Key Terms

Button cell or battery: A round small cell or battery where the overall height is less than the diameter.

Cell: A single encased electrochemical unit consisting of one positive and one negative electrode, which exhibits a voltage differential across its two terminals.

Consignment: One or more packages of dangerous goods accepted by an airline from one shipper at one time and at one address, receipted for in one lot and moving to one consignee at one destination address.

Lithium batteries: Two or more cells that are connected together.

Lithium ion batteries: Sometimes referred to as secondary batteries. Rechargeable batteries used in consumer electronics, such as mobile phones and laptop computers, and in larger applications, such as e-bikes and motor vehicles. The term lithium ion includes lithium polymer and lithium iron phosphate batteries.

Lithium metal batteries: Typically non-rechargeable batteries used in long-life applications, such as watches, calculators, and emergency locator beacons. The term lithium metal encompasses lithium alloy batteries and includes those containing sulfuryl chloride and thionyl chloride.

Rated capacity: The capacity, in ampere-hours or milliampere-hours, of a cell or battery as measured by subjecting it to a load, temperature, and voltage cut-off point specified by the manufacturer.

State of charge: The equivalent of a fuel gauge for the battery pack in a battery. The units of state of charge (SOC) are percentage points (zero percent equals empty; 100 percent equals full).

State of Origin: The country in the territory of which the consignment is to first be loaded on an aircraft.

Terminal: A post, pin, or lug on a battery to which a cable can be attached, usually labeled with a plus or minus sign.

Thermal Runaway: The overheating and failure of lithium batteries. It is this failure mode that causes the potential for on-board fires and why lithium batteries are classed as dangerous goods. In the event of thermal runaway the anode breaks down to release methane and ethane gas.