Travelling safely with batteries

With the holiday season upon us, Mandy Latimore takes a look at the best ways to travel safely with batteries and portable power packs

As we get ready for our December holiday season, South Africa is released off the red list of other countries, and flight travel is once again an option, I decided to look into the rules and regulations on how to travel with the various devices that require batteries.

We use batteries to charge most of our portable electronic devices (PEDs) as well as our motorised mobility devices. However, batteries can have serious safety consequences if they’re not carried correctly when you’re flying.

The batteries that power your phone, laptop and camera are usually under the 100 watt-hour (Wh) rating. Lithium Ion batteries, which have a 100 to 160Wh rating, are more powerful. These can be found in some mobility aids.

When flying, there is a limit of two spare batteries per person. The batteries must only be packed in carry-on luggage and should have their terminals individually protected to minimise the risk of contact with other metal objects in your luggage.

Lithium Ion batteries with a 160Wh rating and above can only be carried if they are for wheelchairs and other mobility aids. These batteries must be transported and declared as dangerous goods cargo. Thus, you need to contact your airline for guidance before travelling.

Some manufacturers will supply these devices with certificates of compliance for air travel. A copy of this certificate should be included in your document or travel wallet so that it may be presented at the necessary times.

PEDs, including iPads, laptops and Kindles, must not be plugged into the in-flight power when not in use. In other words, you can’t simply charge the devices while onboard.

Other commercially available batteries, such as Ni-Cad, (Nickel Cadmium) and alkaline, can be carried safely in either checked or carry- on baggage provided that they are adequately protected against a short circuit.

The older “wet-cell” batteries need a lead-lined travel box, but the latest “dry-cell” batteries just need to be disconnected and protected against a short circuit.

Damaged Lithium batteries can be dangerous whether they’re dropped, smashed, overheated or mistreated in other ways. Lithium batteries can become unstable and have been known to ignite fires due to mistreatment.

Batteries will show clear signs of being unhealthy. These include:

• Bulging;
• Discolouration;
• Squashed or deformed;
• Spilt case; and
• Leaking fluid.

If your battery shows any of these signs, it should be replaced. It’s also a good idea not to travel with your batteries fully charged. A charge level of 40 to 70 percent will keep the particles that store energy in their most stable state during travel, minimising the risk of thermal runaway.

Batteries don’t last forever and it’s important to monitor them. Continual discharges, overcharges and quick charges will eventually reduce the battery’s overall capacity and health. Here are some tips to assist you when travelling:

• For Lithium Batteries of 160Wh and above, you must have approval from your airline before flying. If the battery is installed in a device, it can be carried in either checked or carry-on baggage.
• If the battery is by itself and not contained in equipment, it must be in your carry-on baggage only.
• Spare batteries, regardless of their size, are not to be carried in checked luggage.
• Never carry damaged batteries or equipment on an aircraft.
• All battery-powered equipment and devices must be packed in a way that prevents inadvertent activation. Spare batteries should be in the manufactures packaging where possible. If not, you must protect it from short circuiting or damaging. You can protect the battery from a short circuit by placing electrical tape over the terminals or by placing it in a protective case or strong plastic bag.

So, when travelling you need to know what batteries are in your PEDs and be prepared with the correct packaging and certificates of compliance so that passing through the airports can be as hassle-free as possible. Gathering as much information as possible before starting your trip helps prevent hassles and delays along the way. Happy travels!

Mandy Latimore is a consultant in the disability sector in the fields of travel and access. email: mandy@noveltravel.co.za