APC Smart-ups Charge Mobile Battery IS a Lithium-ion Battery System Designed to - CSH2

APC by Schneider Electric CSH2 Smart-UPS Charge Mobile Lithium-Ion Battery System

Overview

The APC by Schneider Electric CSH2 is a mobile lithium-ion battery system from the Smart-UPS Battery Systems range, built for installations where portable, rechargeable backup power needs to move with the equipment it protects. Unlike rack-mounted UPS units that anchor power protection to a fixed location, the CSH2 is designed for non-rack deployments — think temporary command posts, mobile security workstations, portable kiosk infrastructure, or field service carts where a fixed UPS isn't practical. At 22 lb (10.0 kg) and a 16.9-inch footprint (429.3 mm), it's dense enough to deliver meaningful runtime without being a two-person lift.

Multi-voltage input compatibility — 100V, 120V, and 230V — means the CSH2 deploys across North American and international electrical environments without an external transformer. That flexibility matters for organizations operating across jurisdictions or procuring a single SKU for global deployments.

Key Features

• Lithium-Ion Chemistry: Li-ion batteries hold charge longer on the shelf, charge faster, and deliver more cycles than traditional VRLA or AGM alternatives. For mobile deployments where the unit may sit unused between events (disaster response staging, temporary surveillance setups), this chemistry prevents the capacity fade that kills lead-acid batteries in low-utilization roles.
• Multi-Voltage Input (100V / 120V / 230V): A single CSH2 unit covers North American 120V circuits and international 230V installations without adapters. If your organization standardizes on one SKU across facilities in multiple countries, this eliminates the procurement split between domestic and international models.
• IEC 60320 C13 Input Connector: The C13 inlet is the global standard for IT and AV equipment power — the same connector used on servers, switches, monitors, and projectors. You won't need a custom power cable; standard C13-to-NEMA or C13-to-C14 cables are universally available and inexpensive.
• DC Cable Included: The CSH2 ships with a DC cable, so you can connect directly to compatible DC-input devices without sourcing an accessory separately. Verify DC voltage and connector compatibility with the target device before deployment.
• Non-Rack-Mountable Form Factor: The CSH2 is explicitly not rack-mountable — this is a feature, not a limitation, for its intended use case. It's designed to sit on a surface, roll on a cart, or integrate into a portable enclosure, not consume U-space in a fixed rack. If your deployment requires rack-integrated battery backup, this is the wrong model.
• 22 lb (10.0 kg) Weight: Heavy enough to signal meaningful cell capacity, light enough for a single person to transport and reposition. For mobile security or field deployments, this weight class is manageable without a cart, though longer distances benefit from wheeled staging.
• Wide Input Frequency Range (40–70 Hz): The CSH2 accepts input frequencies from 40 to 70 Hz, covering both 50 Hz (international) and 60 Hz (North American) grids, plus generator output that often drifts outside tight tolerances. This makes it stable on generator power — a practical advantage in emergency or temporary-site deployments where grid power is replaced by a portable generator.
• Operating Humidity: 0–85% RH: Rated for high-humidity environments up to 85% relative humidity during operation, the CSH2 handles warehouse floors, loading docks, and outdoor-adjacent installations without moisture-induced failures. Storage humidity tolerance extends to 95% non-condensing, so the unit survives humid storage between deployments.

Integration and Compatibility

The CSH2 is part of APC's Smart-UPS Battery Systems range, designed to pair with compatible Smart-UPS units or DC-input devices. The IEC 60320 C13 input is universally compatible with standard power distribution infrastructure. The included DC cable facilitates direct connection to supported DC-input equipment — consult APC's compatibility documentation to confirm which Smart-UPS hosts accept the CSH2 as an external battery module.

For integrators building out power protection infrastructure in security operations centers, retail automation, or mobile command environments, the multi-voltage input simplifies procurement. Pair with an appropriate UPS system or DC-compatible load device. If you're specifying backup power for a fixed rack-mounted deployment, review APC's rack-mount battery options instead — the CSH2's non-rack form factor is a hard constraint, not a configuration option.

For broader power resilience planning in surveillance or access control installations, see the power protection planning guide for runtime calculations and battery sizing by load type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the APC CSH2 rack-mountable?

A: No. The CSH2 is explicitly non-rack-mountable. It is designed for surface, cart, or portable enclosure deployments. If you need rack-integrated battery backup, you'll need a different model from APC's Smart-UPS rack battery line.

Q: What input voltages does the CSH2 support?

A: The CSH2 accepts 100V, 120V, and 230V input, covering both North American and international electrical standards. Input frequency range is 40–70 Hz, which includes both 50 Hz and 60 Hz grids as well as typical generator output.

Q: What connector type does the CSH2 use for input power?

A: The input connection is IEC 60320 C13 — the standard power inlet used on most IT and AV equipment worldwide. Standard C13 power cables are widely available.

Q: What is included in the box with the CSH2?

A: APC includes a DC cable with the CSH2. Verify that this cable is compatible with your target device's DC input before installation.

Q: What is the operating humidity range for the CSH2?

A: The CSH2 operates in environments up to 85% relative humidity. Storage humidity tolerance is up to 95% non-condensing, making it suitable for humid warehouse or staging environments.

Q: How heavy is the CSH2 and can one person move it?

A: The CSH2 weighs 22 lb (10.0 kg) and measures 16.9 inches (429.3 mm). Most adults can relocate it solo over short distances; a cart is practical for longer moves or repeated repositioning.

James Everett

The CSH2 sits in a product niche that's easy to overlook when specifying power protection: the mobile, non-rack deployment where a fixed UPS wastes U-space and a built-in battery isn't enough runtime. The 40–70 Hz input frequency range is the spec I'd highlight first — generator-fed temporary sites routinely run outside tight frequency tolerances, and most cheaper battery systems simply don't handle that gracefully. The CSH2 does, which matters for emergency response staging or mobile security command posts.

Technical Highlights:

• Multi-Voltage Input (100–230V): A single procurement SKU covers North American 120V and international 230V sites — eliminates the split-SKU headache for organizations operating across multiple countries or procuring for uncertain deployment locations.
• Wide Frequency Tolerance (40–70 Hz): Accepts generator output that drifts well outside the 50/60 Hz grid standard. This is the spec that makes the CSH2 viable in temporary or emergency deployments where utility power has been replaced by portable generation.
• 22 lb Lithium-Ion Form Factor: At 10.0 kg, this is a one-person carry for short moves — meaningful for field technicians deploying and redeploying equipment across a site. Li-ion chemistry avoids the shelf-capacity fade that makes lead-acid impractical in low-utilization mobile roles.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm DC cable connector and voltage compatibility with the target device before installation — the included cable covers APC Smart-UPS host compatibility, but third-party DC-input equipment may require a different termination.
• The non-rack-mountable form factor is a hard constraint: if this is destined for a rack cabinet or wall-mount enclosure, the CSH2 will not fit. Specify a rack-mount battery extension unit instead.

The CSH2 is the right call for mobile security workstations, temporary surveillance infrastructure at construction sites or events, and field service carts where power protection needs to move with the load — not stay bolted in a server room.