battery NISSAN LEAF 2013 1.G First Responders Guide

3-3 How to Handle a Damaged Vehicle at an Accident Scene
NO
TE:
If any air bags have deployed in the following 3 situations, the high-voltage (HV) system has
been automatically shut off at the time of deployment.
The Nissan LEAF high-voltage system incorporates capacitors which are energized whenever the high-
voltage system is on. If the high-voltage system is shut down (either through one of the built-in automatic
mechanisms or manually through one of the procedures explained in this FRG) , the capacitors will begin to
gradually discharge. After 5 minutes, the voltage level will have dropped below 60V, and complete
discharge requires approximately 10 minutes after high-voltage system shut down. It is within
this period of time that responders must be most cautious.
When arriving to an incident involving a Nissan LEAF, the vehicle should be approached with caution and
inspected for the level of damage. In addition to overall vehicle condition (location and severity of body
damage, air bag deployment, etc.) , the high-voltage system should be assessed specifically. The locations
of the high-voltage component parts are illustrated in this FRG. Refer to 2-1 High Voltage-Related and 12V-
Related

Component Locations and Descriptions . Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must
always

be worn when approaching a vehicle of unknown condition, as described in this FRG.
Situation 1) High voltage system intact, occupants can be accessed without extrication tools
The HV system can be shut down by following the procedures in this guide, while wearing appropriate PPE.
After HV system shut down, occupant assistance can begin immediately, and no wait period is necessary.
Situation 2) High voltage system intact, occupants cannot be accessed without extrication tools
The HV system can be shut down by following the procedure in this guide, while wearing appropriate PPE.
After HV system shut down, absolute care must be taken not to cut through or damage any HV system
wiring, battery or components within ten (10) minutes of HV system shut down, but occupant
assistance operations using extrication equipment can begin immediately. The locations of the HV
components are illustrated in this guide.
Situation 3) High-voltage (HV) system damaged
If there is any evidence that the HV system has been compromised (such as arcing/sparking, orange wiring
harnesses cut or damaged, HV component casings damaged, etc.) , the responder may still be at risk of
high voltage exposure. The vehicle must be approached with extreme caution prior to initiating any system
shut down procedures or rendering assistance to occupants. Appropriate PPE must always be worn as
described in this guide, and the ten (10) minute wait time must be observed after HV system shut
down in order to ensure the system is de-energized.
In rare situations where vehicle damage is very severe, HV system shut down procedures as described in
this guide may not work. In these instances extreme caution and appropriate risk management must be
followed to prevent shock or electrocution to the responder or occupant.
3-3.1 High Voltage System Shut-Down Procedures
Once the high voltage battery is properly discharged, any of the following procedures can shut down and
isolate the high voltage system. The first response operation should only begin after shutting down the high
voltage system. If the vehicle is heavily damaged, for example the Li-ion battery is deformed, broken or
cracked, appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must always be used and the Li-ion battery and
high voltage components must not be touched.
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• Failure to properly shut down the high voltage system before the Emergency
Response Procedures are performed will result in serious injury or death from
electrical shock. To prevent serious injury or death, DO NOT touch high voltage
harnesses or components without always wearing appropriate Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) .
• When contact with high voltage components or high voltage harnesses is
unavoidable,
or when there is risk of such contact, you must always wear appropriate
PPE. • If the charge connector is connected to the vehicle, remove it. Refer to
Removing the
Charge

Connector .
• The vehicle contains parts that contain powerful magnets. If a person who is wearing
a

pacemaker or other medical device is close to these parts, the medical device may be
affected by the magnets. Such persons must not perform work on the vehicle.
• Be sure to verify that the READY indicator is off and the high voltage system is
stopped.
•

