1. Summary

Over the past several weeks, Spindle has responded to multiple customer sites where the internal battery in an APC Back-UPS 350 battery backup failed. In these cases, the failed battery caused the UPS to stop supplying power to the connected network equipment, resulting in an internal network outage at the site.

Spindle is asking all customers to inspect the APC and CyberPower UPS units at their sites and replace any battery that has reached the end of its service life, in line with the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Equipment Responsibility: Although these UPS units were purchased through Spindle, they are customer-owned equipment. Routine inspection and battery replacement are the responsibility of each site. This bulletin provides the information needed to complete that maintenance.

2. Background

The APC Back-UPS 350 supplied with Spindle systems is a small battery backup used by Spindle to protect on-site network systems, including network switches and PLC’s. It uses a sealed lead-acid battery that wears out over time, regardless of whether the site ever experiences a power outage.

Sites with on-site servers also have a server battery backup: a rack-mountable CyberPower CPS1500AVR or, for tower servers and sites without rack space, a tower APC Back-UPS RS 1500VA (BR1500G). These use the same sealed lead-acid battery technology and wear out the same way. A battery failure on either unit can cut power to the server without a proper shutdown.

• Expected Battery Life: APC rates its replacement battery cartridges for a service life of three to five years. CyberPower batteries should be planned on the same schedule.
• Environmental Factors: Lead-acid batteries age faster in warm environments. Units installed near dryers, boilers, or in poorly ventilated equipment rooms may reach the end of their life sooner than the rated range.
• Failure Behavior: A worn battery may show no obvious warning until the UPS is called on to switch to battery power. At that point, the unit can drop its connected equipment entirely, taking the network down with it.

3. Affected Equipment

Check the model number on the label located on the bottom or back of the UPS. Units covered by this bulletin are:

Note: The APC RBC2 also fits several related APC models, including the BK500 and BK500BLK. For the CyberPower CPS1500AVR, the correct cartridge depends on the serial number: the RB1270X4E fits units whose serial number begins with ‘BB.’ If your serial number begins with different letters, or the label shows a model not listed here, use CyberPower’s Battery Replacement Tool (link in Section 6) or contact Spindle Support before ordering.

Model Identification: Use the photos below to help identify which UPS models are installed at your site.

APC Back-UPS BK350Network UPS — uses RBC2		APC Back-UPS RS 1500VA (BR1500G)Tower server UPS — uses APCRBC124		CyberPower CPS1500AVRRack-mount server UPS — uses RB1270X4E

4. Required Action — Inspect Your UPS

1. Locate every APC Back-UPS and CyberPower UPS at your site, especially those powering network equipment (switches, plc’s) and servers.
2. Record the model number from the label on the bottom or back of the unit (for CyberPower units, also record the serial number) and confirm it appears in the table in Section 3.
3. Check for warning signs such as a replace-battery indicator, repeated audible chirping, a swollen or bulging case, or a unit that shuts off during a brief power flicker. Refer to the UPS user manual for the meaning of specific lights and alarms.
4. Determine the battery’s age. If the battery date is unknown, use the UPS purchase or installation date.
5. Replace the battery if it shows any warning sign or is three years old or older.
6. Consider replacing the entire UPS if the unit itself is showing its age (for example, it still shuts down or shows warnings after a new battery is installed). A new battery restores runtime only if the UPS electronics are still in good condition.

5. Replacement Battery Specifications

6. Where to Purchase

Spindle recommends genuine manufacturer replacement cartridges. They can be ordered from the following:

• APC RBC2 (BK350) — APC: https://www.apc.com/us/en/product/RBC2/apc-replacement-battery-cartridge-valve-regulated-leadacid-battery-7ah-12vdc-2year-warranty/
• APC RBC2 (BK350) — Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/APC-Replacement-Back-UPS-BK500BLK-RBC2/dp/B00004Z6TW
• APC APCRBC124 (BR1500G) — APC: https://www.se.com/us/en/product/APCRBC124/apc-replacement-battery-cartridge-for-smartups-line-interactive-24v-9ah-leadacid-battery-2year-repair-or-replace-warranty/
• APC APCRBC124 (BR1500G) — Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/APC-Replacement-SMC1000-2U-SMC1000-2UC-APCRBC124/dp/B004F08NSM
• CyberPower RB1270X4E (CPS1500AVR) — CyberPower: https://www.cyberpowersystems.com/product/ups/replacement-batteries/rb1270x4e/
• CyberPower RB1270X4E (CPS1500AVR) — Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/CyberPower-RB1270X4E-Replacement-Maintenance-Free-Installable/dp/B00GOU8U1G
• CyberPower Battery Replacement Tool: https://www.cyberpowersystems.com/battery-replacement-tool/

7. Replacement Procedure

The APC RBC2, APC APCRBC124, and CyberPower RB1270X4E are all designed for user replacement and ship with step-by-step instructions and are “hot swappable” meaning the unit does not have to be powered down for battery replacement. The general process is:

1. Open the battery compartment as shown in the included instructions.
2. Remove the old battery and disconnect its leads.
3. Connect the new battery following the polarity shown in the included instructions, then reinstall it and close the compartment.
4. Allow the battery to fully charge per APC’s instructions before relying on it for backup runtime.
5. Label the UPS with the battery replacement date.
6. Recycle the old battery using the prepaid return packaging. Do not place lead-acid batteries in the trash.

8. Questions and Support

If you have questions about this bulletin, contact Spindle Support.

• Email: Support@spindlelive.com or through the red question mark on Spindle Live.

Thank you for helping keep your site’s network reliable.