When travelling by air with power tools, such as a cordless drill battery, you will need to have them in your checked in luggage. Such tools are not allowed in the carry-on luggage as they can be quite risky.
Can You Take Cordless Drill Batteries On A Plane? Yes, provided that you carry them in a way that does not put those on board at risk.
One basic fact about batteries that you should know is that they are always at risk of shorting. This may turn out to be hazardous if you do not keep them close to you. In the case of cordless drill, the batteries if connecting may cause some unnecessary accidents in their airplane.
Rules Regarding Carrying Cordless Drill Batteries
Cordless drill batteries can be packed in the checked in luggage with their batteries connected. You will just have to ensure that they are not at risk of shorting as this may be quite hazardous. They should also be placed in a way that stops them from activating accidentally.
It is also advisable that you go for the option of disconnecting the battery from tools and carrying the battery in the carry-on luggage. The tools can then be placed in the checked in luggage compartment.
Spare batteries of such tools have to be in your carry-on luggage so that you have a keen eye on them. You are even allowed to carry as much batteries as you want depending on the regulations of the airline you are travelling with.
If you are not sure about the set regulations, you should consider speaking with the appropriate staff who would then advise on what should be done.
The Type of Batteries Allowed on Airplanes
Passengers are allowed almost any consumer-type batteries as well as electronic devices that use these batteries on their carry-on luggage. As a passenger, you are advised to carry spare batteries in a way that keeps them free from destruction and short-circuiting. Proper packing should also ensure from accidental activation and away from heat that may cause them to react in a risky way.
For your own safety, you should avoid carrying batteries that are damaged. This is in the case of either a spare or a battery connected on your device. Damaged batteries include those that are either leaking or that have bulges or something like that. The following batteries are allowed in aeroplanes if they are in good condition:
• Dry cell alkaline batteries
• Rechargeable batteries
• Li-ion batteries
• Lithium batteries
• Nonspillable wet batteries
Facts You Should Know About Carrying Spare Batteries
Whether you are carrying batteries of a cordless drill or any other power tool, you need to be careful to avoid putting yourself as well as other passengers at risk. The following measures will prevent risking the lives of passengers when you are carrying spare batteries.
For the batteries that are in the carry-on luggage, you need to have them close enough so that the airline staff can access them at times of emergency.
Damaged or slightly damaged batteries are quite a risk on airplanes. You should be on the lookout for punctures on the battery as this may cause internal shorting. Crushing and putting them under pressure may initiate a chemical reaction in the batteries that may turn out to be hazardous.
This causes the battery to short circuit internally which will then cause its overheating. The battery might even explode depending on a number of factors like the room temperature.
Spare batteries need to be packed safely even as they are in the carry-on luggage. It is a good idea to have them maintained in protective cases or even the package that they are purchased with. It is recommended to cover the terminals so that you cover them hence protecting them from coming into contact with metallic items you might have carried with you.
Metals and batteries can be quite risky when placed close together. Therefore, it is a bad idea placing loose batteries in the same luggage compartment with metal objects such as rings, coins and even jewellery.
For battery-powered gadgets, switching them off helps a lot. This will help taming the battery as it will be in disconnected state. Power implements come across as quite risky as something may hit the switch and cause them to switch on thus putting the lives of everyone on board at risk.
Some batteries are carried on board for wheelchairs and medical devices. In such cases, the airline staff should advise on what should be done and what precautionary measures have to be followed. The checking officials can advise on what should be done in order to avoid putting those on board at risk.
Conclusion
As indicated above, batteries can turn out to be quite risky if they are not properly packed. This is because they are at risk of shorting that could turn out to be hazardous and even explode in a severe case. Whenever you are travelling with batteries, it is recommended that you adhere to safety rules and guidelines set by the airline.
For instance, you should know what can go to the carry-on luggage and what should go to the checked luggage. The appropriate staff can advise in this so that you are on the safe side when travelling with batteries of any type.
