It’s common for most people to use electronic devices during their travel either as a form of enjoyment or work related. Air travel rules related to traveling with electronics permit devices such as laptop, mobile phone, multimedia player, etc. However, due to the widespread use of these high technology gadgets, the Department of Transportation (DOT) does not allow loose lithium batteries to be placed in checked baggage since they are considered as fire hazards. This ruling took effect last January 1, 2008 which modified air travel rules related to traveling with electronics. The electronic equipment and batteries should be placed in the carry-on baggage to easily alert flight crew in case a fire occurs.

Air Travel Rules- Batteries in Electronic Devices

Air travel rules related to traveling with electronics are not strict about electronic devices but they are more concerned on the batteries that come along with it. Batteries if not properly handled are often described as fire hazards. 

Air travel rules related to traveling with electronics suggest that batteries should be bought only from reputable suppliers to avoid compromising everyone’s safety. As a basic guide, high quality batteries were independently tested by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) or the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) thus batteries should bear their respective markings to indicate that the batteries passed all quality control tests.

Air travel rules related to traveling with electronics have the following general recommendations when bringing a battery with you:
1. Avoid carrying damaged or recalled batteries by checking with the manufacturer’s website;

2. Only rechargeable batteries should be charged using compatible chargers. Be sure that what you previously charged and include in your possession are rechargeable batteries;

3. Insulate battery terminals if original packing is no longer available;

4. Batteries must be prevented from puncturing and crushing by placing them in their protective case; and,

5. Put a tape on the switch of battery-operated devices like cordless power tools, in “off” position to avoid accidentally switching it to “On” and discharge them in the process.

Air travel rules related to traveling with electronics containing lithium-ion and lithium batteries are no longer allowed in large quantities as part of the cargo of passenger aircraft due to their fire hazardous characteristics. This was based on the extensive researches made by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

FAA studies also revealed that an explosion is not likely to happen even if lithium-on or primary lithium batteries are shorted. However, both batteries are extremely flammable. Moreover, fire extinguishers typically carried on commercial plane can only extinguish fire caused by lithium-ion batteries but not lithium batteries. Thus, air travel rules related to traveling with electronics are under the watchful eye of trained security officers for possible explosive threats that will be brought by lithium batteries.

Air Travel Rules – Laptops

Air travel rules related to traveling with electronics specifically recommend that laptops should be placed in “checkpoint friendly” laptop bags. The “checkpoint friendly” laptop bag allows the Security Officers to easily see from the X-ray machine any tampering made on the laptop. However, you can still bring along your laptop even if it is not placed in a “checkpoint friendly” laptop bag but subject to intensive inspection.

Air travel rules related to traveling with electronics further recommend that laptop placed in “checkpoint friendly” laptop bag should be positioned flat on the X-ray belt intended for laptop-only section. The bag has no other compartment while the top and underneath portion has no zippers or metal snaps and can give a clear image of the laptop when screened in the X-ray machine.

Air travel rules related to traveling with electronics specially laptops, maintain that there is no specific manufacturer or bag design that will earn the endorsement or approval of airport authorities, other than its basic requirement. As long as the bag can present a clear image when subjected to the X-ray machine, it will serve the security officers’ purposes. On the other hand, if the laptop bag reflects a distinct image, the laptop will be screened separately under air travel rules, traveling with electronics.   

For more useful information, please visit our website: THE KNOWLEDGE BASE, and look for TRAVEL section

Lecture Series on Basic Electronics by Prof. TSNatarajan, Department of physics, IIT Madras For more Courses visit nptel.iitm.ac.in

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