Samsung SDI's UPS batteries pass global fire-blocking test

Samsung SDI's batteries for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units — critical systems that instantly supply stored battery power during sudden blackouts or voltage instability  for data centers — have passed a global certification body's fire-blocking test confirming their safety to support the stable operation of AI data centers. 

The Korean battery maker said Tuesday its UPS batteries met all evaluation criteria in an indoor fire test by UL Solutions, which checks whether fire spreads to adjacent racks or systems after a module in a UPS battery rack is forcibly ignited and allowed to burn until fully consumed.

UPS systems instantly supply stored battery power during sudden blackouts or voltage instability. 

In the test, the battery module was completely burned, but the fire did not spread to nearby racks, and no gas venting, explosion, or rupture occurred, Samsung SDI said. 

The fire extinguished itself even without an overhead sprinkler activating. 

Samsung SDI attributed the result to its thermal propagation prevention design along with prismatic battery technology featuring lithium manganese oxide material and an aluminum casing. 

BY SARAH CHEA   [[email protected]]