home crucian carp Batteries have been banned from being carried on airplanes. What to do? Is it possible or not to carry batteries on a plane? Is it possible to bring chargers on an airplane?

Batteries have been banned from being carried on airplanes. What to do? Is it possible or not to carry batteries on a plane? Is it possible to bring chargers on an airplane?

Airlines strictly control the transport of lithium-ion batteries. Whether they are allowed in checked or carry-on luggage depends on the size and capacity of the batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular type of battery, they can look like AA batteries or built-in batteries in smartphones, laptops, unicycles, hoverboards, medical devices, etc.

Lithium-ion batteries are marked with the letters Li-ion.

Airlines have special requirements for lithium-ion batteries due to the risk of spontaneous combustion or explosion in an aircraft during flight. Before your flight, please read the rules carefully.

If you are flying with ordinary household devices, such as a tablet, smartphone, external charger, then you do not need to specifically notify the airline about their carriage.

When transporting electronics with high-capacity batteries and battery-powered vehicles, you must inform the air carrier in advance.

You cannot transport non-functional or damaged batteries that have external defects on the case. Batteries with open terminals must be placed in a special protective case or each battery must be placed separately in a plastic bag. It is important to avoid touching the battery terminals during flight, as this may cause a short circuit and fire.

Battery ban on airplanes

From April 1, 2016, all airlines banned the carriage of lithium-ion batteries as cargo in the luggage compartment of aircraft, the International Civil Aviation Organization reported. Personal electronic devices with batteries are permitted on passenger flights.

Some bloggers and media outlets have raised panic that all electronic devices carried on an airplane may be banned. But the ICAO clarified that the ban only applies to commercial shipments in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft.

The ban included only cargo transportation (cargo) on passenger flights, which sometimes carry commercial cargo. This ban is related to flight safety; it is dangerous to transport commercial quantities of batteries on passenger flights due to the possibility of spontaneous combustion.

Commercial cargo planes are equipped with special containers that prevent fires, so cargo flights can and will carry batteries as they have done in the past.

The ban on transporting lithium-ion batteries as cargo in the luggage compartment of passenger aircraft is planned to be lifted by 2018 after the approval of safety standards for the transport of batteries.

The ban was introduced approximately until 2018 (when work on a new packaging standard for lithium-ion batteries is completed).

This news caused a flurry of emotions and a lot of rumors on many Internet resources, but, unfortunately, I could not find information that could be considered reliable on any site. They even broadcast this information on television, but they were wrong again. This topic was explored more fully, but not completely.

I had to figure it out myself. I tried to learn the maximum from what is available at this moment. If there are any changes, I will publish them on this page. If any travelers find any additional information, please post it in the comments to this article.

What did you manage to install?

The ban applies only to batteries containing lithium. This does not apply to other batteries. But there are more and more lithium sources due to their high specific capacity.

The ban applies to all air transportation. Both regular airlines and charters.

Passengers on all airlines from April 1, 2016 may face a serious problem. (this is not an April Fool's joke). It involves the transportation of lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries and lithium batteries. These modern power supplies are used in many electronic devices. One of the largest manufacturers is SONY.

I'm sure your electronic devices have plenty of them. These are phones, laptops, tablets and even watches. Therefore, this issue is important for all travelers.

There is an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO from the English ICAO - International Civil Aviation Organization). It is a specialized UN agency that sets international standards for civil aviation and coordinates its development to improve safety and efficiency. The organization includes 191 states, including Russia.

There is also IATA (International Air Transport Association). This is a non-governmental organization.

So, on January 1, 2016, IATA released the 54th edition of the Manual on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. In it, she focused specifically on the transportation of the above types of current sources. This document states that these types of batteries and accumulators can be transported in airplane baggage with a charge of no more than 30%. This prohibition did not apply to power sources located inside transported devices or located together with them in the same package.

For example, if you are carrying a camera with 3 batteries, then one in the camera may be fully charged, and the rest are discharged (less than 30% charge). At the same time, all additional batteries must be packaged in such a way as to prevent the possibility of shorting the contacts.

On February 22, ICAO accepts everything that was in the new edition of IATA. The best place to look is in the document itself. It’s good that there is a primary source in Russian.

only in hand luggage

for personal use

What does all of this mean?

I will translate from Russian into Russian what concerns innovations.

