You may have a 20000mah power bank that you will want to take with you when you’re on a flight. Is it allowed in flight? Let’s find out.
It would be a good idea to check your battery’s pack Wh even though the majority of power banks fall below this threshold. In order to avoid any issues at check-in or on the plane, do this.
A 20000 mAh power bank is allowed on board an airplane, but only as hand luggage or in your carry-on, according to the TSA. The following is a list of resources for those interested in pursuing a career in the field of forensic anthropology.
Is a 20000mah Power Bank Allowed in Flight?
Generally, it’s pretty safe to take a 20000mAh power bank aboard with you since it only has 74Wh, falling below the 100Wh limit.
You can easily calculate this just to be sure. A conversion will be necessary to obtain the total energy because the majority of battery packs advertise based on their charge. To do this, multiply the mAh by the battery’s nominal voltage (usually 3.7V) and divide it by 1000. As an illustration, 20000mAh * 3.7V/1,000 = 74Wh.
What is the Maximum MAh Allowed on a Plane?
The maximum battery capacity you’re allowed to bring on a plane is 100Wh or around 27000mAh. Although they come in a wide range of voltages and capacities, a typical 3.7V power bank would need to have a capacity of about 27000mAh before exceeding the 100Wh threshold.
As long as it displays “3.6V” or “3.7V” with a number close to 27000mAh, chances are that it’s ok to take on a flight. Furthermore, you are allowed to take two 100Wh devices with you in your carry-on luggage. Overall, 200Wh, or about 54000mAh, of battery capacity is sufficient for flight.
However, power banks between 100Wh and 160Wh can still be taken aboard a plane with you, but they will need special airline approval. The number of Wh in your device should be determined if it has a large capacity. If your device has a battery capacity of 100Wh or more, you must notify the airline at least 72 hours before your flight.
As long as it’s below 160Wh, the airline will let you through security. If you require more power, you may bring up to two additional batteries in your carry-on bags as long as their combined total is not greater than 160Wh.
Anything over 160Wh would be problematic because it would be considered dangerous cargo and would need special authorization to be transported by air. Just as a point of comparison, a 160Wh power bank is equivalent to 44000mAh at 3.6V.
Given that power banks of this size are typically difficult to find, you probably won’t need to worry about this. If such a problem arises, you must still get in touch with the airline.
Why Does TSA Stop Some People from Bringing Their Power Banks With Them?
There are rare occurrences when TSA agents stop people with power banks, although their devices adhere to TSA rules. In most cases, there is a simple explanation: their power banks showed signs of external damage.
If your power bank has cracks all over it and you “fix it” with tape, be aware that airport security might see your device as a security risk and will not allow you to board the plane with it. You also need to know whether batteries are allowed on planes:
- Are Lithium Batteries Allowed on Planes?
- Are Alkaline Batteries Allowed on Planes?
- Are Camera Batteries Allowed on Planes?
- Are Drone Batteries Allowed on Planes?
How Many Power Banks Can You Take With You onto a Plane?
These TSA regulations are very clear. As long as your power banks respect the “Wh rule,” you can bring up to 2 power banks with you onto an airplane. This limit is per passenger and not per baggage.
Remember that the TSA considers small portable chargers used to charge vapes or smartwatches to be power banks when using this limit. This is important to remember.
A power bank is a device that has a lithium battery inside and charges other electronic devices, according to the TSA. According to this definition, TSA personnel might even classify an AirPod charging case as a power bank because it has a lithium battery inside.
Why Are Power Banks Not Allowed in Checked Luggage?
Each power bank has a small amount of lithium, which can occasionally cause them to catch fire or even explode. This happens mainly because the battery inside the power bank was made with low-quality components or has some manufacturing defects.
External damage is another factor. Air turbulence could harm your power bank in checked baggage, causing it to catch fire.
Both TSA and airlines don’t want that, and I can’t blame them. However, the risk to the plane’s safety is partially mitigated when the power banks are in the cabin, as someone will always be available to extinguish the fire quickly.
Conclusion: a 20000mah Power Bank is Allowed in Flight
All things considered, 20000mAh power banks are totally safe to bring on a flight. On any given flight, you are actually permitted to carry two 2000mAh power banks without any problems. However, you should be aware that some airlines all over the world won’t let you bring a power bank with a rating between 100 and 160Wh on board if you need the airline’s permission.
Just make sure the device’s capacity is prominently displayed on one of the sides, especially if you’re traveling abroad.
FAQs
Is a 30000mAh Power Bank Allowed in Flight?
Additionally, there are some fundamental laws of power to consider. While these rules vary from airline to airline, as a rule of thumb, you’re allowed to take a power bank that’s registered at less than 100Wh (or less than 27000mAh) without any need for approval or declaration.
Can I Carry a 25000mAh Power Bank in Flight?
Yes! You can now take a power bank with you aboard a plane – provided you carry it with your luggage into the cabin. Power banks are not permitted to be checked in with your luggage.
