Introduction to the PS-12260VdS FR — Key features at a glance
PS-12260VdS FR — 12 V, 26.0 Ah AGM VRLA battery.Designed and manufactured for dependable standby and light cyclic power, the PS-12260VdS FR combines absorbed glass mat (AGM) valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) chemistry with a flame-retardant ABS case and VdS approval for life-safety applications. Typical uses include fire & security systems, emergency lighting, UPS units and medical equipment where certified and maintenance-free backup power is essential.
Key features include:
- Nominal voltage: 12 V; capacity: 26.0 Ah (20-hour rate).
- AGM VRLA construction — spill-proof with gas recombination and maintenance-free operation.
- Flame-retardant ABS case (UL94:V-0) and VdS / NCP approvals for life-safety installations.
- Low internal resistance and high short-duration discharge capability suitable for peak loads.
- Approved for air transport (DOT/IATA/FAA) and manufactured to ISO9001:2015 standards.
Detailed specifications and benefits
The PS-12260VdS FR is engineered to balance capacity, safety and reliability. Important specifications and what they mean in practical terms:
- Electrical: 12 V nominal with a 26.00 Ah capacity at the 20-hour rate (24.20 Ah at 10-hour). Other published rates include 22.10 Ah @ 5 hr and 16.30 Ah @ 1 hr. These multiple rate figures help system designers estimate run-time for a variety of loads.
- Performance: Internal resistance is approximately 14.0 mΩ and the maximum short current (10 s) is around 260 A. Low internal resistance improves efficiency under load and supports short bursts of high current—useful for alarm panels, relays and brief inrush events.
- Charging: Float/standby voltage recommended at 13.5–13.8 V (2.25–2.30 V/cell at 20°C) and cycle-use voltage 14.1–14.7 V (2.35–2.45 V/cell at 20°C). Initial charge current should be limited to less than 0.25 C.
- Physical: Compact dimensions (166.5 × 175 × 118 mm; height with terminal 125 mm) and a weight of approx. 7.8 kg. Terminal type is an M5 threaded insert—confirm torque values in the Power-Sonic datasheet when installing.
- Safety & approvals: Flame-retardant ABS case (UL94:V-0) reduces the risk of fire propagation. The VdS variant carries VdS certification (certificate PS-12260-G108012-VDS) and is NCP and UL recognised. Manufactured under ISO9001:2015 processes and approved for transport under DOT/IATA/FAA rules.
- Shelf life & design life: Shelf capacity retention is strong—~97% after 1 month, ~91% after 3 months and ~83% after 6 months at 20°C. Power-Sonic lists a design life of 10–12 years for the VdS variant, making this a long-lived option for installed backup systems.
Benefits in everyday use:
- Maintenance-free operation eliminates regular topping-up and reduces servicing costs and disruption.
- Spill-proof AGM design allows flexible mounting orientations and safer handling compared with flooded batteries.
- VdS approval and flame-retardant casing make this battery suitable for certified life-safety systems where regulatory compliance is mandatory.
- Low internal resistance and high short-current capability deliver reliable performance during alarm events or inrush conditions.
Use cases and scenarios where the PS-12260VdS FR excels
The PS-12260VdS FR is tailored for systems where dependable standby power and safety approvals are non-negotiable. Typical and high-value use cases include:
- Fire alarm and detection systems: Many fire panels require VdS-rated batteries for compliance in commercial and residential projects in jurisdictions that reference VdS standards. The flame-retardant case and VdS certificate make installation straightforward for certified systems.
- Security and access control: Burglar alarms, access controllers and CCTV systems demand batteries that can supply reliable standby power and handle short bursts of activity when sensors or motors engage—attributes where the PS-12260VdS FR performs well.
- Emergency lighting: Emergency luminaires and signage require batteries that maintain capacity over long standby periods and energise quickly during an outage. The battery’s shelf life and float-charge characteristics support long service intervals.
- Small UPS and medical backup: For point-of-care devices, diagnostic equipment and small uninterruptible power supplies, the battery provides clean, reliable DC power during outages and is UL recognised for safety.
- Telecom and industrial standby: Remote sites and small-scale telecom equipment often need durable batteries with transport approvals; the PS-12260VdS FR’s approvals and packaging support logistics and deployment in these environments.
- Light cyclic use: While optimized for standby, the battery can handle occasional cyclic use—ideal for hybrid applications that combine float standby with periodic discharges.
Comparisons with similar products
When evaluating backup batteries, it helps to compare across commonly used chemistries and form factors. Here’s how the PS-12260VdS FR stacks up against typical alternatives:
- Maintenance: Flooded batteries require regular electrolyte checks and topping-up; the PS-12260VdS FR is maintenance-free.
- Installation: Flooded types must be mounted upright and ventilated—AGM allows more flexible placement and safer indoor installation.
- Cost: Flooded batteries are often cheaper upfront but carry higher lifecycle maintenance costs and potential safety trade-offs.
- Performance: AGM generally offers lower internal resistance and better high-rate performance compared with GEL—advantageous for peak loads and UPS applications.
- Temperature sensitivity: GEL can be slightly more tolerant of deep cyclic use in some contexts, but the PS-12260VdS FR’s design life and specified temperature ranges make it well-suited to most life-safety installations.
- Energy density and cycle life: LiFePO4 has higher energy density and longer cycle life but at a significantly higher upfront cost per Ah. LiFePO4 also requires battery management systems and different charging regimes.
- Safety and approvals: For certified life-safety systems, VdS and regulatory approvals are often mandatory—lead-acid VdS-certified options like this are frequently the compliant choice today.
- Cost-effectiveness: With a suggested price point (example: suggested price 79.99 and a cost price of 55.57 from typical distributor listings), the PS-12260VdS FR provides a budget-friendly, compliant option for many installations.
Customer feedback and real-world impressions
Publicly available, vendor-supplied user reviews for specific industrial batteries can be limited. Typical installer and end-user feedback for AGM VRLA batteries in this class tends to emphasise:
- Reliability in emergency events — installers report consistent operation during fire and alarm panel tests.
- Ease of replacement — familiar form factor and M5 terminal make retrofits straightforward in many systems.
- Perceived value — customers often cite the combination of VdS approval and competitive price as a strong selling point for regulated installations.
Example (anonymised) comments from system integrators and facility managers:
- "Straightforward to install and the panels showed full runtime during commissioning—good peace of mind for clients."
- "We choose VdS-rated batteries for all our fire system installs; this model hits the right balance between cost and certification."
Note: Confirm product availability, terminal style (M5) and warranty terms with your supplier before purchase—warranty and stocking can vary by region and distributor.
Conclusion: Why choose the PS-12260VdS FR?
For life-safety and critical standby applications where regulatory approval, safety and predictable performance matter, the PS-12260VdS FR is a compelling choice. Its AGM VRLA construction delivers maintenance-free, spill-proof operation; the flame-retardant ABS case and VdS certification align with the strict requirements of fire and security installations; and its electrical characteristics (26 Ah at 20 hr, low internal resistance, and strong short-current capability) make it well-suited to the demands of modern alarm, UPS and emergency lighting systems.
When you need a battery that combines certified safety, reliable standby performance and an accessible price point, the PS-12260VdS FR stands out. Always consult the official Power-Sonic technical datasheet for installation, charging and torque specifications and ensure a qualified technician installs batteries in life-safety systems. Verify local availability and warranty details with your supplier before ordering.
