Can I Take My Power Bank or Portable Charger in My Carry-On?
I had a reliable battery pack that I’ve used for years. I passed it on to my sister for use and it was recently confiscated by airport security in China. The reason? The power bank doesn’t have any marking “stating the power bank capacity”. I had no idea it was a requirement.
What Are The Rules for Power Banks?
You should always check with your airline for the most up-to-date information. Power bank generally falls under the “batteries” category. I included the basics for some of the major airlines below. (Note: Items in bold are mine)
“Portable electronic devices containing cells or batteries (including lithium) and spares for these devices intended for personal use: Watch|Calculator|Camera|Cell Phone|Laptop computer|Notebook computer|Camcorder.
For lithium-ion batteries, a maximum of 2, not exceeding 160 Wh each, are allowed in carry-on bag with airline approval.”
United Airlines
“Personal devices (except for e-cigarettes and personal vaporizers) installed with a lithium battery of less than 100 watt hours are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage. Loose lithium batteries are not permitted in checked baggage on any United flight.”
Also, “If carry-on baggage is checked at the gate, any lithium batteries and power banks must be removed.”
Note: I take the information to mean that power banks are considered loose lithium batteries, and should not be included in checked bags.
Delta
“…consumer electronic and medical devices containing lithium cells or batteries (e.g. watches, calculators, cameras, cell phones, laptops, camcorders, hearing aids, etc.) is allowed onboard as carry-on. Spare lithium batteries are allowed as carry-on only.
Passengers are permitted to travel with lithium ion batteries that contain a maximum of 160 watt hours per battery. Lithium ion batteries installed in a personal electronic device can be transported as checked or carry on baggage.
Lithium ion batteries not installed in a device (spares) must be in carry-on baggage and no more than two (2) spares between 100 and 160 watt hours are allowed.”
Can You Bring Portable Chargers On the Plane? (TSA and FAA)
- By Suranga Jay
- 11 months Ago
Are you about to start your journey and wonder, Can you bring your portable charger on a plane? Well, keep reading. This article is tailor-made for you.
About flying, there has recently been a great deal of doubt. A carry-on bag is no longer permitted to include specific items; they must now get inspected. Nowadays, several nations prohibit using devices such as tablets or notebooks while traveling to the USA or the UK.
There are well-known locations like Turkey included in this. You won’t be able to use your computers to work during these lengthy flights; thus, this is the scenario. The use of mobile devices gets nonetheless permitted for passengers. Do you have good battery life for protracted travel on your electronics?
Do you never truly get a full charge out of your smartphone? Then, can you bring your portable charger on a plane? This guide will discuss the specifics of packing a portable charger on the plane.
Quick Summary: The response to whether a portable charger gets authorized on a flight is affirmative. But it can be unsafe for the airline to have extra-large portable chargers or several tiny ones with you. And most importantly, if the charges get located in the cargo compartment, where explosions are more challenging to control.
Read more about carrying external smartphone chargers on the plane.
It’s usually helpful to have additional battery life for your smartphone, particularly when traveling in a new place or region. But, you must verify the specifications beforehand because not all power banks or spare batteries will travel if you intend to carry them on the airline. Let’s look at can you bring your portable charger on a plane.
Can You Bring Your Portable Charger On A Plane?
It is challenging to distinguish what is permitted and what isn’t because the TSA has prohibited or limited several common goods. Yes, you are allowed to carry external chargers on the plane. However, there are restrictions on their storage requirements and their power.
TSA and FAA Regulations
The TSA and the FAA regulate products like external chargers and some other batteries. Only that gets decided upon for allowance to get transported on aircraft. They adhere to the following values:
Maximum Capacity
Which external charger sizes are allowed on airplanes? According to the FAA’s particular regulations, any additional batteries you carry on a plane should not exceed 100Wh. The most powerful external battery that may get brought on an aircraft, along with the exterior charger and capacity backup, is 100Wh.
Batteries with powers of 101 to 160 WH should also have preapproval from the airline. In comparison, batteries with more than 160 WH capabilities aren’t permitted to be transported on a plane.
