Battery safety

How safe is the lithium battery?

The Newcastle battery pack employs lithium-iron phosphate technology, which is significantly more stable than standard Lithium-Ion or Lithium-Polymer solutions. Unlike these other chemistries, Lithium-iron phosphate batteries are not subject to potentially dangerous ignition events such as fire when subjected to over-heating or mechanical abuse. The Newcastle battery pack has a proprietary Battery Management System (BMS) that was designed specifically for the Newcastle System. The BMS prevents the operation of the pack unless it is engaged in a Newcastle Charge Cradle or Cart Dock. While engaged in the Newcastle System, the BMS will disable the battery pack in the event of a fault condition, such as overcurrent, short circuits or overcharge. The Newcastle pack design has passed rigorous transportation testing required by the US Government (49 CFR 173.185) and the European Union (UN 38.3) In the unlikely event of fire, this can be handled like any other combustible fire. For best results use a foam, CO2, or ABC dry chemical extinguishers.