Electric self-balancing scooters and kick scooters are a hit item in Europe and the United Sates. However, continuous reports of fire resulting from self-inflammation have led the United States to urge manufacturers to recall 500,000 electric self-balancing scooters.
According to investigation results in the United States, United Kingdom and other countries, fire is caused by the failure of the electrical system, such as the lithium battery and charger. Under this background, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) has established CNS 15979 "Safety requirements of electrical systems for electric self-balancing scooters (kick scooters)" to enhance the quality and safety of electric self-balancing scooters.
Taking into consideration the electrical dangers that might happen while operating electric self-balancing scooters, the standard specifies a number of tests and evaluations to ensure product safety. The lithium battery must undergo tests for overcharge, imbalanced charging and short circuit. The charger must comply with the safety requirement of information equipment, its plastic cover must be flame resistance and it must be equipped with an automatic power off function. The requirements can ensure the quality of parts and eliminate the possibility of fire caused by the malfunction of flawed parts.
The assessment for mechanical safety of electric self-balancing scooters includes vibration, shock, crush, drop, splash of water and water immersion. This ensures that the scooter is robust enough to protect the electrical system inside and eliminates the possibility that a failure in the exterior system could affect user safety.
The CNS 15979 specifies test items and requirements for electric self-balancing scooters (kick scooters). Manufacturers are advised to design and produce electric self-balancing scooters according to the standard to ensure quality and safety. The BSMI will continue to survey the development and trend in international standards and revise or establish standards as appropriate.
For more information, please visit CNS Online Service web site at http://www.cnsonline.com.tw.
Agency in charge: Department of Standards (First Division) Contact person: Mr. Chui-Hsin Chiu
Telephone: (02)3343-5117