Maximum Amount
The TSA or FAA sets no definite restrictions on the number of extra batteries less than 100Wh you are allowed to transport. But, they insist that all batteries should get kept for private usage only. They also do not allow the air transportation of extra batteries for eventual sale.
Storage
Portable chargers are permitted in carry-on luggage but aren’t allowed in checked baggage according to TSA rules. Portable chargers are incredibly harmful and can include explosives, burning risks, and the ability to detonate while in flight, which is why this restriction is in place.
Since safety devices are available there, crew personnel can snuff out flames in the cabin much more quickly than in the luggage compartment.
Suppose you put an extra power supply in your checked luggage. In that scenario, you can get prompted to take it out afterward, or even terrible. Airport personnel might capture and destroy it. Don’t forget to pack yours in your carry-on if you don’t wish anything like this to occur. Portable chargers must get stored to protect them from any short circuits. It is helpful to put extra chargers in retail packaging.
It is necessary to wrap back the connections if the battery pack is absent. Then a portable cover, plastic wrap, or other protecting bag gets put over the battery pack. Ensure they can’t get unintentionally turned on. Some travelers were uncertain whether the gadgets’ backup batteries were lithium-ion batteries. They should thus get properly transferred and preserved.
Power Output Indicator
Remember that portable chargers should indicate power capacity in adherence to safety laws, even if it gets often mentioned in airlines’ official guidelines. If your battery charger doesn’t explicitly display the power supply on the charging body, having the genuine package box along might be handy.
If the power produced is not indicated, authorities at the airport might seize it. Then, before passing through screening, you should surrender your reserve supply if you wish to board the aircraft. You must confirm your plane’s portable charger capacity and the rules of a specific carrier and airport. You could avoid many headaches at the airport with a brief cellphone call or email.
Checking the External Battery
Know you know can you bring your portable charger on a plane. But also know there have been incidents where portable chargers set fire to aircraft compartments. If they get kept among other combustible materials in the checking luggage section, terrible things may have occurred. Chemical events and electricity mishaps could happen anytime, anywhere, regardless of how secure the battery pack is.
These could result in an explosion or catastrophe on aircraft. To prevent severe devastation for safety precautions and to guarantee that all travelers would land securely and on schedule as planned. In this situation, strict limits on having extra batteries on planes are vital.
Power Banks and Their Safety Features
Leaving batteries to charge overnight has long been recognised to be risky, and in some situations, it still is. However, it’s also crucial to keep in mind that battery charging has gotten simpler as a result of technological advancements.
The vast majority of power banks come with built-in overcharging prevention. Thanks to this technology, the power bank will automatically turn off and begin trickle charging once it reaches 100%.
The battery will begin trickle charging if its charge level lowers by a few percentage points. Doing this ensures that the power bank is always fully charged and ready for use.
Is It Possible for Power Banks to Charge Overnight?
The simple answer is yes. Thanks to technological improvements, power banks can now be charged overnight by being connected to a USB connection or a wall outlet. Thanks to the built-in safety, you won’t have to worry about overcharging or undercharging the power bank.
There are a few significant risks to be aware of if you have made the decision to charge your power bank overnight. The last thing you want is for your power bank to become overheated, enlarged, or even burned.
Excessive Heat
It’s vital to remember that your power bank will get heated when charged or while being charged alongside other devices. So, it shouldn’t be very warm to the touch, as this could indicate it is about to overheat.
It’s best to unplug your power bank, let it cool, and then plug it back in for no more than one to two hours if you feel that it’s getting too warm for you to handle.
Inconsistent Charging
Inconsistent charging is typically a symptom that the power bank’s lithium-ion battery is malfunctioning, but it could also be a mechanical issue.
It’s time to get a new power bank if your old one isn’t properly charging your devices. Mechanical problems can result in shortages, which can cause fires or batteries to explode.
Swelling or Expansion
Your power bank’s lithium-ion battery will expand if it malfunctions or becomes very heated. The most obvious indication that it’s time to replace your power bank with a higher-quality model is swelling. Your battery is like a balloon; the more it expands, the more likely it is to blow up.
Conclusion
The short answer to the question of whether power banks can be charged overnight is Yes. You must check that your power bank contains safety features, though.
