Why Washing Resistance is the New Frontier for Battery Safety ? In the era of wearable technology, a new safety hazard has emerged: accidental laundry. Consumers frequently forget their TWS earbuds, smartwatches, or fitness trackers in pockets, sending them through rigorous washing and spinning cycles. For lithium-ion batteries, The combination of alkaline detergent, high temperature, and high-speed centrifugal force can be catastrophic, leading to leakage, fire, or explosion.
To address this, the GB 31241-2022 standard (Safety specifications for lithium-ion batteries and battery packs used in portable electronic equipment) introduced a mandatory Washing Test (Clause 8.8). Our lithium battery washing test chamber (Model: WEW-BT-31241-4e) is engineered specifically to meet this rigorous requirement. Whether you are targeting the Chinese market or establishing high internal safety standards for global R&D, this machine is your definitive solution for washing resistance testing. Don’t let alaundry acciden become a PR disaster. Ensure your lithium batteries can withstand the wash cycle with our certified lithium battery washing test chamber.
| Equipment Model | WEW-BT-31241-4e (Washing Test) |
| Control Method: | Touch Screen Control |
| Drive Method: | Servo Motor Drive |
| Solution Temperature Range: | Room temperature ~ 80℃ (adjustable), commonly used temperature is 45±2℃ |
| Test Turntable Outer Diameter: | Ø500 ±10mm |
| Test Inner Barrel Diameter: | Ø650 mm |
| Test Inner Barrel Depth: | 600 mm |
| Turntable Speed: | 1-800r/min Adjustable |
| Inner Chamber Material: | SUS#304 stainless steel, thickness 2.0mm |
| Outer Chamber Material: | Cold-rolled steel plate with painted finish, Thickness 1.5mm |
| Observation Window: | 300x400mm tempered glass, transparent window with stainless steel mesh; |
| Lighting Device: | A light is installed on the transparent window for easy observation of the test status of the product. |
| Test Time: | Adjustable from 0 to 99 Hours |
| Temp Control Method: | P.I.D Control |
| Washing solution: | Prepare a solution with a pH of 11.0±0.1 (0.004% NaOH solution can be used), and heat the solution to (45±2)℃ |
| GB 31241-2022 Clause 8.8 Immersion Test: | Fix the sample on the rotating device (washing paddle), then place the sample in the solution (the height of the battery center from the liquid surface is 300mm±10mm) and immerse for 0.5h. Maintain the solution temperature at (45±2)℃ during the experiment. |
| Stirring Comment: | Fix the sample on the rotating device and rotate it in the solution for 0.5 hours at a speed of 60 rpm |
| Dehydration: | Remove the solution and rotate for 10 minutes at a speed of 800 rpm. |
| Drying Test: | Place the sample in a high-temperature chamber and heat it for 0.5 hours at a temperature of 45°C ± 2°C |
| Drain Valve: | Located at the bottom rear of the machine, this valve can be manually opened to drain water from the tank. |
| Internal Tank Dimensions: | 900x900x650 mm (WxDxH) |
| External Dimensions: | 1200x1150x1900 mm (WxDxH) |
| Equipment Weight: | 385.0 KGS |
| Power Supply: | AC220V, 50 Hz, 1 Phase |
| Power Consumption: | 8.5 KW (Max) |
| While international standards like IEC 62133 focus on electrical abuse, GB 31241-2022 is unique in its focus on environmental accidents specific to portable electronics. | GB 31241-2022 Washing Test (Clause 8.8) |
| The Battery Washing Test is not a simple waterproof test. It is a dynamic simulation that pushes the battery to its mechanical and chemical limits: | |
| 1. Solution Preparation: The battery is immersed in an alkaline solution (pH 11.0 ± 1.0) simulating laundry detergent. | |
| 2. High-Temperature Soaking: The solution is heated to 45°C ± 2°C (or higher depending on custom requirements) to accelerate chemical corrosion. | |
| 3. Agitation & Spinning: The test involves complex cycles of stirring (washing) and high-speed dehydration (spinning), testing the structural integrity of the battery seal under centrifugal force. | |
| Note: Pass Criteria: After the washing and drying cycle, The battery must not fire, explode, or leak liquid. | |
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GB 31241 8.8 wash test applies to the following products: ① Lithium-ion battery packs for handheld electronic products; ② Lithium-ion battery packs for portable electronic products that can be carried or used in a pocket; ③ Other portable electronic products with pocket-sized battery packs; ④ Handheld electronic products with non-user-replaceable batteries/battery packs. To ensure the precision of test results and the longevity of the WEW-BT-31241-4e, Please ensure the equipment is installed in a laboratory environment that meets the following criteria:
| The laboratory temperature should be maintained between 0°C and 35°C. Relative Humidity: Relative humidity should not exceed 85% R.H. | Temperature & Humidity: |
| The site should have an atmospheric pressure of 86 ~ 106 kPa and be free from strong mechanical vibrations. | Atmospheric Pressure & Stability: |
| The equipment must be installed away from direct sunlight and other sources of direct heat radiation to prevent temperature interference during testing. | Environmental Exposure: |
| Unlike modified household washing machines which lack precision, WEW-BT-31241-4e is a lab-grade instrument designed for repeatability and accuracy. We utilize a high-end Servo Motor instead of a standard frequency motor. This ensures: | 1. Precision Servo Motor Drive |
* Accurate Speed Control: Precise regulation from 1 to 800 rpm. * Stable Torque: Maintains consistent rotation speed even when testing heavier battery packs, ensuring the centrifugal force is exactly as required by the standard. |
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| The test chamber is equipped with a heating system capable of maintaining solution temperatures from Room Temperature up to 80°C. This covers the standard 45°C requirement and allows for “stress testing” at higher temperatures for R&D purposes. | 2. Advanced Temperature Control |
| * Inner Chamber: Constructed from 2.0mm thick SUS#304 Stainless
Steel. This offers superior resistance to the corrosive alkaline solutions
(pH 11) used during testing. * Safety Viewing: A large 300x400mm tempered glass window protected by a stainless steel mesh ensures operator safety in case of battery thermal runaway. |
3. Industrial-Grade Durability |



| ● | Q: Why do I need a specific Battery Washing Tester instead of a home washing machine? |
| ● | A: Household machines cannot precisely control the RPM (speed) or maintain the strict temperature (45°C) required by GB 31241. Our chamber uses a servo motor to guarantee the exact test conditions (e.g., 800 rpm) are met for certification. |
| ● | Q: Is this test only for the China market? |
| ● | A: While GB 31241-2022 is a Chinese standard, major international brands (like Apple, Samsung, and Sony) adopt this test for their wearable devices because it simulates a very common real-world accident. It is considered a “best practice” for global battery safety. |
| ● | Q: Can this machine perform the spinning (dehydration) cycle? |
| ● | A: Yes. With a maximum speed of 800 r/min, the WEW-BT-31241-4e effectively simulates the high-speed spinning cycle of a washing machine, which is critical for testing the mechanical strength of the battery seal. |
| ● | Q: What types of batteries is this suitable for? |
| ● | A: It is designed for lithium-ion batteries and battery packs used in portable electronic equipment, especially those small enough to be carried in a pocket (e.g., TWS earbuds, smartphones, smartwatches). |
