APC by Schneider Electric BR500CI-AS Back-UPS RS 500 230V Uninterruptible Power Supply
Overview
The APC by Schneider Electric BR500CI-AS is a 230V uninterruptible power supply designed to keep connected equipment running through power outages and line disturbances. Built around a maintenance-free sealed lead-acid battery with suspended electrolyte — meaning no liquid to leak, no periodic watering, no venting requirements — this unit fits into equipment rooms, small server closets, and surveillance head-end cabinets without the handling concerns that come with conventional flooded cells. If you're speccing UPS battery backup for a security or network head-end where someone needs to swap the battery without calling a service tech, the sealed construction is the right call.
At 230V input and output, the BR500CI-AS is built for international and regional markets where 230V mains are standard. It is not a 120V North American unit — verify your local mains voltage before ordering. The unit measures 7.3 in. H × 4.5 in. W × 8.4 in. D and ships in a compact black enclosure that fits on a desk or shelf without dedicated rack space.
Key Features
- Maintenance-Free Sealed Lead-Acid Battery: The suspended electrolyte design eliminates liquid spillage risk — you can ship, store, and install this unit in any orientation without worrying about leaks damaging other equipment in a rack or cabinet. Replacement is a tool-free swap when the time comes.
- 230V Input/Output: Matched to 230V mains standards used across Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and other regions. Both input and output run at 230V, so connected equipment sees clean, consistent voltage without a transformer in the chain.
- Compact Form Factor (7.3 × 4.5 × 8.4 in.): Fits on a standard shelf or desktop without requiring a rack unit. For small surveillance installs — a single NVR, a PoE switch, and a couple of IP cameras — this footprint keeps the head-end tidy without a full rack UPS.
- Leakproof Construction: The sealed, suspended-electrolyte battery is rated leakproof, which matters in installations where the UPS sits directly next to or below active electronics. No secondary containment required.
- 6-Foot Cord: The 6 ft. power cord provides enough reach to connect to a wall outlet without an extension cord in most standard equipment room layouts — extension cords on UPS inputs are a code and warranty concern worth avoiding.
Integration & Compatibility
The BR500CI-AS operates on 230V AC mains and is intended for markets where that voltage is the grid standard. It is appropriate for protecting network switches, NVRs, IP camera systems, access control panels, and similar network security infrastructure that runs on 230V. Pair it with a PoE switch and NVR to keep an IP surveillance system live through brief outages. For larger installations requiring higher VA ratings or rack-mount form factors, consider other units in the APC by Schneider Electric Back-UPS and Smart-UPS lines. For a deeper look at sizing UPS capacity to your camera and recorder load, refer to a UPS sizing guide for surveillance systems.
Prop 65 notice: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What voltage does the BR500CI-AS operate on?
A: The BR500CI-AS is a 230V unit — both input and output are 230V. It is designed for markets where 230V is the standard mains voltage and is not suitable for 120V North American outlets.
Q: What type of battery does the BR500CI-AS use?
A: It uses a maintenance-free sealed lead-acid battery with suspended electrolyte. The sealed, leakproof construction means no periodic maintenance is required and the unit can be installed in any orientation without risk of battery fluid damage.
Q: Can the BR500CI-AS be rack-mounted?
A: Based on available specifications, the BR500CI-AS is a tower/desktop form factor measuring 7.3 in. H × 4.5 in. W × 8.4 in. D. It is not described as a rack-mount unit. For rack installations, review other models in the APC Back-UPS or Smart-UPS line.
Q: Is the BR500CI-AS suitable for protecting IP surveillance equipment?
A: Yes — a 230V UPS of this class is appropriate for protecting NVRs, PoE switches, and access control panels in small to mid-size surveillance installations on 230V mains. Verify that the total connected load does not exceed the unit's VA and watt ratings before deploying.
The BR500CI-AS is a 230V Back-UPS RS built around a maintenance-free sealed lead-acid battery — which sounds like a minor detail until you've dealt with a vented battery that leaked onto a switch in a wall-mount enclosure. The sealed, suspended-electrolyte construction is the spec I'd call out first for anyone deploying this in a confined head-end cabinet.
Technical Highlights:
- Sealed Lead-Acid Battery: Maintenance-free and leakproof by design — no scheduled watering, no venting, no secondary containment required in a closed cabinet next to active electronics.
- 230V Input and Output: Both rails run at 230V, matching standard mains in Asia-Pacific and most international markets. The connected equipment sees the same voltage on battery as it does on line — no step-down or mismatch to plan around.
- Compact Footprint (7.3 × 4.5 × 8.4 in.): Small enough to sit on a shelf alongside an NVR or sit underneath a PoE switch without consuming rack space — relevant when you're working with a wall-mount enclosure or a tight utility closet.
Deployment Considerations:
- Confirm 230V mains at the install site before ordering — this unit will not function correctly on 120V North American circuits, and the error typically presents as the UPS immediately switching to battery or failing to initialize.
- The cord is 6 ft. — enough for most wall-outlet-to-shelf runs, but plan your cable management before assuming it reaches. Running a UPS input through an extension cord is a code and warranty concern.
For a small 230V surveillance head-end — NVR, managed PoE switch, and access control panel in a single-room install — the BR500CI-AS fits the physical and electrical profile without over-provisioning. It's the right size for that scenario, not a data center row.
