Can You Bring a Battery Pack on a Plane?
When you have to travel, there are a whole lot of things you need to consider. Once you are done with finalizing the destination and booking flight tickets, you need to deal with the hectic packing part.
What should be taken and what should be left behind at home? Well, it’s understandable that you also need to pack your belongings as per the TSA guidelines. So, undoubtedly, you must be thinking of taking a battery pack and confused about whether it is allowed by the TSA or not.
After all, your phone needs a battery backup, and therefore, carrying a battery pack or a portable charger in your bag is a must.
Let’s go further to discover the TSA guidelines for battery packs.
TSA Rules: Can You Bring a Battery Pack on a Plane?
Battery packs are considered spare batteries only, and they are powered by Lithium batteries. So, you are allowed to pack them in a carry-on bag, but not in your checked bag. This simply means that any extra, spare, or loose batteries must be packed only in a carry-on or cabin bag.
Such rules have been put in place by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as batteries emit heat and can catch fire. If battery packs or power banks are packed in checked luggage, it could lead to a catastrophic incident.
No wonder, the TSA restrictions may also be in effect for electronic items containing lithium batteries such as a laptop packed in your carry-on bag or checked bag.
Can You Bring a Phone Battery Pack on a Plane in Hand Luggage?
Yes, you are allowed by the TSA To take a phone battery pack or a power bank in your hand luggage. Nevertheless, here is some crucial advice from the FAA for the benefit of passengers.
- You must check if the battery pack is damaged or faulty, it may produce sparks or harmful heat. If any such issue is found, you will not be able to bring it in your hand luggage. But if you believe the batteries can be removed from them and it’s safe to carry then there will be no problem.
- You are strongly recommended to speak to the customer team of your airline in order to discover such related instructions set by them.
- It is also beneficial to confirm the rules set by another country if you need to fly internationally.
- You are advised to pack the batteries properly and separately in your cabin bag so that there is no hodgepodge. All the items should look neatly packed.
- It depends on the TSA officer whether they clear an item or not. They may conduct additional verification if anything seems suspicious.
TSA Approved Battery Packs
You must be aware of the following rules based on the limit allowed for different types of batteries on a plane. Make sure to go through the same.
Battery packs with lithium batteries up to 100-watt hours
As mentioned by the FAA, if a battery pack has lithium metal and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, you need to take care of the following factors:
- Lithium per battery should not exceed 2 gm, in the case of non-rechargeable lithium metal batteries.
- There are no more than 100-watt hours per battery, in the case of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
Battery packs with lithium batteries of over 100-watt hours
You are required to abide by these rules if your power banks contain lithium batteries of more than 100-watt hours.
- It is beneficial to check with your airline whether you can take two loose, larger lithium-ion batteries with 101 to 160 Watt hours or lithium metal batteries (2 to 8 grams) in your portable chargers. You need to maintain the same limitations if you plan to bring such batteries for professional devices.
- Your battery pack can have a maximum of two larger batteries., as per a passenger. Besides, one battery can be of 101–160 watt-hours.
Can I Bring a Battery Pack on a Plane in Checked Luggage?
Battery packs or portable chargers are usually powered by lithium-ion batteries. In fact, they are considered loose, extra batteries, which are prohibited in checked luggage. They can be taken in a cabin bag.
This is so because lithium batteries are prone to catching fire and there is no guarantee of the fluctuating air pressure on a flight. A battery pack can catch fire, and hence, can lead to a disastrous situation when packed in a checked bag.
You must adhere to these restrictions to go through the TSA security checkpoint without any hassle. Thus, be careful and never pack a battery pack in your suitcase or checked baggage.
Can I Bring AA Batteries on a Plane?
Yes, you are allowed to bring non-lithium dry batteries in your carry-on and/or checked bags. Some of such batteries are nickel-cadmium, alkaline, nickel metal hydride, etc.
You can pack them in their usual sizes, which includes AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt, button cell, and more.
Can I Bring 20000mah Power Bank on Plane?
Definitely yes, you can bring a 20000mah power bank or a battery pack on your flight. Well, you must know how much is 20000mah. For this, you can multiply it by 3.7 (voltage). Then divide the result by 1000. Now milliampere-hours (mah) get converted into watt-hours (wh).
20000mah = 74wh
So, you will get 74 wh, which is absolutely ok according to the 100wh limit set by the FAA. Thus, it can be packed in your carry-on bag or checked luggage.
Nevertheless, we must also inform you that if your airline allows, you can also bring batteries from 101 to 160wh. We have already outlined these factors above.
What Happens if You Accidentally Left Battery in Checked Luggage?
Though battery packs or lithium batteries are not allowed in checked luggage, there may be a chance when you pack them in this bag. In such a case, the security officers will take them out from your bag when the bag will go for screening.
The batteries will certainly be confiscated, as they can catch fire easily. Hence, you need to be careful about the related guidelines and pack your bags accordingly.
What is the TSA Power Bank Limit?
There is one simple rule. A battery pack or a power bank you choose to bring must have a battery with no more than 100 watt-hours. The TSA has mentioned on its official website that there are no restrictions on bringing such devices with 100 to 160 watt-hours if the same has been allowed by your airline.
You can even raise further queries and get all your concerns addressed by the TSA team through a tweet. Write your query, tag the TSA’s handle @AskTSA, and send it. You may look forward to receiving a response.
Bottom Lines
So, that was a simple guide on whether can you bring a battery pack on a plane or not. Power banks or portable chargers with lithium-ion batteries must be taken in a carry-on or cabin bag. You need to pack them carefully.
Also, make sure that they are not damaged, as they can create sparks and will be removed from your bag. Be cautious of the TSA regulations and go ahead with a pleasurable air journey. Wish you a great time!
FAQs About Can I Take a Battery Pack on a Plane?
Here are some important questions related to can you bring a battery pack on a plane?
Yes, a battery pack or a power bank is allowed to be taken in carry-ons or hand luggage. They cannot be packed in checked baggage as they contain lithium-ion batteries and have the risk of catching fire.
Yes, you can take a power bank in your hand luggage on a plane. You are not permitted to pack it in checked luggage, as it contains lithium batteries, which can lead to a fire.
A battery pack or a power bank needs to be packed in a carry-on bag. The TSA does not allow passengers to pack it in their checked luggage.
This is due to the reason that lithium batteries can catch fire owing to intense heat. If such a chance takes place, it would lead to a disastrous situation.
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