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Are power banks allowed on planes? Here we have a look at how power banks work and if we are allowed to carry on planes, either in checked in luggage or hand luggage.
What devices can I charge with my power bank?
Are powerbanks allowed on planes?
How many WH does my powerbank store?
It is a fact that we are all using technology for both pleasure and work. However, sometimes the battery life of the device is not enough, and we may find ourselves in situations where wall plug in charging is not readily available. The handiest solution is to be always prepared and have a fully charged power bank at the ready.
A power bank, in basic terms, is a battery that supplies power to your device in order to restore its charge. Power banks come in several colours and shapes and are available with various capacities. The capacity of a power bank is measured in mAh (milliamp hours) which is a unit of measurement used specifically for batteries. A battery that has a higher mAh will have more power and battery life.
How do power banks work?
Power banks work by transferring power through a USB port, via a built-in Lithium-ion batteries, and can charge up multiple devices. Power banks are compatible with any device that can be plugged into a USB port.
More advanced models are fitted with QI technology and can charge wirelessly.
Power banks receive their charging power through a dedicated input socket. The fastest charging route is when it is plugged into a socket on the wall. It can also be charged by inserting the cable into the USB port of your home computer or laptop. Some TVs also have USB ports which you can connect your cable to and charge your power bank.
What devices can I charge with my power bank?
Power banks can charge phones, PCs (with USB Type-C ports), tablets, speakers, earphones, wristbands, watches, and other electronic devices. The charging specifications and whether your power bank is fast at recharging your device will depend on the powerbank you choose and its power output.
Are powerbanks allowed on planes?
Airlines do not allow power banks in the cargo luggage as they are a safety concern. Power banks are essentially batteries that utilise lithium cells. Lithium batteries can combust on occasion, and are therefore not allowed for cargo transport, as part of air-transport regulations.
An IATA (International Air Transport Association) document, for the ”Transport of Lithium Metal and Lithium Ion Batteries Revised for the 2017 Regulations”, states the following about carrying power banks:
”(Power banks) are portable devices designed to be able to charge consumer devices such as mobile phones and tablets. For the purposes of this guidance document and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, power banks are to be classified as batteries and must be assigned to UN 3480, lithium ion batteries, or UN 3090, lithium metal batteries, as applicable. For carriage by passengers, power banks are considered spare batteries and must be individually protected from short-circuit and carried in carry-on baggage only.”
How Many WH (Watt Hours) does my powerbank store?
In addition to the above, there is also a restriction on the WH (Watt Hours) that the power bank can store. The rules are as follows:
If the rated power is less than 100Wh, power banks can be carried without approval; if you would like to carry power banks with the power between 100Wh and 160Wh, you will need approval of air carrier. However, each passenger carry no more than two power banks.
So, does that mean I can bring my 10000 mAh in my hand luggage? Here is the formula to calculate if your power bank is within the stated limit:
Milliamp Hours x Voltage/1000 = Watt Hours
(MAH) X (V) /1000 = (WH)
Normally powerbanks output voltage is 5V, therefore you are safe with your 10,000mAh battery:
10000 (mAh) X 5 (V) /1000=50 WH
Maybe, make sure that the mAh is clearly visible on the powerbank to avoid misunderstandings.
10000 MAH WIRELESS POWER BANK WITH MICRO USB CABLE-BLACK/WHITE – TGH Smart