Resonate Testing provides RTCA DO-311A testing for permanently installed lithium batteries, including battery abuse testing and thermal runaway containment verification at cell, module and battery pack level.
RTCA DO-311A testing is essential for demonstrating that lithium batteries can be integrated safely and in compliance with international aviation regulations. By choosing Resonate Testing, manufacturers benefit from expert testing services delivered by a laboratory capable of carrying out RTCA DO-311A testing. This helps verify product safety, support regulatory compliance (FAA/EASA Technical Standard Orders), and streamline access to global aerospace markets, backed by reliable results and professional guidance throughout the testing and qualification process.
RTCA DO-311A is a Minimum Operational Performance Standard (MOPS) for permanently installed rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems used in aircraft.
It demonstrates that batteries can perform their intended functions safely under conditions encountered in aeronautical operations.
It applies to:
Environmental testing
Vibration testing
Shock testing
Ready to plan an RTCA DO-227A battery testing campaign? Send your requirement, drawings, installation assumptions or certification plan for engineer review and receive guidance on fireproof or fire-resistant classification, setup, instrumentation and evidence requirements.
Battery qualification programmes often require early review of the battery design, cell chemistry, intended aircraft application, certification pathway, test sample quantities and reporting requirements before testing begins.
Share battery drawings, dimensions, mass, electrical specifications, datasheets, safety documentation, applicable aviation standards and required reporting scope. Resonate Testing can review the proposed test programme and certification objectives before quotation.
RTCA DO-311A testing is commonly required across:
Venting categories are defined below and are based on the designed provisions for venting emissions when tested in accordance with this standard:
Testing baselines are explicitly determined by the battery system’s declared Energy Category:
| Standard / Guidance | Primary Focus | Typical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Wh < 2 | Exempt from this standard if certified to UL 1642, UL 2054, or IEC 62133. Otherwise, Category 2 applies. |
| Category 2 | 2 ≤ Wh < 20 | Full operational performance and safety qualification required. |
| Category 3 | 20 ≤ Wh < 200 | Full operational performance and safety qualification required. |
| Category 4 | Wh ≤200 | Full operational performance and safety qualification required. |
Testing performed to RTCA DO-311A is intended to support the qualification of rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems used in aircraft applications. The standard is widely used within aviation certification and approval programmes for rechargeable lithium battery installations. Typical objectives include assessing whether the battery system design, safety features and test evidence are suitable for the specified aviation requirement, customer specification or certification route.
Test planning is normally based on the specific battery system design and applicable aviation requirements, including cell chemistry, battery configuration, ratings, charging and discharging characteristics, drawings, dimensions, mass, sample quantities, safety documentation, instrumentation and reporting expectations. Applicability should be confirmed for the exact battery system, aircraft installation and certification programme requirements before testing begins.
Resonate Testing provides engineer-led aerospace battery testing support for rechargeable lithium batteries and battery systems used in aircraft applications. Programmes can be planned against RTCA DO-311A, applicable FAA and EASA approval requirements, relevant UL and IEC standards, and customer-defined battery qualification requirements.
The laboratory supports development, validation, qualification and certification evidence for rechargeable lithium battery systems where the agreed scope, safety documentation, test item quantities and reporting requirements are confirmed before quotation.
RTCA DO-331A defines the minimum performance standards for rechargeable lithium batteries used in airborne applications. The test programme ensures batteries can withstand the electrical, mechanical, thermal and environmental stresses likely to be encountered during normal operation and in fault conditions, helping to ensure safety and reliability in aviation applications.
Where the requirement demands it, Resonate can coordinate battery testing with related environmental or mechanical test activity so the evidence package aligns with the wider qualification programme.
Early engagement helps identify sample needs, safe operating limits, fixture requirements, instrumentation access and practical risks before the test campaign starts.
| Specification | Capability |
|---|---|
| Insulation resistance | Electrical isolation between power contacts and case before and after environmental testing. |
| Handle strength | Lifting integrity under twice the battery weight |
| Rated and thermal capacity | Capacity delivery at standard, operating low and operating high temperatures. |
| High-rate cycling | Repeated high-rate discharge and recharge performance for high-rate batteries. |
| Protected short circuit and overcharge | Behaviour with protective circuits operational under defined electrical abuse conditions. |
| Unprotected short circuit and overdischarge | Destructive testing with external protection disabled or bypassed to monitor containment thresholds. |
| Thermal runaway containment | Single-cell and battery-level runaway containment, including prevention of fragments or flames escaping. |
| Explosion containment and drop impact | Explosion atmosphere containment for batteries over 100 Wh and drop impact for portable devices in type design. |
An assembly consisting of one or more rechargeable lithium batteries together with any associated monitoring, control, protection or enclosure components.
The basic electrochemical unit that stores and releases electrical energy.
A battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged and uses lithium-based electrochemistry.
A condition where increasing battery temperature causes further heat generation, potentially leading to fire, venting or battery failure.
Charging a battery beyond its specified limits, which can create safety and performance risks.
Discharging a battery below its minimum allowable voltage, potentially causing permanent damage or safety concerns.
An unintended low-resistance electrical connection that can result in excessive current flow, heating and battery failure.
In RTCA DO-311A battery testing, the condition of each sample before, during and after test activity is central to the evidence package. Visible damage, venting, leakage, deformation, temperature behaviour and other agreed observations should be considered when defining acceptance criteria.
Risk should be reviewed early because lithium cells and batteries involve stored energy, chemistry-specific hazards and handling constraints. Instrumentation, photographs, witness inspection, quarantine arrangements and emergency response information should be agreed before the test is quoted or committed.
Aerospace battery qualification programmes may require more than standalone RTCA DO-311A testing. Coordinating RTCA DO-311A battery testing with vibration, shock, temperature, altitude, humidity and other environmental testing can help align sample planning, instrumentation, test sequencing and certification evidence across the wider qualification programme.
For projects that also require mechanical, environmental or aerospace qualification testing, review the related services before finalising the test campaign, certification strategy and evidence package.
Outputs are agreed before the test so the evidence matches the programme need. A typical package may include:
Recorded test conditions, battery observations and agreed instrumentation data
Evidence of achieved conditions, test sequence and agreed sample handling steps
Observations from setup, test execution and post-test review
Photographic evidence where agreed
Venting, leakage, deformation, temperature behaviour or other observations where included in the plan
An agreed test report or data pack aligned to the quotation scope
Send the battery specification, energy category, venting category, drawings, intended aircraft application, protective circuitry details, environmental requirements and acceptance criteria for engineer review.
Whether you’re looking to contact us for the first time or have another testing requirement, we’d love to hear from you.