After the high voltage system is shut down, please wait at least ten (10) minutes for
complete discharge of the high voltage capacitor. While waiting, do not operate any vehicle
functions.
NOTE:
The high voltage full discharge takes ten (10) minutes, but after five (5) minutes the voltage
has dropped below 60V.
• After shutting down the high voltage system and removing the 12V battery negative (-) terminal, wait at least three (3) minutes to discharge the air bag capacitor. Even though the
12V battery negative (-) is disconnected, the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) air bag
maintains voltage at least three (3) minutes. During this time, there is a possibility of
sudden SRS air bag inflation due to harness short circuit or damage and it may cause
serious injuries.
• Always shut down the high voltage system before disconnecting the 12V battery. Not doing so may result in serious injury or death from electrical shock.
• The 12V system will remain active even after the 12V battery negative (-) terminal is removed while the high voltage system is active. The high voltage system is active during
any of the following conditions:
– charging indicator is turned ON
– READY indicator is turned ON
Refer to 1-1.2 Interior Component Location for location of these indicators. This is because
DC/DC

converter will not shut down and power will be supplied to the 12V system and
high voltage system continuously.
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Indications the High Voltage System is ON
1. If the READY indicator is ON, the high voltage system is active.
2.

The high voltage system is active if any charge indicator
is ON (blue LEDs on top of the instrument panel) .
Before disconnecting the 12V battery terminal, if necessary, lower the windows, unlock the doors, and open
the rear hatch as required. Once 12V battery is disconnected, power controls will not operate.
Powering Down the High Voltage System
The high voltage system can be shut down with any 1 of the following procedures: • Turn OFF the power switch anddisconnect the 12V battery. Refer to
Primary Procedure.
•

Remove the fuses for the high voltage control system and disconnect the 12V battery. Refer to
Alternate Procedure 1 (Remove Fuses).
•

Remove the service plug and disconnect the 12V battery. Refer to Alternate Procedure 2 (Remove
Service

Plug) .
Primary

Procedure
1. Check the READY indicator status. If it is ON, the high voltage system is active.
2.

Place the selector lever in the Park (P) position.
3. Press the power switch once to turn OFF the high voltage system. Then verify whether the READY indicator is OFF.
4.
If possible, keep the Nissan Intelligent Key® at least 5
meters (16 feet) away from the vehicle.
NOTE:
This step is not necessary if the 12V system is
already disabled. AAYIA0155ZZ
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5. Open the hood.
6.
Disconnect the negative (-) 12V battery cable (1) .
Insulate the negative (-) battery cable terminal with
insulated tape.
NOTE: : Arrow in illustration depicts vehicle front
direction.
7. Wait

at least ten (10) minutes for complete discharge of the high voltage capacitor after
the power switch has been turned OFF.
8. Perform the first response action.
Alternate Procedure 1 (Remove Fuses) 1. Open the hood. AAYIA0145ZZ
1
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4. Remove the fuse box cover and remove the 20A VCM fuse.
NO TE: : Arrow in illustration depicts vehicle front direction.
5.

If you cannot identify the above fuses, remove all fuses in the fuse boxes.
6. Disconnect the negative (-) 12V battery cable (1) . Insulate the negative (-) battery cable terminal with
insulated tape.
NOTE: : Arrow in illustration depicts vehicle front
direction.
7. Wait

at least ten (10) minutes for complete discharge of the high voltage capacitor after
the fuses are pulled.
8. Perform the first response action. To avoid unintended reinstallation and risk of electrical shock and severe personal
injury
or death, the rescuer should carry the fuses on his/her person and cover the fuse box
with insulated tape. 20A VCM (Yellow)
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Alternate Procedure 2 (Remove Service Plug)
• Do not remove the service plug without always wearing appropriate Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) to help protect the responder from serious injury or death
by electrical shock.
• Immediately cover the service plug socket with insulated tape. The Li-ion battery
retains
high voltage power even when the service plug is removed. To avoid electric
shock, DO NOT touch the terminals inside the socket. To avoid unintended reinstallation and risk of electrical shock and severe personal injury
or

death, the rescuer should carry the service plug on his/her person while work is in
progress.
1. Insert a suitable tool (1) under the RH rear corner of theaccess trim cover located on the floor behind the center
console. Pry up (2) and remove.
NOTE: : Arrow in illustration depicts vehicle front
direction.
2.

