About the Electric Board.
The BRCA Electric Board (EB) was formed at the end
of 2000. Within the Association, there
are different Sections that use the same Electric items, which prior to the
forming of the (EB) had to comply with varying rules within the Sections.
The prime objective of the (EB) is to formulate a common set of rules,
specifications and fix maximum prices for the BRCA Electric Sections to
use. Officers of the (EB) also liaise
with the major International organisations for our sport, in an effort to
achieve common rules and specifications that apply to International events.
Changes, clarifications or updates for 2008.
(EB).
Rule Changes:-
Wording amended to clarify that all Electric Sections involved with the
(EB) are consulted before any change is adopted.
Homologation Procedure:- Wording amended to clarify that items
supplied by internet sales only, is not acceptable when items are required to
be available by retail sale
Price Limits:- The retail price limit for motors and
batteries is unchanged from 2007.
Motor Variations:- As with the armature variations in Brushed
motors, any variations of the rotors for a Brushless motor must be submitted
for approval and be available by retail sale.
Starter-Pack Batteries:- The capacity for batteries in this
category has been raised to 3700mah for 2008.
Cell Rules:- The 2007
BRCA Handbook stated that the BRCA intended to follow the EFRA ruling for the
dimensions of cells in use at sanctioned events from
There have been various suggestions that the new dimension ruling is to combat recent safety issues with certain types of cells. This is not correct, as the intention to change the rule was agreed long before the exploding cells became apparent.
The reason for the new dimension ruling is simply to have some control on manufacturers. Previously, cells only had to meet the dimensions when supplied as samples for approval and before any charging/matching processes. This procedure did not control the cells after approval. The result being, that some manufacturers have effectively been ‘cheating’ by changing the cells after approval and during the homologation year. We are aware of cells increasing in size, weight, (and presumably performance) during the year, often at the expense of reliability. Some of the cells have increased in length to the extent that they will not fit correctly into the cars. Even the ‘matching’ companies are having problems with cells being too long for their equipment.
In recent years, some cells have effectively been illegal, even though they were detailed on the homologation list, because they were not the same specification as the samples approved. In an effort to control this situation, it has been decided that cells have to conform to the IEC Spec. dimensions even after charging/cycling. It is hoped that this will limit the development by the manufacturers during the homologation year and result in more consistent cells being produced.
The intention to adopt this ruling has been published for more than one year. However, the BRCA are well aware that this could result in some cells already purchased being outside the new dimension limits, so the ruling has been restricted to National events for 2008. The new ruling states: -
"It is known that fast charging may result in cell
distortion. However from
Magnets: - Manufacturers are now allowed to use neodymium
magnets in all types of motors.
19T Motors: - Rule amended to state that the timing will be a designated
maximum of 24 degrees rather than fixed at 24 degrees.
Brushless motors: - During the last year, there has been much
development of the magnetic rotor in these motors. Most manufacturers have changed to using
sintered magnet rotors and there are now different size rotors available to be
used as a tuning aid. The ruling on the
magnetic rotor has been amended to allow the original rotor to be swapped,
providing the variants comply with the dimensions stated, have
been approved and are available from the manufacturer of the motor. This also means that a motor, which is
normally supplied with a bonded rotor, can now be fitted with a sintered
version.
How the (EB) works.
The (EB) committee comprises of members from each
of the Electric Sections that support (EB) procedures. This way, any proposed changes to rules are
evaluated to ensure that such changes will not have a detrimental affect on any
particular Electric Section.
To ensure that any changes or additions to the (EB) rules have wide support and understanding, the (EB) will only accept proposals from the Electric Sections and not from any single BRCA member.
The (EB) committee have regular contact with
distributors and manufacturers to research any changes to products and also to
investigate the possible impact of new technology. To this end, our contact base spreads
worldwide to gain the knowledge we require.
Currently, the (EB) controls the specifications and
homologation of Batteries and Motors, but future products may require adding to
our remit as new technology develops.
The Control of
Batteries and Motors.
This works quite simply, with homologation lists produced to inform members what Batteries and Motors are legal to use (and when) at BRCA sanctioned events.
The lists for approved motors are constantly
changing, so the BRCA website is used as the point of reference. If a particular make of
Batteries: - The approval of batteries is limited to once each
year. New batteries (cells) have to be
submitted to the (EB) by the end of Dec. latest. The (EB) then requires verification from the
manufacturer or distributor, that any new cell will be available in the
The approved list is updated each Jan., but any new
cell that has been added does not become legal for use at BRCA sanctioned
events until 1st.April following.
No new cells will be added to the list during the year. This process informs members of what new
cells are allowed before the racing season starts and ensures that any cells
purchased are not
out-dated during the racing season.
Motors: - manufacturers on a regular basis release new motors. Because of the spread of events within the various Electric Sections, it would not be practical to limit the homologation of motors to specific dates in the year.
New motors can be submitted to the (EB) for
approval at any time in the year. Before a new motor can be added to the relevant homologation list,
the (EB) check with the distributor that a significant number have been
received in the
Queries.
Any queries, that cannot
be answered by the Technical officers in the Electric Sections, relating to
specifications, rules or homologation procedures that the (EB) control should
be addressed to the (EB) Secretary.
BRCA
ELECTRIC BOARD