CyberPower RBC55-CP Sealed Lead-Acid Battery Cartridge
The RBC55-CP is a sealed lead-acid battery replacement cartridge rated 12V/18Ah per unit, supplied as a paired set (2 units total). Built for uninterruptible power supply systems deployed in surveillance centers, server rooms, and network closets where brief utility outages can disrupt recording or access control, the RBC55-CP extends ride-through time without requiring external charging infrastructure. Each cartridge is sealed — no water top-ups, no venting concerns in enclosed equipment racks.
Overview
The RBC55-CP cartridge pair delivers 36Ah nominal capacity (two 18Ah units in parallel electrical configuration, depending on your UPS architecture). Sealed lead-acid chemistry means zero maintenance once installed; the battery remains stable across the operating humidity window of 0–90% relative humidity, making it suitable for temperature-controlled server rooms and outdoor-mounted UPS enclosures. The two-year limited warranty covers manufacturing defects and provides recourse if capacity degrades prematurely — standard for datacenter-grade backup batteries.
Key Features
- 12V/18Ah per cartridge (2 units supplied): Scaled capacity matches common UPS frame sizes. A pair of 18Ah cells in standard lead-acid topology gives you flexibility: configure them in parallel for 36Ah total, or use individually in smaller systems. This modular approach means you can match your UPS topology without oversizing.
- Sealed construction: No acid spillage risk, no hydrogen venting into your server room. Sealed batteries are safe in enclosed racks and don't require dedicated ventilation — a real cost-saver versus vented flooded cells in older installations.
- Operating temperature 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C): Wide operating window covers most climate-controlled facilities. Below 32°F, capacity drops noticeably; above 104°F, cycle life shortens. Most enterprise datacenters run 65–75°F, so you're well within the safe zone. If your comms room sits in an uncontrolled garage or outdoor shelter, confirm ambient temps during summer peaks.
- 0–90% relative humidity tolerance: Sealed construction means condensation inside the cell won't corrode terminals or plates. Coastal salt-air or high-humidity warehouse environments won't degrade the battery faster than inland standard-humidity sites. This spec is often overlooked but critical for outdoor UPS cabinets or humid maritime installations.
- Two-year limited warranty: Covers defects in materials and workmanship. Does not cover misuse (incorrect voltage charging), deep discharge damage, or physical damage. Keep receipts and documentation for warranty claims.
- Compact footprint 5.6" W × 6.8" H × 7.2" D: Designed to fit standard UPS battery modules and cabinet slots. Verify your UPS frame accepts the RBC55-CP form factor before ordering — different UPS models use proprietary cartridge shapes and connectors.
Integration & Compatibility
The RBC55-CP is a universal replacement cartridge; compatibility depends entirely on your UPS model. Confirm your UPS documentation specifies RBC55-CP or an equivalent 12V/18Ah sealed lead-acid battery module. Most common CyberPower UPS units (3kVA and smaller, and many mid-range models) ship with or accept the RBC55-CP. If your UPS uses a proprietary connector or batter tray, you may need an adapter cartridge — contact your UPS vendor's support team to confirm before purchase. The cartridge itself has no network connectivity or management interface; it is purely a passive energy storage device.
What's in the Box
2x 12V/18Ah sealed lead-acid battery cartridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the expected lifespan of the RBC55-CP?
A: Sealed lead-acid batteries typically deliver 3–5 years of usable service in a continuously float-charged UPS environment (standby mode). Cycle life — the number of charge/discharge cycles before capacity degrades to 80% — varies with depth of discharge and operating temperature. In your server room running at 68°F with shallow discharge cycles, expect closer to 5 years. In warmer or high-cycle environments, 3 years is realistic.
Q: Can I use the RBC55-CP in an outdoor UPS enclosure?
A: Yes, provided your enclosure maintains ambient temperatures within 32–104°F. If summer peaks exceed 104°F or winter dips below 32°F, battery capacity and lifespan will suffer. Many outdoor cabinets include thermal management (fans, insulation) to hold this range. Check your cabinet spec and confirm temperature monitoring is in place.
Q: How do I install the RBC55-CP in my UPS?
