UL 1973 2022-02 PDF

Full title and description

ANSI/CAN/UL 1973:2022 — Batteries for Use in Stationary and Motive Auxiliary Power Applications. Third edition (published February 25, 2022). The standard sets safety requirements and test methods for battery systems and battery modules intended for stationary energy storage, vehicle auxiliary power (VAP) and certain rail applications; it evaluates the ability of battery systems to safely withstand simulated abuse and defines additional technology-specific annexes and evaluation programs.

Abstract

UL 1973 (3rd edition, 2022) is a North American safety standard (ANSI/CAN/UL designation) that focuses on product-level safety for batteries and battery systems used in stationary and motive auxiliary power applications. The document addresses electrical, mechanical, thermal and chemical safety aspects (including simulated abuse conditions), and adds evaluation pathways for lead‑acid and other chemistries through annexes and Certification Requirement Decisions (CRDs). The 2022 revision harmonized ANSI/SCC approvals and incorporated proposals that expanded scope and test requirements.

General information

• Status: Active (third edition; current UL standard for this subject area).
• Publication date: February 25, 2022.
• Publisher: UL Standards & Engagement / UL Standards (ANSI/CAN/UL designation).
• ICS / categories: Electrical engineering — galvanic cells and batteries (ICS 29.220) and related electrical traction/battery categories.
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (third edition, 2022).
• Number of pages: Varies by format (UL publishes the standard in digital PDF and printed formats; page count depends on the purchased format). For product purchase and format options see the UL Standards product listing.

Scope

Requirements in UL 1973 cover battery systems (and defined modules/monoblocs) intended for energy-storage in stationary applications (PV, wind, UPS, telecom, data centers, etc.), vehicle auxiliary power (VAP) systems (e.g., RVs and other non-traction vehicle auxiliary systems), and certain light-rail/railway stationary applications. The standard concentrates on safety evaluation (abuse, thermal, electrical, mechanical, gas generation and venting, and system‑level safety controls) rather than performance or long-term reliability. It also contains annexes with technology-specific requirements (lead‑acid, sodium‑beta, flow batteries, metal‑air, etc.) and has been updated through CRDs to add or clarify chemistry-specific test parameters.

Key topics and requirements

• Battery system abuse and simulated‑misuse testing (electrical, mechanical, thermal stress and fault conditions).
• Cell, monobloc and module level tests and pass/fail criteria for thermal, venting and flammability hazards.
• Requirements for battery management/electronics to reliably control safety functions and limit hazardous conditions.
• Technology‑specific annexes and evaluation programs (e.g., lead‑acid evaluation pathway; sodium‑beta, flow, metal‑air, nickel chemistries) and CRDs that refine testing for new chemistries like nickel‑zinc.
• Integration considerations with installation codes (NFPA 70/NEC, NFPA 855 and applicable railway or vehicle codes) and interface with system‑level standards such as UL 9540 / UL 9540A for energy storage systems and thermal runaway evaluation.
• EMC, functional safety assessments and requirements added or clarified in the 2022 edition compared with earlier editions.

Typical use and users

Manufacturers of batteries, modules and rack systems seeking North American safety certification; BESS and ESS integrators; UPS, telecom and data‑center equipment suppliers; stationary energy storage project developers; manufacturers of vehicle auxiliary power systems (non‑traction); rail equipment designers where battery systems are installed in vehicles or substations; test laboratories and certification bodies. The standard is commonly referenced during product development, certification and by Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) for safety compliance.

Related standards

UL 1973 is part of a broader battery and energy‑storage standards ecosystem; related documents commonly referenced together include UL 9540 (Energy Storage Systems and Equipment), UL 9540A (Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation), UL 2580 / UL 2271 (traction and light‑electric vehicle battery standards), UN 38.3 (transport), NFPA 70 (NEC) and NFPA 855 (installation of stationary energy storage). Project and product compliance often requires a combination of these standards depending on system scope and installation.

Keywords

UL 1973, batteries, energy storage, BESS, ESS, stationary batteries, vehicle auxiliary power (VAP), light electric rail (LER), battery safety, abuse testing, UL 9540, UL 9540A, CRD, ANSI/CAN/UL 1973:2022.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: UL 1973 (ANSI/CAN/UL 1973:2022, 3rd edition) is a North American safety standard that defines test requirements and evaluation methods for batteries and battery systems used in stationary energy storage, vehicle auxiliary power and certain rail applications. It is published by UL Standards & Engagement and was issued on February 25, 2022.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers safety testing and evaluation (electrical, mechanical, thermal and chemical hazards) of cells, monoblocs, modules and systems under simulated abuse and fault conditions; it includes annexes and evaluation programs for specific chemistries and clarifies system‑level interactions with installation codes. It is focused on safety rather than performance metrics like capacity or lifecycle.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Battery and BESS manufacturers, system integrators, test labs, certification bodies, and AHJs (building/fire/transport authorities) use UL 1973 when developing, testing or approving battery products and installations for North American markets.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The third edition (2022) is the active edition (published February 25, 2022). Subsequent Certification Requirement Decisions (CRDs) and UL documentation may add clarifications or chemistry‑specific updates; users should check UL’s standards publications/CRDs for the latest mandatory certification requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of UL’s family of battery and energy storage standards and is typically used in conjunction with system‑level standards such as UL 9540 and UL 9540A, and with applicable vehicle or traction battery standards for propulsion systems (e.g., UL/ULC 2580, UL 2271) depending on the application.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Batteries, energy storage, stationary, vehicle auxiliary power, UL 1973, ANSI/CAN/UL, BESS, ESS, abuse testing, thermal runaway evaluation, CRD, UL 9540, UL 9540A.