Never Fear... PRBA Is On The Case

The Portable Rechargeable Battery Association, or PRBA -- did you even know there was such an organization? -- says all the problems with burning batteries of late... in their words... most likely relates to aircraft charging systems.

They describe the risk of using batteries -- even those recalled but not yet returned -- is low, and can be further mitigated by either using the electronic device on battery power alone, or plugging the device into the aircraft power system without the battery installed.

Apparently, PRBA told the FAA about the danger of charging batteries inflight using an aircraft's electrical system almost 10 years ago. In a 1997 letter sent to the airlines and the FAA, the association highlighted the need for stable voltage and an instantaneous cut-off system in the event of an over-heat or over-charge condition.

Most electronic equipment with rechargeable batteries already employ a cut-off system, but they might not work if the user replaces the original battery with one not supplied by the manufacturer... so onboard electrical systems should have a redundant cut-off capability. They don't.

PRBA stresses that even if a battery does catch fire, UK Civil Aviation Authority testing has conclusively proven that standard aviation fire extinquishers can douse the flames.

FMI: www.prba.org