Which electronic devices can be carried in checked baggage during air travel

Flying with multiple electronic devices is commonplace these days, and the larger your family, the more you need to consider. A major factor in determining what is safe to check in your luggage is the most common battery technology available today: Lithium-ion (Li-ion).

There are many reasons why packing any lithium-ion battery in checked baggage can be dangerous, including the risk of fire and thermal leakage, which can lead to an explosion. These situations can be caused by sudden changes in pressure or temperature, as well as a puncture or if something causes an electrical short in the battery," writes KTAR News.

Check your devices

Not only are there increased risks in the cargo hold, but they are also not easy to deal with if something happens during the flight. Old or faulty batteries pose a risk whether you check your device or bring it with you, so if you have a known battery issue, such as excessive heat or visible bulging, don't take it on a flight until you have it serviced.

FAA restrictions

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration regulations allow devices with lithium batteries to be transported in checked baggage as long as they are turned off and cannot be accidentally turned on. This means that the device must be completely turned off and not in sleep mode.

This applies to popular devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches, baby monitors, webcams, action cameras, e-readers, portable music players, fitness trackers, and battery-powered toothbrushes if they are completely turned off.

Spare batteries and battery packs

All spare batteries or external battery packs must be carried in hand luggage only and stored in a manner that prevents accidental short circuits. This also applies to AA, AAA, C and D lithium-ion batteries, as well as e-cigarettes and personal vaporizers.

Keeping spare batteries in your bag with coins, pins, or metal pens can be dangerous, so be sure to put them in a protective bag or wrap electrical tape around the contacts.

Make sure that you disconnect all cables from external batteries or power banks to prevent an accidental short circuit of a connected cable due to an unexpected impact.

If you are traveling with luggage that has a power bank installed, remember to remove it before checking your luggage.

FAA regulations limit batteries in carry-on luggage to 100 watt-hours (Wh) per battery, with a total limit of 160 Wh per passenger. If your device or battery does not have a Watt-hour capacity label, you can calculate it by multiplying the battery voltage (V) by its ampere-hour (Ah) capacity: (V) x (Ah) = (Watt-hour).

If your device has a milliampere-hour (mAh) capacity, divide it by 1000 to get the ampere-hours (Ah) for the above formula.

Airline restrictions

Each airline may have additional restrictions, especially if it's an international flight, so be sure to check the airline's website for their specific guidelines. My advice is to never check anything important or containing sensitive personal information, as there is a risk of luggage being lost or stolen once it is out of your control.