Short answer: to extend runtime on a PowerShield UPS, add an external battery bank (extended battery module, EBM) matched to the UPS model. The Centurion RT takes the PSRTBB6, PSRTBB8, PSRTBB12, PSRTBB16 or 20-battery bank (PSCERBB20); the Commander RT 2000VA and 3000VA take the PSRTBB8 and PSRTBB12. PowerShield's Centurion Extendable sheet says a Centurion RT 2000VA at a 1500VA server load runs 18 minutes alone, 67 minutes with one battery bank and 101 minutes with two; its full UPS run chart gives 16, 61 and 111 minutes for the same set-up.
Quick answer: find your UPS in the matching chart below, buy that bank, connect it with the supplied DC cable and update the UPS battery setting. SafeGuard, Defender, Commander Tower, Commander RT 1100VA and Centurion RT LiFePO4 models are not expandable. ARC IP Networks is a trusted PowerShield supplier in Australia: genuine stock at competitive prices, with the full PowerShield Australian warranty, Australia-wide delivery and trade pricing.
Which battery bank fits which UPS: at a glance
Swipe the table sideways to compare all models →
| UPS | Battery bank | Batteries per bank | Bank size | Cartridges in the bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centurion RT 1000VA (PSCERT1000), PSCERT1500 | PSRTBB6 | 6 x 12 V 9 Ah | 2U, 480 mm deep, 22 kg | PSBC3 x 2 |
| Commander RT 2000VA (PSCRT2000), PSCERT2000SB | PSRTBB8 | 8 x 12 V 9 Ah | 2U, 480 mm deep, 25 kg | PSBC4 x 2 |
| Commander RT 3000VA (PSCRT3000), PSCERT2000, PSCERT3000 | PSRTBB12 | 12 x 12 V 9 Ah | 2U, 600 mm deep, 42.7 kg | PSBC6 x 2 |
| Centurion RT 6000VA Long Run (PSCERT6000L), PSCERT10KL | PSRTBB16 | 16 | 2U, 733 mm deep, 54 kg | n/a |
| PSCERT6000L, PSCERT10KL | PSCERBB20 (PSRTBB20 in the chart) | 20 x 12 V 9 Ah, 10-year design life | 3U, 580 mm deep, 64 kg | n/a |
Matching and cartridges: PowerShield Battery Pack Selection Guide and PSRTBB quick guide. Sizes and weights: PowerShield product pages.
What a PowerShield battery bank does
A battery bank is a separate 2U or 3U case of sealed 12 V 9 Ah batteries that plugs into the UPS's external battery connector. It adds runtime alongside the UPS's internal batteries; it does not replace them. PowerShield's guide puts the rule simply: the number in the part number is the number of batteries in the pack, so the PSRTBB6 has 6 and the PSRTBB20 has 20.
Two things make the Centurion RT the natural base for long runtime. PowerShield calls it its highest single-phase power density UPS, a true online double-conversion design that "can support larger loads than UPS products of an equal VA rating". And it has a standard extra-large charger, which PowerShield says ensures rapid recharge times when you add battery banks; PowerShield's product data lists 1.25 A on the Centurion RT against 1 A on the Commander RT. The Commander RT 2kVA and 3kVA models are, in PowerShield's words, "expandable to include an additional battery bank".
The official PowerShield battery pack matching chart
Reproduced from PowerShield's Battery Pack Selection Guide ("POWERSHIELD UPS EXTERNAL BATTERY PACK MATCHING CHART"). Where a UPS appears twice, either bank suits it.
Centurion and Commander rack/tower (RT) UPS models
| UPS model | Battery bank model |
|---|---|
| PSCERT1000 | PSRTBB6 |
| PSCRT2000 | PSRTBB8 |
| PSCERT2000SB | PSRTBB8 |
| PSCRT3000 | PSRTBB12 |
| PSCERT2000 | PSRTBB12 |
| PSCERT3000 | PSRTBB12 |
| PSCERT6000L | PSRTBB16 |
| PSCERT10KL | PSRTBB16 |
| PSCERT6000L | PSRTBB20* |
| PSCERT10KL | PSRTBB20* |
* Printed as PSRTBB20 in the chart. PowerShield sells the 20-battery, 3U bank for the PSCERT6000L and PSCERT10KL as the PSCERBB20.
