Transportation of Acousonde™ batteries

A single small primary lithium cell powers the Acousonde™. Because lithium is a hazardous material, government regulations affect how these batteries may be transported. Within the United States, transportation of small lithium cells is governed by Department of Transportation (DOT) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 49, Parts 171, 172, 173, and 175. This FAQ summarizes these regulations only as they apply to the battery used in the Acousonde.

Regulations change from time to time, and we make no representation that this FAQ is complete or correct. For example, in early 2010, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), part of the DOT, proposed sweeping changes to regulations on air transport of lithium batteries. These regulations would profoundly affect air transportation of batteries for virtually all electronic instrumentation, including the Acousonde. As of this writing (22 July 2010) these changes were under scrutiny and not yet implemented.

The battery currently recommended for the Acousonde is the Saft LS17500 A-size 3.6V small primary lithium cell.

• Can I ship or transport the Acousonde's batteries aboard passenger aircraft?
• What if I am personally traveling with the Acousonde?
• Can I check lithium cells as long as they are with their Acousondes?
• When packed with a cell inside, is the Acousonde secure against activation?
• Can I ship the Acousonde's batteries by non-passenger aircraft?



Can I ship or transport the Acousonde's batteries aboard passenger aircraft?

Where United States regulations apply, transport aboard passenger aircraft is only allowed for one battery per Acousonde that is being transported at the same time, up to a maximum of 24 battery cells (and 24 associated Acousondes). The cells must be transported either in or packaged with the Acousonde. If not contained within the Acousonde(s), the cells must be separated or packaged in a manner to prevent short circuits and with strong outer packaging (US DOT CFR Title 49, Part 172.102, Special Provision 188)

What if I am personally traveling with the Acousonde?

United States DOT CFR Title 49, Part 175.10 specifically mentions passenger transportation of spare batteries (including lithium batteries) for personal use of portable electronics, provided each spare battery is "individually protected so as to prevent short circuits (by placement in original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g., by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch) and carried in carry-on baggage only."

To emphasize the last requirement: you may not pack spare lithium cells or batteries, of any kind, of any size, or for any purpose, in checked luggage.

For spare cells packed in carry-on baggage, Part 175.10 appears to offer a limited exemption to the one-cell-per-device rule called out in Special Provision 188. As of 22 July 2010, the DOT's safetravel.dot.gov website also suggests that "for personal use, there is generally no restriction on the number of spare batteries allowed in carry-on baggage."

Can I check lithium cells as long as they are with their Acousondes?

Special Provision 188 appears to apply: you may pack one cell per Acousonde in checked luggage. The provision allows such cells as long as they are "in or packaged with" each associated Acousonde, and that this is done in a manner to prevent short circuits and with strong outer packaging. Guidelines at safetravel.dot.gov are more restrictive, only allowing a lithium battery to be checked if it is inside its associated device. We do not recommend checking the Acousonde in any event.

When packed with a cell inside, is the Acousonde secure against activation?

Guidelines at safetravel.dot.gov require you to secure a checked device containing batteries against activation. The only way to accomplish this with the Acousonde is to place an insulating material, such as electrical tape, over at least one of the battery contacts before inserting it in the Acousonde's battery compartment. We strongly recommend this approach when transporting the Acousonde.

If the battery is inserted but not isolated in this way, there is no way to turn the Acousonde completely "off"; it is always drawing some power from its battery. As long as the Acousonde has not been explicitly programmed to record, its standby power consumption is only about 1 mW. The Acousonde will only leave standby upon receiving a complex infrared command transmission that cannot occur by accident as long as the Acousonde is packaged optically separate from the Palm commanding unit. So, we believe that an undamaged Acousonde's standby state may be still considered "off" for the purposes of DOT guidelines.

Can I ship the Acousonde's batteries by non-passenger aircraft?

Some air-cargo companies use passenger aircraft, in which case all passenger-aircraft transportation regulations apply. Companies may also have their own regulations beyond those of the government. Please contact your cargo representative to see what regulations and packing requirements apply.

Saft certifies that the LS17500 is "non-restricted to transport" and "non-assigned to Class 9". This indicates a very low level of hazard relative to larger lithium batteries and cells.