You can be sure that your power bank won’t overcharge under your nose if it has an auto-cutoff feature. Additionally, it is crucial for this feature to prevent overcharging or undercharging the battery inside your smartphone or tablet.
You can prevent battery damage when charging overnight by paying close attention to potential risks and spending more on a better power bank.
If you are looking for the best fast-charging power banks online. look no further than our amazing selections here at Chargeasap. We are a consumer electronics startup from Sydney and have been creating highly innovative mobile phone accessories since 2016. Check out our online shop for more of our power bank collections and their prices.
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Are Larger Power Banks Allowed?
If you do happen to have a bigger power bank, there’s still a good chance you can bring it with you. Batteries that are rated from 100.1 – 160 Wh just require airline approval to be brought on board a plane.
There isn’t really an established procedure for flying with these batteries, so you probably won’t see it as a luggage option, but calling your airline and asking a representative will get you the answer you need.
Note: 160 Wh is roughly equal to 44,000 mAh at 3.6 volts.
Anything bigger than 160 Wh could cause you some problems, as it has to follow the guidelines for dangerous cargo. Luckily, it’s pretty difficult to find a power bank over that limit, and if you have one, you would probably know it.
Bringing Multiple Power Banks
While you can’t bring a single power bank over 100Wh on a plane without getting permission, you can bring more than one power bank that adds up to or exceeds that number. Once again, how many power banks you are allowed to bring with you will depend on the specific airline and its rules. If you are traveling with someone who doesn’t have a power bank, you could also have them hold your additional bank for the flight.
If you just need a quick reference, here’s a flowchart to help you check whether your power bank will be allowed on board:
How Dangerous Are Portable Chargers on Planes?
If you accidentally took an oversized battery on a flight or left one in your checked luggage, it isn’t likely to cause a catastrophe, but there is a non-zero chance of disaster. A quick search for “exploding battery on plane” will bring up plenty of cases, though generally these fires have been quickly extinguished.
The only confirmed battery-related disaster was a UPS plane in 2010 that crashed at Dubai International Airport after a fire caused by a cargo of lithium batteries. This crash is a major reason that restrictions on passengers carrying lithium batteries exist, and UPS now carries this kind of cargo in special fiberglass containers.
There is even an (unsubstantiated) hypothesis that a cargo of lithium-ion batteries was responsible for the disappearance of MH370 in 2014. While there’s not much to worry about for the average passenger, you may as well do your part to ensure that your plane makes it safely to its destination.
Safe travel with electronics
It’s worth noting at the outset that regulations related to the electronics in your luggage can be really different. Always familiarize yourself with the applicable rules before traveling. They are defined by both airlines and national regulations. Differences can include the maximum capacity of lithium-ion batteries, rules for carrying power banks, or requirements for protecting electronic devices from accidental activation. By familiarizing yourself with specific guidelines, you will avoid unpleasant surprises.
Batteries on a plane: what the restrictions are due to
The main reason for the restrictive restrictions is the risk of causing a fire. Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries, which are used in most electronic devices, are sensitive to mechanical damage, vibration, and high temperatures. They can evaporate or leak, increasing the risk of ignition.
In addition, electronic devices can also interfere with an aircraft’s onboard systems (navigation or communications). Some electronic devices (e.g., drones) can also pose a safety risk to the flights themselves.
Checked baggage VS. carry-on baggage
Most of the electronic devices we most often travel with should be packed in carry-on baggage. However, there are a few exceptions, which often include drones, hoverboards, or electric scooters, among others. Remember that you should always verify what you are allowed to take on board an airline. Unfortunately, there are no top-down rules that unify these practices around the world.
These are the recommendations of a few airlines we selected. As you can see for yourself, despite the differences in the capacity of power banks, batteries, and rechargeable batteries, in each case they must be in carry-on luggage.
- British Airways — power bank must be carried in hand luggage. Maximum capacity: 160 Wh or 40000 mAh.
- EasyJet — power bank must be carried in carry-on luggage. Maximum capacity: 100 Wh or 27000 mAh.
