APC Battery Cartridges

About APC Battery Cartridges

What is an APC battery cartridge?

APCRBC stands for APC Replacement Battery Cartridge — the part-numbering system APC by Schneider Electric uses for every factory-approved replacement battery pack across the Back-UPS, Smart-UPS, Smart-UPS X, Smart-UPS C, Smart-UPS SRT, and Smart-UPS Ultra families. Every APC UPS ships with its compatible APCRBC number printed on the unit label and listed in the user manual. That number is the only replacement APC and Schneider Electric guarantee to fit, hold rated capacity, and preserve warranty coverage.

An APCRBC cartridge is not a single battery — it's a pre-assembled module containing the correct number of sealed lead-acid cells (or, in the SRTL series, lithium-ion cells) wired to the correct voltage stack for the target UPS, terminated in the correct polarised connector, and shipped with a tested-date sticker.

This collection lists every APCRBC cartridge UPSPLUSBATTERY.CA stocks for the Canadian market — both genuine APC OEM and compatible aftermarket equivalents. For topology- or family-specific browsing, see APC Back-UPS replacement batteries, APC Smart-UPS replacement batteries, or APC Smart-UPS RT batteries. The full APC RBC catalog is at APC RBC batteries.

APCRBC numbering by UPS family

The unit label is the definitive reference. If your UPS shows APCRBC133, that's the part you need.

How to identify the right cartridge

Method 1: unit label

Side or rear of every APC UPS lists the model number and compatible APCRBC.

Method 2: front-panel LCD About menu

On Smart-UPS SMT, SMX, SMC, SRT, and SRTL with LCD: About → Battery displays the APCRBC part number directly.

Method 3: existing cartridge

Open the front battery door — cartridge label lists cell count, voltage, and Ah.

Genuine APC vs compatible aftermarket

Genuine APC: OEM cartridge manufactured to Schneider Electric spec, with factory tested-date sticker, full 2-year APC battery warranty, guaranteed PowerChute / AP9641 runtime-estimation compatibility. Required for in-warranty UPS.

Compatible aftermarket: Identical form factor, identical connector, identical voltage stack, built from reputable SLA cells (CSB, Yuasa, BB Battery, Panasonic). Typically 30–50 % less than genuine. 1-year UPSPLUSBATTERY warranty.

Lithium-ion SRTL packs are factory APC only.

How long do APCRBC cartridges last?

SLA: 3–5 years climate-controlled (20–25 °C). Lithium SRTL: 10 years rated. Replace promptly when PowerChute or the front-panel flags battery. When to replace UPS battery.

How to replace

Every current Smart-UPS and Back-UPS Pro APCRBC cartridge is hot-swappable. Procedure:

1. Confirm the APCRBC part number from the unit label, LCD, or user manual.
2. Order the correct cartridge.
3. Slide the front bezel off the UPS.
4. Disconnect the polarised battery plug.
5. Slide old cartridge out, new one in.
6. Reconnect the plug until it clicks.
7. Replace the bezel and reset install date via the front panel.

Read how to install UPS battery.

Warranty and support

Genuine APC: 2-year APC battery warranty. Compatible aftermarket: 1-year UPSPLUSBATTERY full-replacement. Coordinated through our Canadian team. Shipped from our Canadian warehouse. Replies within 1 business day.

FAQ

What's the difference between RBC and APCRBC?

None — both notations refer to the same part-numbering system. APC moved to the APCRBC prefix on newer cartridges; legacy parts retain RBC (e.g. RBC43, RBC55).

How do I find which cartridge fits my UPS?

Check the unit label or front-panel LCD About menu. Both display the APCRBC directly.

Aftermarket vs genuine?

For in-warranty UPS: genuine. For out-of-warranty: compatible aftermarket performs identically and costs 30–50 % less.

Hot-swap?

Yes on every current Smart-UPS and Back-UPS Pro.

Disposal?

SLA: municipal hazardous-waste or Call2Recycle. Lithium SRTL: certified lithium-battery recycler.

Battery warranty?

Genuine APC: 2-year APC. Aftermarket: 1-year UPSPLUSBATTERY full-replacement.