Are extension cords allowed in carry on luggage

US regulators: lithium‑ion batteries up to 100 Wh are permitted in the cabin without airline approval. Devices or battery packs between 100–160 Wh require airline approval and are typically limited to two per passenger. Cells above 160 Wh are prohibited on passenger aircraft. Spare lithium batteries and standalone power banks are not accepted in checked bags and must be transported in hand baggage.

Follow this packing routine: coil cables loosely, separate individual cables to avoid tangling, insulate exposed terminals with tape or place batteries in original retail packaging, and store battery packs in a protective pouch. Do not use damaged cables or equipment with frayed insulation; remove and replace before travel. Label or keep receipts for high‑capacity battery packs to speed security checks.

Calculate watt‑hours when uncertain: Wh = volts × ampere‑hours (Wh = V × Ah). Example: a 3.7 V, 10 Ah power pack equals 37 Wh. If a battery lists milliampere‑hours (mAh), convert to Ah (mAh ÷ 1000 = Ah) before using the formula.

Airlines and countries differ: some carriers restrict power strips with multiple outlets or long reels in the cabin, and a few jurisdictions impose stricter battery limits. Check the specific airline policy and the departure/arrival civil aviation authority before flying. When in doubt, declare devices at the security checkpoint and keep them accessible for inspection.

Quick checklist: 1) Place all chargers, cables and non‑battery power strips in hand baggage; 2) Keep power banks and spare lithium cells in the cabin only; 3) Confirm packable Wh per device (≤100 Wh standard; 100–160 Wh with approval); 4) Protect terminals and avoid damaged gear; 5) Verify carrier rules before boarding.

Bringing power strips and cables in cabin baggage: concise guidance

Pack multi-outlet power strips and short power cables in your cabin baggage; keep spare lithium batteries and portable chargers in the cabin only and protect exposed terminals with tape or original packaging.

Regulatory specifics and thresholds

TSA and IATA rules permit power strips and ordinary mains cables in either cabin or checked bags, but lithium batteries and portable chargers have strict limits: up to 100 Wh per item may travel in-cabin without airline approval; items between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require airline approval and are usually limited to two spare units per passenger; batteries above 160 Wh are prohibited on passenger aircraft. Spare lithium batteries must never be placed in checked baggage. Installed batteries inside devices follow lighter restrictions but placing devices with high-capacity cells in the cabin reduces risk during screening.

Packing checklist (practical)

1) Identify batteries: read Wh or mAh and voltage label; calculate Wh = V × Ah if not printed. 2) Tape or cap exposed prongs and battery terminals; use original packaging when available. 3) Place battery-powered items and spare cells in carry-on within separate zip bag or pouch for quick inspection. 4) Check airline website for model-specific bans and request approval for 100–160 Wh items at least 48 hours before departure. 5) At security, present power banks and spare batteries separately if asked; declare unusual or high-capacity units to staff during check-in.

What U.S. TSA and FAA regulations say about power cables and strips

Pack power cables and power strips securely; cover exposed prongs with tape, stow them where they are easy to remove for inspection, and carry any spare lithium batteries in the aircraft cabin only.

TSA screening and transport rules

TSA classifies household power cables and power strips as common personal items subject to standard screening: X‑ray inspection and possible manual search. Devices without batteries generally pass screening, but anything that appears modified or contains hidden components will be opened. Surge protectors and multi-outlet strips are treated the same as other electrical accessories.

Items that include lithium batteries follow specific battery rules (see next section). Label watt‑hour (Wh) ratings on battery packs and retain manufacturer documentation when available to speed resolution during secondary screening.

FAA, hazardous materials and in‑flight use

FAA regulations focus on hazardous materials and aircraft safety rather than banning ordinary power cables. Key points:

Lithium‑ion batteries: up to 100 Wh – transport in cabin without airline approval; 100–160 Wh – airline approval required and usually limited in quantity; > 160 Wh – prohibited on passenger aircraft. Spare lithium batteries must remain in the cabin and must not be stowed in checked bags.

Lithium metal: individual batteries with more than 2 g elemental lithium are not acceptable in passenger carriage; smaller cells follow the same cabin‑only rule for spares.

FAA also prohibits unauthorized alteration or connection to aircraft electrical systems; personal power strips or adapters that would tie into aircraft wiring or galley circuits are typically disallowed by carriers and may be confiscated. Verify the airline’s policy before planning any use of personal power equipment onboard.

Practical checklist: tape exposed plugs, coil and secure cables, keep accessories accessible for screening, label battery Wh, keep spare batteries in cabin, and confirm airline in‑flight power rules before travel.

Types of power cables and strips that pass screening vs commonly flagged

Prefer grounded, UL/ETL-listed multi-outlet strips without integrated lithium cells; units with exposed wiring, aftermarket modifications, or built-in batteries frequently trigger secondary inspection.

Typically accepted items

Three-prong (grounded) multi-outlet strips with visible safety markings (UL, ETL, CE) and ratings clearly printed (US examples: 15 A / 125 V; EU examples: 10–16 A / 230 V). Short, single-piece cable assemblies with intact insulation and no signs of repair.

USB-only power hubs and surge strips that contain only passive protection components and no detachable or internal battery packs; device labels stating maximum output (e.g., USB‑C PD 100 W, USB‑A 5 V/2.4 A) reduce confusion during screening.

Strips with integrated circuit breakers or resettable fuses that show manufacturer markings and model numbers; commercial travel power strips from reputable brands (serial number/label present) are less likely to be pulled for inspection.