Replaceable clamshell battery cartridges for RT models
| UPS or battery bank model | Replacement battery cartridge |
|---|---|
| PSCRT1100 | PSBC2 |
| PSCERT1000 | PSBC3 |
| PSRTBB6 external battery pack | PSBC3 (x2) |
| PSCRT2000 | PSBC4 |
| PSCERT2000SB | PSBC4 |
| PSRTBB8 external battery pack | PSBC4 (x2) |
| PSCRT3000 | PSBC6 |
| PSCERT2000 | PSBC6 |
| PSCERT3000 | PSBC6 |
| PSRTBB12 external battery pack | PSBC6 (x2) |
Centurion Tower UPS models, single phase input/output
| UPS model | Battery bank model |
|---|---|
| PSCE1000 | PSCEBB6 |
| PSCE2000 | PSCEBB12 |
| PSCE3000 | PSCEBB12 |
| PSCE2000 | PSCEBB18CH |
| PSCE3000 | PSCEBB18CH |
| PSCE6000 | PSCEBB40 |
| PSCE10K | PSCEBB40 |
| PSCE6000 | PSCEBB60CH |
| PSCE10K | PSCEBB60CH |
Centurion Tower models, 3/3, 3/1 and 1/1 phase input/output
| UPS model | Battery bank model |
|---|---|
| PSCE10K | PSCE10KL3-1 | PSCE10K3-3 | PSCEBB40 |
| PSCE20K | PSCE20KL3-1 | PSCE20KL3-3 | PSCEBB40 |
| PSCE10K | PSCE10KL3-1 | PSCE10K3-3 | PSCEBB60CH |
| PSCE20K | PSCE20KL3-1 | PSCE20KL3-3 | PSCEBB60CH |
Source: PowerShield Battery Pack Selection Guide. Centurion Tower battery banks (PSCEBB) are available on request.
Two models are matched outside the chart. The Centurion RT 1500VA (PSCERT1500) is not printed on it, but PowerShield's PSRTBB quick guide and product page pair it with the PSRTBB6. The Commander RT 1100VA (PSCRT1100) appears only in the cartridge table: it is not expandable.
How much runtime does a battery bank add?
PowerShield publishes two sets of figures for the Centurion RT 2000VA with PSRTBB12 banks at 1500VA. Its "Not getting enough backup time?" flyer (Centurion Extendable sheet) and 2023 training deck give one; its full UPS run chart gives another. The flyer states its basis: "Based on a standard server load of 1500VA." The run chart calculates load at a 0.7 power factor under optimal conditions.
| Configuration | Batteries in total | Extendable sheet and training deck | PowerShield run chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centurion RT 2000VA (PSCERT2000) alone | 6 | 18 min | 16 min |
| + 1 battery bank (PSRTBB12) | 18 | 67 min | 61 min |
| + 2 battery banks (2 x PSRTBB12) | 30 | 101 min | 111 min |
Runtimes at 1500VA from the two PowerShield sources named in each column; they are not mixed. The flyer's picture labels the units PSCERT2000 and PSRTBB12. Battery counts from PowerShield product data (6 internal, 12 per PSRTBB12).
The sources differ by a few minutes, so plan on the lower figure. Both agree on the big point: one PSRTBB12 roughly quadruples runtime at this load (18 to 67 minutes in the flyer, 16 to 61 in the run chart), and a second bank adds another 34 (flyer) or 50 (run chart) minutes. PowerShield's training material lists the three things that set backup time: the UPS capacity, the number of batteries and the equipment load. For every other UPS, module and load, see our PowerShield UPS runtime chart.
How to size a UPS and battery banks for the runtime you need
PowerShield's training deck asks five questions before choosing a UPS. We use the same list when we quote:
- Location: metro or regional, and how stable the mains is.
- Electrical load: the real watts of everything on the UPS. The PSCERT2000 is rated 2000VA / 1800 W, so a 1500VA server load sits well inside it.
- Rackmount or tower: every RT UPS and PSRTBB bank works either way.
- Backup time needed: long enough to ride through the outage or shut down cleanly, plus margin for battery ageing.
- How critical the equipment is: critical loads point to the online Centurion RT.
Then pick an expandable UPS sized on watts, match its bank from the chart and decide how many banks you need. PowerShield's run chart lists minutes for every expandable UPS with one or two modules from 100VA to 10,000VA: read it in our runtime chart guide, or ask us to read it for your load. Our UPS sizing guide covers VA, watts and headroom in detail.
Plan the rack space and weight
Banks are heavy: from 22 kg for the PSRTBB6 to 64 kg for the PSCERBB20. Mount them at the bottom of the rack on rails such as the PSRK (80 kg rated, for 470 to 780 mm deep racks) or the PSRK1100 for deeper racks. A Centurion RT 2000VA with two PSRTBB12 banks takes 6U and runs to about 112 kg in total (26.5 kg plus 2 x 42.7 kg). Check the floor or cabinet rating as well as the rack depth: the PSRTBB12 is 600 mm deep and the PSRTBB16 733 mm.
