a valve-regulated lead-acid battery and electrolyte pack on a yellow gradient background

UL 1989 Standby Battery Testing and Certification

The Applied Technical Services Family of Companies performs UL 1989 standby battery testing and certification to help manufacturers identify a product’s potential safety hazards during operation. Prototype testing in a controlled and safe lab environment can help manufacturers make critical business decisions regarding the battery and battery enclosure’s design and development.

Standby batteries provide backup energy when the main source is unavailable so critical systems can continue to provide reliable power. The UL standard covers lead-acid and nickel cadmium batteries used in a variety of applications, such as backup power for data centers and telecommunications.

Battery testing experts from the ATS FoC can help clients with the following:
Testing the Battery Enclosure
UL 1989 establishes the criteria for multiple tests to ensure the rigidity of the battery enclosure. Battery enclosure tests provide insight on how well the product withstands wear and tear without permanent damage or failure. During these tests, our experts subject the enclosure to various mechanical forces aligning with the most rigorous operating conditions, such as:
A battery enclosure may also encounter elevated temperatures during operation. As many enclosures contain plastics, an oven conditioning test determines the enclosure’s resistance to high temperatures without melting, cracking, leaking electrolytes, catching fire, or exploding.
In addition to external issues, battery enclosures must withstand internal electrical problems. For instance, overcharge testing involves deliberately overcharging the battery. ATS FoC experts use this test to study the battery’s reaction to overcharging. Typically, overcharging can lead to battery degradation and aging, but high voltage rates can potentially cause thermal runaway. We can perform a discharge test to evaluate battery performance and limits while discharging at a very high rate.
Testing Emergency Lighting and Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)
UL 1989 also includes testing for uninterrupted power supply (UPS) batteries and emergency lighting and power batteries. Due to the liquid electrolytes, aqueous batteries contain a high risk of explosion if pressure and gas build up without relief. To maintain battery safety, manufacturers may design products with vents or valves to expel some of the pressure.

Our experts can test the pressure relief designs to ensure the safe operation of aqueous batteries. The pressure relief valve and vent cap test can confirm the design safely relieves the internal pressure and gases. We can also test if the flame arrestor effectively protects the battery enclosure from fire and prevents the hazardous gases from returning to the battery once released.

Finally, we can provide a capacity test for emergency power and lighting to determine if the battery conforms to the manufacturer’s rating.

Safe Testing Labs
The ATS FoC is proud to deliver safe and professional testing in our A2LA-accredited labs. To ensure the safety of all personnel, our experts can conduct high-risk tests on batteries in our especially outfitted Hazard Containment Room (HCR), featuring ventilation, explosion containment, and firefighting systems.
We invest in powerful and innovative technology to deliver rigorous tests that take products to their limits. Our equipment can reach extreme temperatures and subject products to high energies, such as:
About Us
The ATS Family of Companies provides consulting engineering, calibration, inspection, and testing services from locations nationwide. Our staff consists of scientists and engineers who operate several A2LA-accredited labs and bring decades of experience to every service. We work closely with clients from a wide range of industries to align testing and analysis with business goals, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
Contact Us
Call +1 (888) 287-5227 or fill out the form on this page to schedule UL 1989 testing at our qualified labs. Keep your standby battery on with the ATS FoC on your side.

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