Frequently flagged or rejected items

Units with built-in lithium-ion packs or visible battery compartments integrated into the housing; anything resembling a power bank embedded inside a strip commonly raises alarms on X‑ray and by security staff.

Homemade, repaired or jury‑rigged assemblies: exposed conductors, frayed insulation, solder blobs, open junctions, taped repairs or missing strain relief are high-risk items for screening personnel.

Heavy industrial reels or motorized retractors, step‑down/up transformers and large toroidal components that appear as dense, unfamiliar masses on X‑ray; high‑amperage devices rated above typical household limits often attract extra scrutiny.

Multi‑tap “octopus” adapters and unbranded international converters without certification marks; adapters that massively multiply outlet count or contain unknown internals get pulled for closer inspection.

Practical steps to reduce holds: keep safety labels visible, retain original packaging or a copy of specifications, avoid aftermarket modifications, and choose short, certified units without embedded batteries.

How to pack power cables and multi-outlet strips for faster security screening

Place power cables and multi-outlet strips on top of packed items in a single, flat layer so they are clearly visible on X-ray and do not overlap dense clothing or electronics.

Packing steps (quick)

• Coil each cable using the over–under method to prevent kinks; target a 10–15 cm (4–6 in) loop diameter for compactness and clear visual shape.
• Secure coils with reusable Velcro straps or colored reusable ties; avoid opaque tape that conceals connectors or joint points.
• Position plugs and connectors so metal ends face away from dense objects; leave connectors exposed rather than tucked inside fabric folds.
• Lay multi-outlet strips flat with outlet faces visible; put strips near the bag opening or in a top compartment for immediate access.
• Group small adapters, USB blocks and short leads in a clear zip-top pouch to present as a single item and reduce loose items spilling during inspection.
• For surge-protected strips with heavy housings, separate them from heavy electronics to avoid stacked metal signatures on the X-ray image.

Screening-time practices

1. Keep one hand free to retrieve the cable bundle quickly at the security lane; hand the pouch or strip to the officer on request rather than fumbling inside the bag.
2. If removed from the bag, set items flat in a bin with connectors visible; avoid coiling tightly inside the bin.
3. Label reusable straps or pouches with a small bright tag so agents can spot that no hidden items remain inside.
4. If a secondary inspection occurs, open zip pouches and spread coils flat on the tray to shorten re-check time.

Clean connectors and plastic housings periodically to avoid sticky residues that trap lint; basic wipe-downs work, and for guidance on cleaning small plastic tools see how to clean scalp scrubber.

Checking airline and destination country policies before you travel

Verify the carrier’s published rules and the destination country’s customs and civil aviation pages 72–24 hours before departure; save a screenshot and the exact URL or clause number for inspection staff.

Search strategy: use site:yourairline.com “prohibited items”, “special baggage”, “battery” or “portable power” in quotation marks; example Google query template: site:yourairline.com “prohibited items” battery OR “portable power”. Also download any official baggage PDF and note page and clause references for later.

If web guidance is ambiguous, email the carrier’s customer-service or security address and request written confirmation. Suggested subject and body: “Policy confirmation – transport of portable power accessory on flight XX123 DATE. Please confirm in writing whether this item may be transported in checked or cabin baggage and cite the clause or PDF page.” Save the reply as PDF and keep both a printed copy and a mobile screenshot.

For international routes, check the destination embassy/consulate “customs prohibited items” page and the national civil aviation authority; use the IATA Travel Centre as a secondary check. If a destination’s customs law bans an item, airline permission alone will not prevent seizure at arrival.

At airport check-in and security, present the saved policy excerpt, the carrier reply and the item’s specification sheet (model number, watt-hour or voltage rating). If staff require surrender, request a written incident report containing agent name, time and reference number before handing anything over.

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What to do if security inspects, denies boarding with, or confiscates a power cable or power strip

Request a written seizure receipt, the screening officer’s name and badge/ID number, and the specific rule or hazard cited; photograph the item, screening tray, and any posted signage immediately.

Immediate steps at the checkpoint

Ask for a supervisor if the officer cannot provide a clear justification. Keep calm and concise: state that you need written documentation to file a claim or complaint. Retain boarding pass, bag tags, timestamped photos, and any verbal statements written down with names.

If boarding is refused, contact the airline gate agent before leaving the checkpoint: request written denial documentation, ask whether the item may be checked at the ticket counter or transferred to checked baggage, and note any rebooking, refund, or gate-check options offered.

If the item might be surrendered voluntarily, consider immediate alternatives at the airport: purchase a replacement at an airport electronics store, ship the item home via airport shipper (FedEx/UPS counters), or leave it with airline/airport lost & found if the agent confirms retrieval is allowed.

Documentation, follow-up and complaints

File an incident report with the airport security authority and with TSA using the Contact Center at 1-866-289-9673 or the online feedback form (https://www.tsa.gov/contact/feedback). For airline refusals or compensation disputes, contact the carrier’s customer service and, if unresolved, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation Aviation Consumer Protection (https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-complaint).

Keep originals and digital copies of: seizure receipts, boarding pass, bag tags, purchase receipts for replacements, photos, and any email or written replies. Submit reimbursement requests to the airline or airport within days and attach all evidence; request a case number and expected response time.

If the item is confiscated and you wish to recover it, ask the airport police/property office for the item’s disposition record and retrieval procedure; many seized items are destroyed or disposed of, so retrieval is often unlikely–plan replacement or shipping as the practical remedy.

For future trips, pack power accessories where they will not trigger secondary screening (checked baggage when permitted) and keep originals of invoices and manufacturer labels to speed resolution if inspection occurs again.