Note! All your gadgets can only be transported in the cabin in hand luggage. No one talks about what will happen to your phone, flashlight, or even a watch (!!!) that runs on lithium batteries if you check these items in your luggage. But I don’t recommend experimenting.

Any devices that may generate heat if accidentally switched on should not be transported without special permission.

Additional high-power batteries cannot be carried in the cabin or in luggage. It’s difficult to say how to measure the amount of lithium (2 grams or more) if it is not indicated on the power source, but the capacity of 100 W*hours is actually not that large. How is it calculated:

(Capacity W*hour) = (Capacity A-hour)*(Output voltage, V).

If the current is indicated in mA, then it should be divided by 1000. That is, 15,000 mA*hour is equal to 15 A*hour.

That is, if you have an external battery exceeding 20,000 mAh and a voltage of 5 volts, then, in theory, it will not be allowed on board in any form. For example, the Inter Step PB24000 battery is already 120 Wh and is not allowed for transportation.

In addition, all transported equipment containing lithium must be for personal use. If you are taking it for resale, the airline may not allow your luggage into the cabin.

To sum up all of the above, I believe that there is no reason for the panic that was created in the media. In practice, many travelers carried their devices only in the aircraft cabin. There are some restrictions that are easy to take into account.

This material will be updated as the situation changes.

Have a successful flight!

Head of the WelcomeWorld Free Travelers Club Yuri Fedorov

Since January 2013, the state and airlines have tightened requirements for the transportation of external batteries. According to the new rules, such devices are prohibited from being taken on board an aircraft. Restrictions are set for safety reasons. Is it so? Or are there still some exceptions?

What are lithium-ion batteries and what devices contain them?

Lithium-ion batteries are a modern type of internal battery. It is used to equip the following equipment:

telephones;
laptops;
tablets;
digital cameras and other mobile devices.

Batteries work based on the chemical reaction of their components. They hold a charge for a long time and are also easy to maintain.

Note. Carrying a lithium-ion battery in the cabin of an airplane has certain restrictions.

They are due to the fact that such batteries can spontaneously ignite and explode. Their combustion temperature reaches 600 degrees. This will not only lead to smoke in the passenger compartment. This temperature is enough to cause deformation of the aluminum fuselage.

Restrictions on the transportation of batteries were introduced for a reason. In 2013, cases of their ignition directly on board were recorded in Japan and the United States. The batteries overheated, causing them to explode. Previously, cases of fire were recorded in the cargo compartment of the aircraft.

Can I take it to the salon?

Transporting an autonomous power bank has certain limitations. This battery has been determined to be dangerous and transportation regulations must be checked with airline personnel. Carriers themselves set restrictions in this case.

According to the rules, the lithium-ion battery must be removed from the equipment. For example, a hoverboard, laptop, netbook, and so on. They take it with them into the cabin, and the devices from which it is removed are checked into luggage.

Note. If the battery is built-in, you need to inform the airline employee about this. The device in which it is installed is considered dangerous. And for him there will be different transportation rules. In some cases, passengers are prohibited from bringing devices with built-in batteries on board an aircraft.

Also, such requirements will be put forward for batteries that are packaged as separate elements. This category also includes batteries that are packaged separately, but are in the same box. These devices may ignite due to a chemical reaction with each other.

Can I take a power bank on a plane? It is possible, but there are certain limitations on its power.

One passenger can carry up to 10 pieces. spare batteries or lithium batteries. They must be in the same suitcase. All laptops and other similar gadgets must be turned off during the flight.

Important. All external batteries must be protected against short circuits.

There are rules for this too. Batteries or devices containing them must be packaged in non-conductive material. A plastic bag is perfect for this. This package can only hold one battery. It should not contain additional items made of metal or other conductive material.

Can I take a power bank on a plane? Yes, if its power does not exceed 160 Wh and its capacity does not exceed 30,000 Mah. Otherwise it will be confiscated. It must be in hand luggage and packed in accordance with established rules.

Can I check it in as luggage?

Lithium ion batteries and power banks are only allowed to be transported in hand luggage. Moreover, their number has been established, which should be in the passenger’s bag in the cabin. It is strictly prohibited to check in such devices as luggage.

The batteries must have a sticker containing the following information:

manufacturer's name;
best before date;
power;
number of pieces in the package (if more than one battery is transported).

If a passenger mistakenly places a power bank in their luggage, they will be forced to remove the device at the security checkpoint. You need to pack it in your hand luggage. If it is not marked, it will be confiscated as a dangerous item.

