Powering the Future Safely: The Importance of Functional Safety in Electrification

The world is moving toward electrification and that’s changing everyday life and entire industries. From the cars we drive and the trains we ride to home energy systems and consumer appliances, electrification is everywhere. Electric vehicles, battery storage, the charging infrastructure and renewable energy solutions – The technologies providing us with a cleaner future Most Recent Changes Underlying this shift are electric cars and trucks, battery storage, charging infrastructure and pilot projects. Despite some challenges in terms of range and price (economies of scale are pushing this cost down however), adoption is imminent.

Why Electrification Increases Safety Demands?

Electrification brings new risks as opposed to conventional mechanical or combustion systems. These are:
• High currents and voltages in EV batteries and charging systems.
• Risks of battery pack thermal runaway.
• Advanced power electronics applied to inverters and converters.
• Energy exchange in the smart grid and vehicle- to-grid (V2G) scenario.

In the absence of control, such threats could result in fires, electrical hazards and systems that fail catastrophically. Standards of functional safety compliance are necessary to neutralize such threats.

Applicable Standards for Electrification

• IEC 61508: The standard for functional safety, industry independent.
• ISO 26262: Used for electric vehicles, such as batteries, power electronics and control units.
• IEC 61851 / IEC 62196: Providing for the safety specifications of EV charging systems.
• IEC 62061: Mirrors the machinery safety for electric systems.

Functional Safety Challenges in Electrification

1. Battery Safety
   Thermal runaway and aging effects have to be treated with caution by monitoring and protection circuits.
2. EV Charging Infrastructure
   Ultra-fast and fast chargers need to comply with functional safety standards in a bid to handle extra loads safely.
3. Integration of Renewable Energy
   With solar, wind, and grid systems interacting with batteries and charging systems, new vulnerabilities are linked with bidirectional energy flow.
4. Global Market Access
   Safety requirements differ across regions, and international certification becomes complicated.

How Nemko Ensures Safety in Electrification

Nemko is heavily committed to testing and certifying products that drive electrification. Services are:

• Functional Safety Testing: Assesses compliance of batteries, charging systems, and power electronics with IEC and ISO standards.
• Global Market Access Certification: Allows products to be sold on the European, North American, or Asian market.
• Risk Assessment and Advisory Services: Helps the manufacturer identify hazards early and incorporate safety into the design of the product.
• Lifecycle Compliance: Continuous compliance enabled from concept design through end-of-life management.
  

Nemko As a Partner You Can Rely on for Electrification Safety

With its international presence and experience, manufacturers may now rely on highly tested products for safety and compliance assurance. By staying on top of the ever-changing standards and fostering close customer relationships, Nemko not only should be considered a mere certification body but also a regulatory partner in electrification on a global scale.

What's Ahead?

Electrification will keep fast-tracking globally with opportunities and threats. Those companies that embed functional safety in their innovation processes will be the market leaders with products that are efficient and sustainable but also safe and reliable.
Manufacturers can convert electrification woes into success stories with the help of Nemko's testing, certification, and compliance. Innovation is always complemented with safety.