New Battery Charging Regulations: What You Need to Know

The innovation of batteries and battery charger technology has led the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to request comments on the regulation for criteria and testing procedures for battery chargers.
We have compiled a list with five questions and answers on some the changes that may be expected from the proposed rulemaking document (the final interpretation will be available when published by the DOE).

Q. Do new rules from the US Department of Energy affect my battery charging product?

A. The short answer is ‘yes’. The Department of Energy in the US has published the notice of proposed rulemaking and further requested comments. From the proposal, there are several critical changes in the requirement and test procedure, and they are expected to be in the final rule. These are expected to influence most battery chargers. A transition period is expected, and we wait for further announcement from DOE.

Q. What is changing in the scope of wireless charging?

A. The scope of wireless charging has increased the rated battery energy from maximum 5Wh to 100Wh, covering most kinds of wireless chargers in the market. The scope also includes both wet and dry environments. Both kinds of charging methodologies, fixed location and open placement, are taken into account.

Q. Is it acceptable not to provide a power supply for the battery charger?

A: Yes, it is fine. Previously this would be replaced by DC source equipment. When the adaptive power supply is in use with the battery charger, a wall adapter should be used (one that is minimally compliant with the applicable energy conservation standard and supplies the rated input voltage and current).

Q. What would be the requirement parameter to look for?

A: DOE has proposed to change the calculation of UEC value (unit energy consumption) into individual requirements, on Active mode, Standby mode and Off mode. Thus, new requirements are expected to be specified at a later date.

Q. Are there any other changes in the DOE proposal?

There are still some other changes from the current edition, details can be referred to the document in this link. Further clarification from DOE is expected in final document.

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