Totally anecdotal reply.  I have  a Fluke 97 Scopemeter I purchased perhaps
ten years ago.  It has a wall-wart supply that recharges internal C-cell
batteries, but it can also run on alkaline or other non-rechargeable C-cells. 
 To the best of my knowledge, it is up to me to remember what batteries I have
in there, there is no switch at all.  If I want to run off mains power, I have
to either have rechargeable batteries, or remove the non-rechargeables.  I
don't know much about this, but I seem to recall that it took a long time to
recharge the Ni-Cds.  Maybe they got around the hazard by having a low enough
charging current it wasn't a hazard?



From: "Chris Maxwell" <chris.maxw...@nettest.com>
Reply-To: "Chris Maxwell" <chris.maxw...@nettest.com>
List-Post: emc-pstc@listserv.ieee.org
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 13:44:29 -0400
To: "EMC-PSTC Internet Forum" <emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org>
Subject: Rechargeable and Non-Rechargeable batteries




Hello good people of the group. 



We generally test our equipment to EN 61010-1.  We usually have rechargeable
batteries in our product; and they¹ve never really been a safety problem,
other than adding diodes and ³approved² charging methods.  Usually the
batteries that we use are so oddly shaped, that there is a very small risk of
a customer putting in the wrong type of battery.  



Where I¹m really lacking in knowledge (among many areas) is when it comes to
handling standard sized, yet rechargeable batteries. 



For instance consider the following example: 



1.  A case designed with a wall wart power input and a spot for AA sized
batteries. 

2.  The product would be designed to recharge AA sized NiMh batteries, if
installed. 

3.  Alternatively, the user could install AA sized alkaline batteries; but
they would have to set a switch in the battery compartment to disable the
charge circuitry. 



Assuming all warning labels and documentation were in place?  Is this a
generally accepted practice; or is it too unsafe to require the customer to
throw a switch. 







That¹s my specific question.  Now a more general issue.  Up until now, I¹ve
learned about battery safety indirectly.  As in, I submit a product to the
lab, make any required changes (diodesŠ) and ship product.  I haven¹t yet
found a reference that outlines the safety requirements for batteries in EN
61010-1 or EN 60950 equipment.  Is there something that I¹m missing in the
standard?  Or, is this one of those issues that is handled by experience,
agreements and memoranda among the various safety certification agencies? 



Alternatively, is there a stand-alone IEC specification regarding battery
safety? 



As always, the collective time and energy of the group is appreciated. 



adTHANKSvance 



Chris Maxwell 

Design Engineer 

Nettest 





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