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Abuse Testing
Abuse testing verifies reactions to harsh and out-of-specification conditions under which the product may be
exposed. The results of these tests do not necessarily have to show that the product survives and functions after
such tests. However, it is expected that a result of the abuse test show that the product will cause little or no
damage to personnel and objects near them. Abuse testing is not intended to acknowledge or validate the design
outside of proper operating conditions, even if the test units perform with a safe or acceptable reaction.
Reference:
Sandia Report SAND20053123 “FreedomCar Electric Energy Storage System Abuse Test Manual for Electric and
Hybrid Electric Vehicle Applications”
Table 13 – Abuse tests
Name
Description
Short Circuit
Tests the ability of the battery pack limit the output energy in the
case of an accidental short circuit on its terminals. This testing also
includes short circuiting individual elements within the battery
pack, such as modules, groups of modules, cells and cell groups.
Overcharge
Tests the ability of the battery pack to prevent one or more of its
cells from being overcharged as a result of excessive voltage being
applied to the terminals of the battery pack
Crush
Tests what happens when the battery pack is crushed in a
calibrated manner.
Drop
Tests the effects of the battery pack being dropped from a
specified height.
Shock
Tests the effects of the battery pack being subjected to a large
shock in three axes.
Immersion
Tests the ability of the battery pack to seal out liquid water when
completely immersed.