Advice. Rules for transporting batteries must be clarified on the airline’s website or by calling the hotline.

Are batteries dangerous during flight?

Unfortunately, cases of fires and explosions of autonomous chargers began to be recorded in 2013. In 2016, there were another 30 spontaneous combustions of these devices. Therefore, airlines impose restrictions on their transportation.

Lithium ion batteries and power banks are dangerous if they are connected to the mains power supply. During the flight, the pressure changes several times. Various chemical reactions occur in them. Some devices cannot withstand such a load and explode under the influence of the power supply network installed on board.

Important! Devices must be packaged and charging on board an aircraft is prohibited.

The exception is mobile phones and tablets. They do not have such powerful batteries as other modern gadgets.

Requirements for transporting batteries by different airlines

A large number of air carriers prohibit the transportation of self-contained batteries in hand luggage and as checked baggage. An exception to the rules is for mobility aids for disabled people.

These are the battery transportation requirements put forward by Russian airlines.

To avoid problems with the transportation of batteries and portable chargers, it is better to clarify the nuances of their transportation with the air carrier’s employees.

How to transport lithium batteries on an airplane

09.02.2017 Team website

To prevent the plane from becoming a Trojan horse, or a drone on board an aircraft

“How to transport lithium batteries on an airplane. New rules for the transportation of lithiumbatteries"

During one of my business trips, sitting comfortably in an airplane seat, I suddenly heard an announcement over the speakerphone that owners of Samsung Galaxy Note7 phones needed to contact the flight attendants. I was surprised and thought: “It’s a pity that I don’t have such a cool phone, probably the owners of these gadgets can expect bonuses or free wi-fi on the plane.” However, my neighbor dissuaded me by telling me that the batteries of these phones sometimes catch fire and even explode.

It turns out that passengers with such phones are required to hand over their devices to special boxes during the flight.

When the drone flies as a passenger.

It was 2015. It was then that international air regulations became stricter.
transportation of lithium batteries. The reason is the risk of lithium ignition due to short circuit or mechanical impact. In the cabin, a person can control his own smartphone, but in the luggage or cargo compartments it is not so easy to detect and localize a fire in a timely manner. The ban was introduced approximately until 2018, when it is planned to complete work on a new packaging standard for lithium-ion batteries.

In January 2017, I had a business trip to Samara. Our Phantom 4's lithium polymer batteries are a class of lithium-ion batteries that are subject to the new shipping regulations.

Voltage (V)–15.2

Battery capacity (mAh) – 5870 or 5.87 (Ah)

15.2 V * 5.87 A/h = 89.22 (Watt/h)

Having studied the airline's instructions on the rules for transporting batteries, to carry out our activities we took our faithful workhorse, rather Pegasus - DJI Phantom 4 Pro and seven spare batteries for it.

No one checked us when departing from Moscow. It seems that Domodedovo Airport workers are not paying much attention to this yet. However, on the way back to the amazingly beautiful, modern, comfortable airport of Samara, specially built for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the new flight safety rules are treated with great passion... And therefore, many questions arose for our company.

Before entering the airport, the airport employee began an inquisitive interrogation about what kind of batteries we were carrying and what their power was. Having made sure that we met the standards (up to 100 W/h), she nevertheless began to call her superiors. At the same time, all other passengers were asked to move to another belt. Having received the go-ahead from management, the administrator asked to take the batteries with her in hand luggage. She took the time to walk with us to the check-in counter to personally check that we had not checked the batteries into our luggage. After registering for a personal search with another operator, we again began an interesting dialogue:

- What do you have in your bag?

— Batteries

— Lithium-ion

— How many amperes/hour are they?

I objected: “Did you mean to ask how many watts/hour they are?”

She insisted, “How many amps/hour?”

I began to patiently explain that the capacity of the batteries we transported was within the permitted limits (up to 100 Wh) approved by the Transportation Rules. And this earthly air gate fairy acted according to an algorithm already known to us - she began calling someone mysterious and probably competent, with a report on the transportation of lithium-ion batteries. Then I personally checked the battery power. Not listening to our explanations that the airport security service had been notified of our cargo, she called somewhere again and only after that let us board the plane.

