New security rules for batteries on planes
If you don't want to lose your spare lithium batteries for your camera, notebook or cell phone, you might want to pack carefully for your next flight.
New rules from the Transportation and Security Administration that take effect on January 1 ban travelers from carrying loose lithium batteries in checked baggage. Passengers are allowed to pack two spare batteries in their carry-on bag, as long as they're in clear plastic baggies.
Fortunately, you don't have to worry about the batteries that are already installed in the devices you're bringing. The TSA has said it's safe to check in items like a laptop or iPhone that already have the batteries in place.
The agency said that loose lithium batteries not installed in devices pose a fire risk to passenger planes. Recently, the National Transportation Safety Board could not rule out the possibility that lithium batteries started a fire in a plane at the Philadelphia National Airport last year, according to the Associated Press.
If you do plan on bringing spare batteries in your carry-on bag, be aware of some other rules: You can only bring batteries with an equivalent of up to 8 grams of lithium content. (Most batteries for cell phones and laptops meet this requirement.) And for lithium metal batteries, whether carried as a spare or installed in a device, batteries are limited to 2 grams of lithium metal.
Desiree Everts is an associate editor at CNET News who has focused on the digital media and telecommunications industries. E-mail Desiree. 
rule out the possibility that lithium batteries started a fire in a
plane at the Philadelphia National Airport last year [http://...|http://...]"
What??? So, with this logic, anything that can create a fire is a
security risk. Do you know how many things can actually be
used to create fires? A magnifying glass, certain types of stones,
even little pieces of wood (you know, like the ones they give you
in restaurants, what are they called? Toothpicks?). Or, HOW
ABOUT THE BOXES OF MATCHES THEY LET PEOPLE TRAVEL WITH
INSIDE THE PLANE!
But no, even though fire is a security risk, the easiest method of
producing one (matches) is not taking out of the equation and
instead blamed on something else (batteries) because "it's
possible"... F***ing brilliant thinking on NTS part.
So now I can't work during the fight because my onboard
battery runs out too quickly with all the programs I'm dealing
with at once. Oh no, wait, it's alright, if I put the battery inside a
plastic bag it's fine! What? What kind of twisted game are they
playing here? "The battery is dangerous! It may kill us all! Ah, but
through a thin layer of plastic, everything will be fine." Stupid
scare tactics. How pathetic!
Lithium is a bit too volitile when shorted or current draw is too high (i.e. almost a short). So this information is quite expected for people who are paying attention.
By the way, Secure Flight begins 02-19-08. I feel safer already.
The NTSB has had these restrictions on the shipment of lithium batteries for in place several years. I just don't agree with extending the rules to passenger aircraft.
The major problem with lithium ion batteries is the fact that once they catch fire they CANNOT be extinguished. Current lithium ion batteries contain organic solvents (a fuel) AND an oxidizer (cobalt oxide). When the interior of the battery reaches about 175C the cobalt oxide cathode breaks down and liberates free oxygen which then reacts with the organic solvents (think of mixing kerosene and liquid oxygen as in rockets). Once the reaction starts it generates more heat which releases more oxygen which generates more heat and so on.
Primary lithium batteries have a similar problem except they use lithium metal and manganese dioxide. Which under the right circumstances can create a fire that cannot be extinguished. I have seen a battery of the same type used in cameras explode and blow the door (2'x2') off an environmental chamber.
Since the fuel and oxygen are in such close proximity, the only way to stop the fire is to rapidly reduce the temperature (think liquid nitrogen). CO2 extinguishers are useless since the lithium will burn in the CO2 by stripping the oxygen away from the CO2 molecule.
Again, I don't agree with the NTSB decision to extend the restriction to passenger aircraft but I have seen first hand the dangers lithium batteries pose.
Also, before anyone else wonders, the reason why a battery which is plugged in is ok is because when it's plugged in it's grounded. This mitigates the chance of an explosion. a battery not plugged in does not have a ground connection and therefore a greater risk (This is fact).
http://www.macrumors.com/2007/03/12/macbook-battery-fire/
"Last summer, multiple PC vendors (including Apple) issued massive battery recalls due to defective Sony-made batteries. The recalls prompted Apple, Dell, and Lenovo to hold a summit to develop Li-Ion battery standards."
It was only a matter of time given past problems with Lithium batteries, we've been dealing in my company for years with the restrictions on sending them by air freight.
started, as something like a battery lighting up or a lighter
lighting up. And second, if it would be a battery lighting up,
was it because of an accident like the wires hanging out or
because of faulty design? If it was because of wires, well, what
can you do? It was an accident. If it was because of faulty
design, the companies would arrange for a recall, LIKE THEY
ALWAYS DO!