A: Turn off the UPS and unplug it from mains power. Open the battery access door (usually a sliding panel or clip-out tray). Slide the old cartridge(s) out, noting the terminal polarity (red = positive, black = negative). Slide the new RBC55-CP cartridge in until it seats fully in the connector. Verify the terminals make firm contact. Close the access panel, plug the UPS back in, and power it on. The UPS should run a brief self-test and display battery status. Do not force cartridges — if insertion resistance is high, the connector or tray alignment may be mismatched.
Q: Is the RBC55-CP NDAA-compliant?
A: The RBC55-CP is a passive battery cartridge with no embedded firmware, processing, or country-of-origin compliance documentation provided by CyberPower. For government procurement or NDAA Section 889 compliance, contact CyberPower directly with your contract requirements. Most passive batteries are compliant, but official verification is required for federal or defense work.
Q: What warranty does the RBC55-CP carry?
A: Two-year limited warranty covering manufacturing defects and capacity loss due to normal wear. The warranty does not cover incorrect charging voltage, external physical damage, water intrusion (even on sealed units if the seal is breached), or use outside the specified operating range (32–104°F, 0–90% humidity).
Q: Can I parallel or series-connect two RBC55-CP sets for more capacity?
A: The RBC55-CP cartridges are designed to install into your UPS's battery module as complete units. Do not attempt to wire multiple cartridges together outside the UPS unless you have UPS documentation explicitly permitting it. Incorrectly paralleling lead-acid cells can cause imbalanced charging and cell damage. Your UPS handles internal wiring — use the cartridge as a drop-in module only.
I've specified the RBC55-CP in dozens of surveillance and access control installations over the past five years, and the sealed lead-acid construction is a game-changer for facilities managers who hate maintenance. Each 12V/18Ah cartridge in the RBC55-CP pair is rated across a 32–104°F operating window and 0–90% humidity — critical specs if your UPS lives in a comms closet without climate control or an outdoor cabinet with seasonal temperature swings.
Technical Highlights:
- Sealed lead-acid topology: Zero hydrogen venting, no acid spillage risk. You can install the RBC55-CP in a confined server rack or outdoor pedestal cabinet without separate ventilation — a cost adder if you were planning vented flooded cells. Sealed batteries also don't corrode mounting hardware or attract moisture into the UPS frame the way old flooded designs do.
- 12V/18Ah per unit (2 supplied): 36Ah total capacity covers most sub-5kVA UPS frames. In parallel configuration (the standard for most CyberPower units), you get redundancy: if one cell fails mid-flight, the other still delivers partial ride-through. Single-cell failure is rare but has happened in my experience when installers skip the float-charge test after battery swap.
- Two-year limited warranty: Covers manufacturing defects and capacity loss due to normal wear in service. The catch: you must document the installation date and keep the UPS in float-charge mode. If you warehouse the RBC55-CP without powering the UPS for months, then suddenly swap it in, the warranty may not cover degradation. Always bring the UPS online and run a self-test immediately after battery installation.
Deployment Considerations:
- Temperature is your adversary. In climates where summer peaks routinely exceed 104°F (Arizona, California inland, parts of Texas), sealed lead-acid capacity drops 20–30% above that threshold. If your outdoor cabinet hits 115°F in July, the RBC55-CP will deliver fewer minutes of ride-through than the nameplate 18Ah suggests. Budget for thermal management (cabinet insulation, a small exhaust fan, or a temperature-triggered alert).
- The RBC55-CP has no self-reporting of state-of-charge or health. Unlike lithium alternatives, you won't get a battery-health alert through the UPS web interface. You must rely on your UPS's built-in battery test feature (usually a monthly self-test). If that test fails, the RBC55-CP may be near end-of-life and you'll discover it only when mains power actually drops.
The RBC55-CP is the right battery for surveillance and security installations in controlled indoor environments (server rooms, comms closets, access control rooms). It's economical, maintenance-free, and has a proven track record in the field. For outdoor cabinets in hot climates or high-cycle applications (frequent power cuts), consider lithium alternatives if your budget allows — they'll outlast sealed lead-acid by 2–3 years in those scenarios.
