Transport & storage of batteries

Batteries containing lithium may only be delivered with a charge of max. 30%. The following battery packs are affected:

• PSU413D
• PSU413D+
• AP413D
• AP413D+

You find Details on this regulation in the policy of the IATA. For more information about the handling of lithium batteries, please have a look at the following documents.

Lithium batteries are affected by a chemical phenomenon known as „passivation“. In this process a lithium chloride layer (LiCl) forms on the surface of the anode. This LiCl layer, which is essentially a high-resistance film between the anode and the electrolyte, is responsible for the long shelf life of lithium-thionyl chloride batteries as it prevents self-discharge. If batteries are stored at elevated temperatures and/or for several months or years, the strength of the LiCl layer and therefore its resistance increase.

When a battery is passivated, a voltage drop may occur as a result of the increased resistance of the LiCI layer. The chemical reaction during the discharge leads to a degradation of the LiCl layer. As a result the resistance decreases again and the voltage slowly rises to the level of a non-passivated battery. Passivation is a completely reversible effect.

The depassivation of a battery can thus be achieved by discharging with a defined current for a fixed time. Since the strength of the LiCl layer is directly related to the duration of the storage, the time required for depassivation depends on it. To shorten the time for the depassivation, the discharge current can be increased. The maximum permissible value for the cell or the value recommended by the manufacturer must be observed.