Believe me, I've contacted the FAA quite a bit, but it's always the
same answer: "those are the rules, suck on it".
Lets fly straight here: why is lighter fluid still permitted in the
plane if a fire is such a big concern that now even batteries are
being restricted? And issuing such concern on one of the busiest
times of the year? They're scaring you out of your mind and
trying to take away your liberties in the process, period.
lololllllolollolol
The TSA keeps on passing these RIDICULOUS rules that no one is going to pay any attention to and that is just going to be overturned the first time someone challenges them..... the TSA is just a WASTE OF MONEY and should be shut down or severely pruned.
Once in a while, the short is serious enough that material catches fire. It then proceeds to melt through your authorized baggie and catch your clothing and other flammables in your luggage on fire.
If you then proceed to read the NTSB research that resulted in this ruling, in the case of carry-on luggage, it gets noticed by passengers and the aircraft personnel try to put the burning luggage out with a fire extinguisher or if they are on the ground, simply toss it out the door to let it burn on the tarmac.
In the case of a cargo hold fire, it spreads to adjacent material until the cargo fire suppression activates and attempts to put it out.
We all know the worst case scenario on this type of fire, it's already happened several times.
It has the added benefit that it eliminates the person who thought these rules were unnecessary along with a couple hundred other people whose survivors then sue the airline and demand that laws and regulations be enforced for their protection.
The NTSB has had these restrictions on the shipment of lithium batteries for in place several years. I just don't agree with extending the rules to passenger aircraft.
The major problem with lithium ion batteries is the fact that once they catch fire they CANNOT be extinguished. Current lithium ion batteries contain organic solvents (a fuel) AND an oxidizer (cobalt oxide). When the interior of the battery reaches about 175C the cobalt oxide cathode breaks down and liberates free oxygen which then reacts with the organic solvents (think of mixing kerosene and liquid oxygen as in rockets). Once the reaction starts it generates more heat which releases more oxygen which generates more heat and so on.
Primary lithium batteries have a similar problem except they use lithium metal and manganese dioxide. Which under the right circumstances can create a fire that cannot be extinguished. I have seen a battery of the same type used in cameras explode and blow the door (2'x2') off an environmental chamber.
Since the fuel and oxygen are in such close proximity, the only way to stop the fire is to rapidly reduce the temperature (think liquid nitrogen). CO2 extinguishers are useless since the lithium will burn in the CO2 by stripping the oxygen away from the CO2 molecule.
Again, I don't agree with the NTSB decision to extend the restriction to passenger aircraft but I have seen first hand the dangers lithium batteries pose.
not seen which batteries are in common use that are over 2
grams of lithium. My concern was about implications for
traveling with Lithium ion batteries. Most consumer electronics
batteries that use lithium are Li-ion technology. Here is my
interpretation, as long as they are in carry on luggage, there is
no limit on the number of Li-ion batteries with lithium equivalence under 8 grams (this includes all internal laptop
batteries that I know of). You can only carry two spare Li-ion
batteries which fall between 8 and 25 grams.
Here is the direct quote from the DOT web site:
"You can also bring up to two spare batteries with an aggregate
equivalent lithium content of up to 25 grams, in addition to any
batteries that fall below the 8-gram threshold. Examples of two
types of lithium ion batteries with equivalent lithium content
over 8 grams but below 25 are shown below."
NOTE THIS PHRASE--- "IN ADDITION TO ANY BATTERIES THAT
FALL BELOW THE 8-GRAM THRESHOLD".
Visit here for the real story, though less than clearly written:
http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html
Of course, the real proof of this will be in how it is enforced by
the TSA.
Lockerby was built inside of a portable radio. So if it is just a
container that the terrorists needed then anything would do.
I think the restriction has more to do with the batteries having both
the fuel and oxygen needed for combustion, all that is needed is a
"spark". A battery case would probably be safer because it is
designed to keep the batteries from shorting out.
Watching the paranoia fruits running around going "batteries are now a danger to your flights" is just funny. Truth is, anything can be dangerous if used a certain way.
complete retard was elected president in 2000. Retarded, rabid
and paranoid, where else could he lead the country but into the
same nightmare of idiocy, aggression and dementia he's lived in all
his life.
- Can any one help me understanding?
- by msuker January 11, 2008 12:08 PM PST
- I recently bought an external(universal) battery, Tekkeon MyPower 3450, because my laptop battery cannot stand more than an hour. How can I check how much Litheum does it contain?
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