Are the batteries in FLIR cameras allowed on board airplanes?

If you are traveling with your IR camera or other battery-operated equipment to, from or within the USA - and perhaps elsewhere around the world - the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) recent pronouncements about the rules governing the transport of batteries containing Lithium means you may have to plan a bit more carefully how many rechargeable battery packs you carry with you, and how you carry them.

This rule, which took effect on January 1, 2008, prohibits carriage of spare lithium batteries in checked baggage (suitcases that you hand over to the airline for handling). Portable electronic device with batteries installed can still be checked in.

Spare batteries can be carried in the hand baggage.

The following batteries are used in FLIR cameras:

Part number Description Used in Type Li *)
1950986 Battery FLIR / EXTECH ix Series Lithium-Ion 8.2 watt-hours 0.7 g
T197752 Battery FLIR Exx Series Lithium-Ion 16.3 watt-hours 1.32 g
T198310 Battery FLIR Kxx Series Lithium-Ion 16.3 watt-hours 1.32 g
T198055 Battery FLIR T6xx Series Lithium-Ion 28.9 watt-hours 3 g
1195268 Battery P/S series P/S and B Series Lithium-Ion 31 watt-hours 3 g
1196209 Battery 600 Series (P620, P630, P635, P640, P660,  B620, B640, B660, SC620, SC640, SC660) Lithium-Ion 32 watt-hours 3 g
1195106 Battery E Series, Scout, B2 and B4 Lithium-Ion 16 watt-hours 1.5 g
1196398 Battery InfraCAM™, BCAM™, i/bxx Series (i40, i50, i60, b40, b50, b60), T Series (T200, T250, T300, T330, T335, T340, T390, T400, T360, B200, B250, B300, B335, B360, B400) Lithium-Ion 13.2 watt-hours 1 g
*) Approximate Lithium content

Older cameras like P5xx, P6xx use NIMH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries which are not covered by this rule.

Visit safetravel.dot.gov for more information

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