Lithium Ion Battery Safety Guidelines
Best practice for battery use including storage, charging and disposal.
Lithium Ion Battery technology has transformed the way we live, work and play, delivering unprecedented levels of portable energy to power our vehicles, tools, computers, phones, and lifestyle equipment.
However, due to the large amount of energy stored in the battery, there is risk of fire or explosion if the battery is misused or damaged. It is vital that a high level of care and Risk Management is undertaken in order to safely use, store, re-charge, and dispose of any Lithium Ion battery.
The following safety guidelines should be followed for all HiKOKI Lithium Ion batteries.
To extend the lifetime and provide a high level of safety, HiKOKI lithium-ion batteries are equipped with advanced Electronic Protection to stop the output under various circumstances. In the cases of 1 to 3 described below, when using this product, even if you are operating the tools’ switch, the motor may stop. This is not a fault, but the result of the battery protection function.
1. When the battery power runs low, the battery switches off to prevent dangerous over-discharge
2. If the tool is overloaded, the motor may stop. In this case, release the switch of tool and eliminate causes of overloading. The tool can be restarted again.
3. If the battery is overheated the battery may shut down. In this case, stop using the battery and let the battery cool. Once returned to normal operating temperature, the battery can be used again
Minimise risk when using batteries
In order to minimise the risk of any battery leakage, heat generation, smoke emission, explosion or ignition, please be sure to heed the following precautions.
1. Make sure that swarf and dust do not collect on the battery.
2. Do not store an unused battery in a location exposed to swarf and dust.
3. Before storing a battery, remove any swarf and dust that may have collected on it and do not store together with conductive material (screws, nails, metal hand tools, bare cables etc.). If conductive foreign material enters the vents or collects around the terminal of lithium ion battery, the battery may be shorted, causing fire or explosion.
4. Do not pierce battery with a sharp object such as a nail, strike with a hammer, step on, throw or subject the battery to severe physical shock. If the battery is exposed to severe physical shock it should be retired.
5. Do not use an apparently damaged or deformed battery.
6. Do not use the battery in reverse polarity,
7. Do not connect directly to electrical outlets or car cigarette lighter sockets, or any charger other than a compatible HiKOKI/Hitachi Lithium Ion Battery Charger.
8. Do not use the battery for any purpose other than those specified or fit the battery to any product other than a genuine HiKOKI/Hitachi tool or accessory.
9. If the battery charging fails to complete even when a specified recharging time has elapsed, immediately stop further recharging.
10. Do not subject the battery to high temperatures or high pressure such as into a microwave oven, dryer, welding equipment, gas burner, high pressure container, or store inside a hot vehicle.
11. Keep the battery away from fire.
12. Do not use in a location where strong static electricity exists or is generated.
13. If there is battery leakage, foul odor, heat generated, discoloration or deformation, or in any way appears abnormal during use, recharging or storage, immediately remove it from the equipment or battery charger, and stop use.
14. Do not immerse the battery or allow any fluids to flow inside. Conductive liquid ingress, such as water, including condensation, can cause damage resulting in fire or explosion.
15. Re-charge, store, and transport your battery in a cool, dry place, away from combustible and flammable items. Corrosive gas atmospheres must be avoided. Consider using a properly designed Lithium Ion Charging and Storage Cabinet for maximum protection against the risk of fire or explosion.
16. For additional protection against foreign material ingress or short circuiting, fit the battery protection cover (part # 329897) when not in use.
17. When a lithium ion battery has reached its end of life, or needs be retired, promptly dispose of it via an appropriate lithium disposal facility (details below). Do not leave end of life batteries lying around as they can still contain a significant amount of energy.
Shipping Lithium Ion Batteries
When shipping a lithium-ion battery by courier or similar, please observe the following precautions.
1. Notify the transporting company that a package contains a lithium-ion battery, inform the company of its power output and follow the instructions of the transportation company when arranging transport.
2. Lithium-ion batteries that exceed a power output of 100Wh are considered to be Dangerous Goods – Class 9 and will require special procedures and approval prior to shipping.
Contact your shipping provider for further details.