- Emirates — spare or extra batteries (including lithium and lithium-ion batteries) can only be carried in carry-on luggage. Items that mainly serve as an energy source (e.g. power banks), are considered spare batteries. There is a limit of 20 spare batteries per passenger.
- KLM — is allowed to carry a maximum of 15 electronic devices with a lithium battery of up to 100 Wh. Devices with a lithium battery up to 160 Wh require a permit application. Prohibited to pack electronic cigarettes in checked baggage.
- LOT — power bank must be carried in carry-on baggage. Maximum capacity: 100 Wh or 27,000 mAh. If the capacity of the power bank exceeds 100 Wh, the passenger must obtain approval from the airline before departure.
- Lufthansa — power bank must be carried in carry-on baggage. Maximum capacity: 100 Wh or 20000 mAh.
- Ryanair — power bank must be carried in carry-on baggage. Maximum capacity: 100 Wh or 27000 mAh.
- Wizz Air — batteries and rechargeable batteries are not allowed in checked baggage. Lithium-ion batteries must not have a capacity greater than 100 Wh. Lithium-ion batteries with a capacity greater than 100 Wh, but not exceeding 160 Wh, may be carried with approval from Wizz Air. Once such baggage is approved, one person may carry a maximum of 2 individually secured spare batteries with a capacity of 100 to 160 Wh.
The above summary is the best proof that the regulations related to a seemingly innocent device can be very different. Here are the general rules you should follow if you don’t have the opportunity to verify the guidelines before you fly.
- Power banks should be carried in carry-on luggage, not checked baggage.
- Power banks should have a capacity of no more than 100 watt-hours or 20000 milliamp hours. Above these values, airlines may require carrier approval or impose restrictions.
- Power banks should be packed in a way that protects them from damage and prevents accidental activation. It is advisable to store power banks in their original packaging or cases.
- Before boarding, disconnect all USB cables from the power bank and make sure it is turned off.
- Before boarding, make sure that the power bank does not accidentally start up during the flight.
Watch out for these devices!
Power banks are not the only devices that are not recommended to pack in checked baggage. What’s more, you also won’t take some of them on board in… carry-on backpack. Then it will be necessary to send the equipment via cargo shipment. Once again, we emphasize – if you have any doubts, consult the guidelines of the airline you are traveling with or the laws in your country. Here are some devices that require special attention:
- Lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of more than 100 Wh (for batteries in electronic devices such as laptops or cameras, they usually do not exceed this value).
- Lithium or lithium-polymer batteries contain more than 2 grams of lithium per battery.
- Devices with batteries, such as hoverboards, electric scooters, etc.
- E-cigarettes, and all related products such as e-liquids and refills.
- Power banks that exceed the previously mentioned capacities.
Some airlines may have stricter regulations for carrying electronic devices. If you are the lucky owner of a drone, be sure to make sure you can take it on the plane! In some countries and on some airlines, these devices can be taken on board a plane as carry-on or checked baggage, while in others they are completely prohibited.
Carrying batteries and rechargeable batteries on the plane
Finally, here are some good practices related to the transportation of electronics. These will help you avoid both confrontations with airport staff and surprises about baggage damage. Electronic devices are not allowed during takeoff and landing, as well as when flying through certain air zones. So it’s worth making sure your equipment is turned off before you travel. If you’re carrying batteries or rechargeables “in bulk,” place them in separate pouches or covers. This will minimize the risk of the electrodes coming into contact with each other. Finger batteries are best transported in their original packaging.
Dangerous and prohibited items on a plane
As you may have guessed, power banks, rechargeable batteries, batteries and selected electronic equipment are not the only items you should be cautious about when preparing to travel. Many people do not know that it is forbidden to go through the security check with… water. This often causes passengers’ bewilderment and when confronted with other prohibited items (including flammables, sharp objects, lighters, knives or drugs) actually sounds surprising. Regulations do not allow you to bring more than 100 ml of liquids in a single bottle onto the plane.
Or have you encountered an unusual adventure involving carrying batteries, rechargeable batteries, or electronic equipment on a plane? Let us know on or Instagram. We’ll be happy to update our article with new knowledge!