In February 2016 international civil aviation organization (ICAO) approved new rules transportation of lithium-ion batteries in the luggage compartments of civil aircraft, which are recommended to apply to 191 ICAO member countries, including Russia. The instructions provide different nuances depending on the type and capacity of the batteries.

Below are a few points that are particularly important, in my opinion:

Lithium-ion and lithium power sources are recognized as dangerous goods.
Lithium metal or lithium ion batteries or cells for consumer electronic devices are permitted in carry-on baggage only.
Products called external batteries are considered to be replacement batteries. The battery contacts must be insulated from each other in such a way that there is no possibility of a short circuit.
Portable electronic devices containing lithium metal, lithium ion cells or batteries, including medical devices and consumer electronics (cameras, cell phones, laptops and tablets) are permitted when carried by passengers or crew for personal use. Batteries should not exceed a lithium content of 2g for lithium metal batteries and 100 watt/hour for lithium ion batteries.
All power sources that are not located inside the transported equipment must be packaged in such a way that the possibility of shorting the contacts is excluded.

Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

What does this mean, or For those whose time is money.

In order not to bother myself once again with re-reading the 31-page document, I have identified the main thing for myself, I hope it will be useful to you:

You can check in lithium-ion batteries in your luggage! To do this, the battery must be installed on your electronic device (or integrated into it), and the battery capacity must be less than 100 Wh. When transporting lithium ion batteries, the specific power of which in watt-hours is more than 100 Wh / h, but does not exceed 160 Wh / h inside the equipment, permission from the carrier airline is required. For example, in the rules of transportation of Aeroflot and S7 airlines, permitted Specific power standards range from 100 Wh to 160 Wh. See transportation rules exactly your airline.
Spare batteries, that is, batteries not installed anywhere, cannot be carried in luggage! They must be taken with you into the cabin (carry-on baggage), and you are allowed to carry two (2) lithium-ion batteries of no more than 100 Wh each. In our case, these are batteries for the Phantom 4 Pro. These include backup batteries for laptop computers and most lithium-ion batteries for professional audio/video equipment. Most lithium-ion batteries for general use applications are less powerful.
Batteries that have a high lithium content are prohibited from being carried in the luggage compartment and may be transported as dangerous goods, in accordance with IATA rules.
When in transit, spare batteries must be separately protected in a manner that prevents short circuits (for example, by placing them in retail packaging, or wrapping tape around exposed terminals, or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective bag). If the battery does not have packaging, and the checkpoint employees think that it is needed, they will give you bags and even pack the batteries in them themselves.
It is worth noting that all other types of batteries, in particular alkaline or nickel-cadmium, can be transported by air, both in hand luggage and in checked baggage, provided they are correctly protected from short circuits.

The severity of the law is offset, however...

This is all theory, but in practice not everything is so strict. In real life, you can absolutely safely carry up to three (inclusive) batteries with a capacity of up to 160 (inclusive) Wh in your hand luggage and give the rest (two each) to your fellow travelers, preferably directly during the inspection process.

Now, when planning an airline flight, be prepared to be asked for information about the capacity and lithium content of both spare batteries and batteries that are part of the equipment.

These are not just Rules. This is, first of all, FLIGHT SAFETY. Instructions here are always written in blood. To prevent the plane from becoming, due to your carelessness, a Trojan horse carrying insidious Danaans in the form of lithium-ion and lithium current sources, devote a few minutes of your precious time to reading the requirements and basic calculations of the capacity of your equipment. This will save the life of you and the entire aircraft.

Just arithmetic.

For information : How to measure the amount of lithium (2 grams or more) if it is not indicated on the power supply is difficult to say, but the capacity of 100 V/hour is actually not so difficult. How it is calculated: (Capacity W/hour) = (Capacity A-hour)*(Output voltage, V). If the current is indicated in mA, then it should be divided by 1000. That is, 15,000 mA/hour is equal to 15 A/hour.

Let's take for example Lithium polymer battery for DJI Inspire:

Voltage (V)–22.8

Battery capacity (mAh)–5700 or 5.7 (Ah)

22.8 V * 5.7 A/h = 129.96 (Watt/h)

According to international rules, such a battery cannot be transported by civil aviation, but air carriers allow batteries up to 160 Watt/hour to be transported, so before the flight, do not be lazy and read the rules of your air carrier, otherwise the batteries may not be accepted for transportation.

Safe flights to you! 🙂

Renat Yagudin and the Photometer team

Flights in Samara minus 15C° and wind