery is mounted on the PC-board, it should not make contact to the conductive mat that is used to eliminate static electricity as this may cause a discharge circuit and lead to premature depletion.

Hand Soldering
Use only batteries that have been provided by Sonnenschein Lithium with solder tags or wire leads, when it is required to make soldered connections to them.

Caution

• Do not attempt to solder directly to the cell case or terminal.
• Keep the soldering time as short as possible, below 10 seconds.
• Use appropriate protection during pretinning. Batteries must not be dropped in tin baths.

Wave Soldering
The Sonnenschein Lithium Battery is a safe power source. It has moderate impedance and, when operating at temperatures up to 75°C, it can withstand a continuous short-circuit without any safety problems, the battery will not explode, crack or leak. It is therefore, in principle, suitable for wave soldering. However, the following recommendations should be observed:

Sonnenschein Lithium flat cells are provided with nickel pins and may be wave soldered.

Sonnenschein Lithium bobbin type cells can be provided with axial wire leads or with nickel solder tags. The small cells may be wave soldered. The big cells should be hand soldered for reasons of safety.

If a battery is dropped into the solder bath, or if it is held above the bath for a long period, it might rupture, due to overheating and consequent melting of the lithium metal.

Caution

• Secure the battery to the printed circuit board before introducing it into the wave soldering process (including pre-heating and drying).
• Do not overheat. Refer to table 8-4 for recommendations.
• Provide a cover over the soldering zone when lithium cells are being wave soldered.
• Do not use reflow soldering when mounting cells.
  

Cleaning processes are not standardized. Therefore compatibility may have to be established case by case. Water should not get trapped underneath the jacket. Organic solvents may have an effect on the readability of markings or on the softening agent of the jacket. Please contact Sonnenschein Lithium for recommendation of approved processes.

	Figure 8-3 Minimum bend of pins, alternative geometry

	Table 8-4 Recommendations for wave soldering

8.5 Disposal

The disposal or recycling of batteries is regulated by each European country. In each country, the manufacturers, importers and users are responsible for the proper disposal.

The European Community (EC) has issued two directives, 91/157/EEC and 93/86/EEC. These directives are implemented by each member country of the EC independently and in a different way.

In accordance with these directives, Sonnenschein Lithium Batteries do not contain dangerous substances. The reaction products are inorganic and do not represent environmental risks once the decomposition process has terminated.

For batteries bought from Sonnenschein Lithium, a disposal service is offered upon customer request.

A Technical Notice with further recommendations is available upon request.