Connecting a battery bank
From PowerShield's PSRTBB quick guide:
- Check the plug colour. Each bank ships with a DC battery cable whose Anderson plug is colour coded: red for the PSRTBB6, grey for the PSRTBB8 and blue for the PSRTBB12.
- Daisy chain. Connect the UPS to the first bank, then chain further banks with additional cables.
- Update the runtime display. On the UPS front panel, open the battery Ah menu and raise it from the 9 Ah default by 18 Ah for each bank connected, so the LCD shows the correct runtime.
- Do not connect the RJ11 detection cable to the SNMP card: PowerShield warns this damages the UPS and the network card.
- Storage: charge a bank for 6 hours before storing it, and keep it covered and upright in a cool, dry place.
When the batteries in a bank reach end of life, replace them with the pair of clamshell cartridges from the chart rather than the whole bank. Our UPS battery replacement guide lists the right battery or cartridge for every PowerShield model.
Models that cannot take a battery bank
If long runtime matters, start in an expandable family. PowerShield lists these as not expandable: the SafeGuard, the Defender tower and Defender Rackmount, the Commander Tower (PSCM1100, PSCM2000), the Commander RT 1100VA (PSCRT1100) and the Centurion RT LiFePO4 (PSLCERT1000, PSLCERT2000, PSLCERT3000). For those, the only way to more runtime is a larger UPS or a lighter load. The Centurion Tower (PSCE1000 to PSCE6000) has its own PSCEBB banks, shown in the chart above.
PowerShield battery banks and expandable UPSs
Live Australian pricing (inc. GST) and availability are shown on each product page.
Online 1800 W rack/tower UPS; expands with PSRTBB12.
Online 2700 W rack/tower UPS; expands with PSRTBB12.
Line-interactive pure sine 2U UPS; expands with PSRTBB12.
Buy PowerShield UPSs and battery banks from ARC IP Networks
ARC IP Networks is a trusted PowerShield supplier in Australia: genuine stock at competitive prices, with the full PowerShield Australian warranty, Australia-wide delivery and trade pricing.
- Genuine PowerShield stock with the PowerShield Australian warranty, and warranty and RMA questions handled locally by our team.
- Australia-wide delivery, or free pickup from 6 George Street, Blackburn VIC 3130.
- Trade accounts for installers, integrators and MSPs, plus project and volume pricing on larger jobs.
- Pre-sales help on 1300 100 440 (Mon to Fri, 9 to 5 Melbourne time) or info@arcip.com.au.
We quote the UPS, battery banks, cartridges, rails and network card as one set, so the parts match. Installers and IT providers get trade pricing; rack, data room and multi-site jobs get project pricing. Call 1300 100 440 or request a quote.
See the full PowerShield range at ARC IP Networks.
Common questions
Straight answers from the ARC IP Networks team. Last reviewed October 2026.
The standard Centurion RT 2000VA (PSCERT2000) takes the PSRTBB12, the same bank as the PSCERT3000 and the Commander RT 3000VA. The Centurion RT 2000VA Short Base (PSCERT2000SB) takes the PSRTBB8.
PowerShield's Centurion Extendable sheet, based on a standard server load of 1500VA, gives a Centurion RT 2000VA 18 minutes alone, 67 minutes with one PSRTBB12 and 101 minutes with two. PowerShield's run chart gives 16, 61 and 111 minutes for the same set-up at 1500VA.
PowerShield's quick guide says to connect the UPS to the first bank and daisy chain further banks with additional cables, and its runtime example uses two banks on a Centurion RT 2000VA. Ask us to confirm the limit and the runtime for your model and load.
No. PowerShield lists the Commander RT 1100VA, the Defender range, the Commander Tower, the SafeGuard and the Centurion RT LiFePO4 as not expandable. Only the Commander RT 2000VA and 3000VA and the lead-acid Centurion models take battery banks.
PowerShield's matching chart prints the 20-battery bank for the PSCERT6000L and PSCERT10KL as PSRTBB20; PowerShield sells it as the PSCERBB20, a 3U bank of 20 x 12 V 9 Ah batteries with a 10-year design life.
Yes. PowerShield's quick guide says to raise the battery Ah setting on the UPS front panel from the 9 Ah default by 18 Ah for each bank, so the LCD shows the correct runtime.
From ARC IP Networks. ARC IP Networks is a trusted PowerShield supplier in Australia: genuine stock at competitive prices, with the full PowerShield Australian warranty, Australia-wide delivery and trade pricing. Call 1300 100 440 for trade or project pricing.
Need a set runtime for a rack or site?
Tell us the load in watts and the minutes you need; we will match the PowerShield UPS, battery banks and rails and quote trade or project pricing.
Related guides
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