Overview

This consumer safety standard covers micro fuel cell power systems, micro fuel cell power units and fuel cartridges that are wearable or easily carried by hand, providing d.c. outputs that do not exceed 60 V d.c. and power outputs that do not exceed 240 VA. Portable fuel cell power systems that provide output levels that exceed these electrical limits are covered by IEC 62282-5-1. Externally accessible circuitry is therefore considered to be safety extra low voltage (SELV) circuitry as defined in IEC 60950-1:2005, and as limited power circuits if further compliance with 2.5 of IEC 60950-1:2005 is demonstrated. Micro fuel cell power systems or units that have internal circuitry exceeding 60 V d.c. or 240 VA should be appropriately evaluated in accordance with the separate criteria of IEC 60950-1:2005. This standard establishes requirements for all micro fuel cell power systems, micro fuel cell power units and fuel cartridges to ensure a reasonable degree of safety for normal use, reasonably foreseeable misuse, and consumer transportation of such items. The fuel cartridges covered by this standard are not intended to be refilled by the consumer. Fuel cartridges refilled by the manufacturer or by trained technicians shall meet all requirements of this standard. These products are not intended for use in hazardous areas as defined by IEV 426-03-01. Clauses 1 through 7 of this standard cover direct methanol fuel cells using methanol or methanol and water solutions as fuel and specific requirements for direct methanol fuel cells using proton exchange membrane technologies. The standard also covers general requirements applicable to all fuel cell technologies and all fuels covered in Annexes A through H. The manufacturer can consider fuels, materials, designs or constructions not specifically dealt with in this standard. These alternatives should be evaluated as to their ability to yield levels of safety equivalent to those prescribed by this standard. As a result, the standard can also provide a good basis for developed fuels. The responsible committee is DKE/K 384 "Brennstoffzellen" ("Fuel cells") of the DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies) at DIN and VDE.

Document: references other documents

Responsible national committee

DKE/K 384 - Brennstoffzellen