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Generally, LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries are quite safe and stable, but it’s still possible for something to go wrong, even something catastrophic, like the battery management system (BMS) developing a direct short. This is one of the tests required to be certified for the UL 2054 standard that targets household and portable battery safety. In a recent series of videos, [Will Prowse] demonstrates how a series of commercial batteries pass these tests, and how some still fail.
This particular short-circuit test is quite demanding, as it requires that this failure condition is immediately detected and some kind of fail-safe mechanism – like a fuse – kicks in. The first two batteries easily pass this test by blowing their fuse, just as you expect. Interestingly, the second unit here isn’t even UL-listed but comes with multiple layers of safety.
The third unit shown is a ‘Li Time’ LFP battery akin to what you’d purchase off a random online retailer’s website. This battery features the typical basic BMS and battery configuration, but is missing a chunky, prominently placed fuse. ‘LiTime’ also claims to be UL 2054 certified. The problem with this claim is that there is no fuse to prevent a thermal runaway event if the BMS were to short.
