APC by Schneider Electric SURTA48XLBP 48V Smart-UPS RT External Battery Pack
Overview
The SURTA48XLBP is a 48V DC external battery pack engineered to extend runtime on compatible APC Smart-UPS RT systems. With 864 VAh of capacity delivered through two sealed lead acid modules housed in an enclosed battery cabinet, this unit is sized for mission-critical infrastructure where a brief power interruption would mean data loss, surveillance gaps, or access control failures. At 72.4 lb and 17.80" x 22.00" x 3.40", it installs alongside rack-mounted UPS hardware in standard equipment enclosures without requiring additional floor space or custom mounting hardware.
Key Features
- 864 VAh Total Capacity: Two lead acid modules combine to deliver 864 VAh at 48V DC — enough headroom to sustain multi-server or multi-NVR loads through extended outages rather than just covering the time needed for a graceful shutdown.
- Spill-Proof, Maintenance-Free Chemistry: Sealed valve-regulated lead acid construction means no electrolyte monitoring, no watering schedule, and no ventilation requirements beyond standard equipment room airflow. Install it and leave it.
- Enclosed Battery Cabinet Design: The two battery modules ship pre-installed in a finished enclosure — no loose cells to rack individually, no assembly required beyond connecting to the host UPS. Keeps battery hardware contained and presentable in customer-facing equipment rooms.
- 48V DC Output: Voltage matches the internal bus of compatible Smart-UPS RT platforms directly, so there is no conversion loss between the pack and the inverter stage of the host UPS.
- Operating Range to 104°F (40°C): Rated for data center and telecom environments where rack-dense heat loads can push ambient temperatures above typical HVAC setpoints. Staying within spec at 40°C means the pack performs through summer peaks without derate.
- 3–5 Year Expected Battery Life: Manufacturer-rated minimum 3 years and maximum 5 years under normal operating conditions — a realistic replacement planning window for facilities on annual maintenance contracts.
- 72.4 lb Installed Weight: Factor this into rack load calculations before placement. A bottom-of-rack or dedicated battery shelf position is standard practice; top-mounting a 72 lb battery pack raises rack center-of-gravity and complicates future serviceability.
Integration & Compatibility
The SURTA48XLBP is designed for use with APC Smart-UPS RT series systems that accept an external 48V battery pack. Verify the host UPS model explicitly accepts this pack before ordering — not all Smart-UPS RT configurations share the same battery voltage or connector interface. This pack does not include a standalone charging circuit; it requires connection to a compatible host UPS to charge and discharge properly. For broader UPS and power protection options, including higher-capacity configurations, review the full power protection line.
What's in the Box
- 1x Smart-UPS RT 48V Battery Pack (2 lead acid modules pre-installed in enclosed cabinet)
- 1x Documentation CD
- 1x User Manual
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the battery capacity of the SURTA48XLBP?
A: The SURTA48XLBP delivers 864 VAh total capacity via two sealed lead acid modules at 48V DC output.
Q: Is the SURTA48XLBP maintenance-free?
A: Yes. The sealed valve-regulated lead acid chemistry is spill-proof and maintenance-free — no watering, no electrolyte checks, no special ventilation beyond normal equipment room airflow.
Q: How long will the batteries last before replacement?
A: Manufacturer-rated battery life is a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years under normal operating conditions.
Q: How much does the SURTA48XLBP weigh, and does that affect rack placement?
A: It weighs 72.4 lb. Plan for bottom-of-rack or dedicated battery shelf installation. Top-mounting this weight raises rack center-of-gravity and can complicate future serviceability.
Q: What are the dimensions of the SURTA48XLBP?
A: The unit measures 17.80" wide x 22.00" deep x 3.40" high, suitable for installation in standard equipment enclosures alongside compatible rack-mounted UPS hardware.
Q: Does the SURTA48XLBP include a standalone charger?
A: No. This pack requires connection to a compatible APC Smart-UPS RT host UPS for charging and discharging. It does not function as a standalone battery system.
The SURTA48XLBP is a straightforward runtime extender for Smart-UPS RT deployments — the 864 VAh at 48V DC is the number that matters when you're sizing how long a surveillance head-end or access control server room stays up through an extended outage. I've seen integrators underspec runtime and end up with a 5-minute bridge when the customer expected 30; getting the VAh right upfront avoids that conversation.
Technical Highlights:
- 864 VAh Capacity: Two pre-installed modules deliver combined capacity that meaningfully extends runtime beyond the host UPS's internal battery — the delta depends on connected load, but on a lightly loaded server or NVR rack this pack can add 30–60+ minutes depending on draw.
- 40°C Operating Ceiling: Rack environments with dense compute or limited HVAC headroom regularly push 35–40°C ambient. This pack is rated to operate at the upper limit without derate — relevant for telecom closets and edge deployments.
- 3–5 Year Battery Life Window: The manufacturer's stated range gives you a concrete replacement planning cycle. Budget battery replacement at year 3 in high-cycle environments; year 5 is achievable in climate-controlled data centers with stable float charge conditions.
Deployment Considerations:
- At 72.4 lb, this pack requires two-person installation and should be positioned at the bottom of the rack or on a dedicated battery shelf rated for the load. Confirm your rack's weight capacity before deployment.
- This pack has no standalone charge management — it is dependent on the host Smart-UPS RT for all charge and discharge control. Verify host UPS compatibility by model number before ordering; not all RT-series UPS units accept this pack's 48V interface.
Best fit for Smart-UPS RT deployments protecting surveillance NVR stacks, access control servers, or edge networking gear in facilities where outage duration — not just ride-through — is the actual requirement.