Remove the 10 mm access cover bolts (1) and remove
the cover (2) .
NOTE: : Arrow in illustration depicts vehicle front
direction. 12
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2
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3. Remove the service plug using the following steps: (1) pull up and release the green lever, (2)
press the locking tab to release and rotate fully upward, (3) pull the service plug completely out of
its socket.
4. Wait at least ten (10) minutes for complete discharge of the high voltage capacitor after
the service plug has been removed.
5. Open the hood.
6. Disconnect the negative (-) 12V battery cable (1) . Insulate the negative (-) battery cable terminal with
insulated tape.
NOTE: : Arrow in illustration depicts vehicle front
direction. 1
2
3
Pull up Rotate
Push to
release Pull up
and
remove
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7. Perform the first response action.
3-3.2 Water Submersion Damage level of submerged vehicle may not be apparent. Handling a submerged
vehicle
without appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will result in serious
injury or death from electrical shock. • The power switch of the submerged vehicle must be turned OFF first, if possible. Then
the
vehicle must be completely out of the water and drained to avoid electrical shock.
• Always wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and remove/drain
water
before removing the service plug when working on a vehicle after a fire or
submersion to avoid electrical shock.
• If the vehicle is in the water, to avoid electrical shock do not touch the high voltage
components,
harnesses or service plug.
3-3.3 Vehicle Fire • Always utilize full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing
apparatus
during fire fighting operations. Smoke from a LEAF vehicle fire is similar to
smoke from a conventional vehicle fire.
• In the case of extinguishing a fire with water, large amounts of water from a fire hydrant (if possible) must be used. DO NOT extinguish fire with a small amount of water. In the event of a small fire, a Type ABC fire extinguisher may be used for an electrical fire
caused

by wiring harnesses, electrical components, etc. or oil fire.
Fire attack should follow standard fire fighting practices.
If you must walk away from the vehicle, notify an appropriate responder or a rescue person of the fact that
the vehicle is an electric car and contains a high voltage system and warn all others.
During overhaul operations (late stage fire suppression process to examine for remaining sources of heat) ,
make sure the battery is fully cooled to avoid fire re-ignition. The battery could reignite if it is placed near fire.
To avoid possible electrical shock and serious personal injury, do not breach the Li-ion battery case.
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3-3.4 Cutting the Vehicle Body
• Do not cut into high voltage related areas to avoid severe personal injury or death.
• Do not cut into the Li-ion battery to avoid severe personal injury or death.
• When removing parts, DO NOT touch the high voltage parts or the insides of the
exposed orange-colored high voltage cables to avoid severe personal injury or death. • Do not cut air bag parts to avoid unintended deployment of the air bags and the risk of
severe
personal injury or death.
If at least ten (10) minutes have passed since the rescuer shut down the high voltage system (refer to
3-3.1 High Voltage System Shut-Down Procedures) , then the rescuer can cut the vehicle except for the Li-ion battery.
If

the rescuer cannot wait the full ten (10) minutes or shut down the high voltage system,
absolute care must be taken to avoid cutting HV parts and appropriate Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) must always be worn. DO NOT cut the Li-ion battery due to possible
electrocution risk and electrolyte solution leakage.
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SRS Air Bag System Components Location
Avoid
cutting air bag system parts. However, the vehicle can be cut (except inflators) under the following
conditions: • The front, side and curtain air bags have deployed.
• At least three (3) minutes have passed after the 12V battery negative (-) cable has beendisconnected and the high voltage system has been shut down. = Inflators (Peel back plastic trim parts prior to cutting


operations to confirm exact inflator location.)
= Sensors
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