What is the new FAA ruling regarding batteries on commercial air flights?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently updated its website to include new safety content — PackSafe – Lithium Batteries. This information addresses carrying and the use of power banks, cell phone battery charging cases, rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries, cell phone batteries, laptop batteries, external batteries, and portable rechargers on commercial air flights. Read more on the FAA website by clicking this link.
Does this new FAA ruling impact my portable oxygen concentrator batteries?
Yes, this new information can impact oxygen users who carry extra batteries and power cartridges to provide the power they need to operate their portable oxygen concentrators during commercial air flights.
What technical data do I need to know about my Eclipse power cartridge?
The Eclipse® 5 portable oxygen concentrator meets FAA Guidelines as its power cartridge is composed of two (2) 97.5-watt-hour lithium-ion battery packs, each fall under the FAA limit of 160 Wh per battery. The Eclipse 5 does not contain lithium metal batteries.
Furthermore, the double battery contains (2) electrically isolated 97.5Wh battery packs with isolated safety circuitry. Although the (2) individual packs cannot be physically separated, the Eclipse double battery is FAA compliant because each electrically isolated pack is <100Wh (the limit for lithium ion). This is the same concept and implementation as the FreeStyle® Comfort®, 16-cell double battery.
I am planning a trip soon. Do you have any recommendations regarding my airline travel with the Eclipse?
CAIRE recommends that anyone planning to travel with their Eclipse contact their airline directly to see whether use of this device on board is permissible before their trip to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Ref: MR-CORP0034 A
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