If you're traveling in or from the U.S., you might want to take note of these new rules from the U.S. Department of Transportation about laptop batteries. Hey, it's not the TSA changing the rules for once, and it's in response to a real problem-exploding batteries!

In the press release, the DOT states that you can check lithium batteries in checked luggage "if they are installed in electronic devices, or in carry-on baggage if stored in plastic bags." However the Safe Travel website clarifies this further by saying that batteries that aren't installed in devices are forbidden.

There are also some limits on what they call "lithium equivalent content." If it's under 8 grams of lithium equivalent content-and most batteries you have are-then you can either have them installed in a device checked or in your carry-on bag. If it is more than 8 grams, but less than 25 grams of lithium equivalent content, you may only have two of them and they either have to be installed in the device if it goes in checked luggage or it has to be in your carry-on bag.

The reason for the rule change? According to the press release:

Lithium batteries are considered hazardous materials because they can overheat and ignite in certain conditions. Safety testing conducted by the FAA found that current aircraft cargo fire suppression system would not be capable of suppressing a fire if a shipment of non-rechargeable lithium batteries were ignited in flight.

Whatever the rules are, and even if they are for a good reason, how in the hell are they actually going to enforce that people are carrying beyond their limit of spare batteries? Actually, I pack my spare batteries in devices frequently, so there should be no problems for me, but I can see this just making the security lines at the airport that much longer.

From The Mobile Gadgeteer