Battery Chargers and DC UPS Solutions
Powerbox PB256 SERIES DC-UPS / Battery Charger
The Powerbox PB256 Series DC-UPS and Battery Charger is a compact and dependable 138W power solution, trusted in over 70,000 installations to date across electronic security, access control, telecommunications, and water utility applications. Designed for long-term reliability and efficiency, it delivers uninterrupted DC power with intelligent b...
Read MoreThe Powerbox PB256 Series DC-UPS and Battery Charger is a compact and dependable 138W power solution, trusted in over 70,000 installations to date across electronic security, access control, telecommunications, and water utility applications. Designed for long-term reliability and efficiency, it delivers uninterrupted DC power with intelligent battery management for critical infrastructure.
Key features include independent current limiting for load and battery circuits, selectable low-voltage disconnect, and advanced alarm relays for real-time system monitoring. Natural convection cooling and an optional conformal coating enable reliable operation in wet or humid environments.
Available in 13.8Vdc (10A) and 27.6Vdc (5A) configurations, the PB256 Series meets AS/NZS 60950 safety standards and holds C-Tick EMC certification - making it the preferred DC-UPS solution for essential power backup across Australia and New Zealand.
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Features
- Battery Backup System: ensuring continuous power supply to DC loads during mains powered interruptions.
- DC-UPS functionality with seperate current limited battery and load terminals. This ensures both loads and battery are protected.
- Trusted in Security Applications: Proven reliability as the backbone for electronic security across Australia, powering critical access control systems and associated security equipment.
- Available in 13.8Vdc or 27.6Vdc outputs, suitable for 12V and 24V battery systems, respectively.
- Comprehensive Alarms: including DC-OK and Battery Low alarms with LED indicators and voltage-free changeover relay contacts for system monitoring.
- Protective Features: Incorporates battery low voltage disconnect, battery overload protection, and optional conformal coating for operation in moist environments.
Specifications
| INPUT | |
|---|---|
| Input Voltage | 190-.264Vac, or 190-.400Vdc |
| Frequency | 45 to 65 Hz |
| Input Current | 3A maximum |
| Inrush current | 15A on cold start |
| Line Regulation | 0.2% typical |
| ALARMS AND BATTERY FUNCTIONS | |
|---|---|
| Converter ON/OK alarm | Indicated by voltage-free changeover relay contacts & green LED: ON=OK |
| Battery low alarm | < 11.3Vdc: 12V Battery < 22.6Vdc: 24V Battery Indicated by voltage-free changeover relay contacts & green LED: ON=OK. |
| Low voltage disconnect | 10.8V (Typical for 12Vdc battery) 21.6V (Typical for 24Vdc battery) |
| Battery over-load protection | Electronic circuit breaker auto-reset |
| Battery to load voltage drop | 0.2 V (27.6V output) |
| OUTPUT | |
|---|---|
| Output Voltage | 13.8Vdc, 27.6Vdc |
| Output Power | 138W, See power derating curve |
| Output Current | 13.8Vdc: 10A 27.6Vdc: 5A See Selection Table |
| Load regulation | 2% typical |
| Ripple & Noise | 25 mVp-p (13.8Vdc output) 45mVp-p (27.6Vdc output) |
| Efficiency | > 80% |
| OPTIONAL FEATURES¹ | |
|---|---|
| Battery Charge Limit | Option BCL: Specify battery charge current based on battery size. |
| Heatsink | Option H: Supplementary heatsink |
| Conformal Coating | Option CC: Tropic protection for moist areas |
| PROTECTION | |
|---|---|
| Current limit type (Load circuit) | Constant current > LVD volts Foldback & hiccup < LVD volts |
| Short circuit protection | Indefinite, auto-resetting |
| Over-voltage protection | 15.5 to 19.5 V latching (13.8Vdc output) 31.5 to 39 V latching (27.6Vdc output) |
| Reverse polarity protection | Internal fuse |
| Isolation | Input to Output: 2.1Kvdc 1 min Output to Ground: 2.1Kvdc 1 min Output to Ground: 700Vdc 1 min |
| STANDARDS AND APPROVALS | |
|---|---|
| C-Tick | AS/NZS CISPR11 Group 1 Class A. |
| Safety | Complies with AS/NZS 60950, Class 1 |
| EMC | Emissions comply with AS/NZS CISPR11, Group 1, Class B. Complies with ACA EMC Scheme, C-Tick |
| ENVIRONMENTAL | |
|---|---|
| Operating temperature | 0 to 50°C ambient For derating, see curve in technical illustrations |
| Humidity | 5 to 90% relative humidity (non-condensing) |
| Over-temperature protection | Automatic & auto-resetting |
| Cooling requirement | Natural convection |
| Shock/Impact | 50G 11mS once each along x, y and z axis |
| MECHANICAL | |
|---|---|
| Input Connector | AC Mains 10A Class 1 IEC60320 power inlet |
| Load and Battery Connector | 4 way pluggable screw terminal block. Suitable for up to 1.5mm² wire |
| Alarms Connector | 6 way pluggable screw terminal block Suitable for up to 1.5mm² wire |
| Case size | 230 L x 93 W x 46 H (mm) |
| Weight | 850g |
| Security Cabinet | Option W: WMBB-C-S Wall Mount Box Black with battery Cables and tamper Switch View WMBB-C-S Security Cabinet |
Selection Table
| MODEL NUMBER | OUTPUT VOLTAGE | LOAD CURRENT | BATTERY CURRENT² | TOTAL CURRENT³ | TOTAL OUTPUT POWER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PB256-1210CML | 13.8Vdc | 8A | 2A | 10A | 138W |
| PB256-2405CML | 27.6Vdc | 4A | 1A | 5A | 138W |
¹ Example Ordering Code: PB256-1210CML-CC-H4, includes conformal coating, additional heatsink and 4A battery charge current limit
² Other optional BCL, Battery Charging current Limits available on request, factory set.
³ Total output current = sum of load and battery charging current.
Technical Drawings
Warranty & Returns
Warranty periods vary by product. Please refer to the Powerbox Warranty Policy for the applicable coverage period against manufacturing defects from date of purchase. For returns and RMA requests, please visit our RMA support page or contact our support team directly.
FAQs
The 13.8Vdc model (PB256-1210CML) delivers up to 8A to the load and 2A to the battery, making it suitable for 12V battery systems. The 27.6Vdc model (PB256-2405CML) delivers up to 4A to the load and 1A to the battery, designed for 24V battery systems. Both deliver the same 138W total power — select the model that matches your battery and load voltage requirements.
The PB256 uses separate current-limited terminals for the load and battery circuits. This means your connected equipment and your battery are each protected independently — a high-demand load cannot starve the battery of charge, and the battery cannot draw current away from the load. This design prevents both equipment damage and premature battery failure.
The LVD automatically disconnects the battery from the load when the battery voltage drops below a safe threshold during a mains outage. This prevents deep discharge, which is the most common cause of premature lead-acid battery failure. Protecting the battery with LVD significantly extends its service life and reduces replacement costs.
The PB256 includes relay alarm outputs for DC Output OK, Battery Fault, and Battery Low conditions, plus corresponding LED indicators on the unit. These alarms can be wired into building management systems, SCADA, or security monitoring platforms to provide real-time fault notification without requiring manual inspection of the unit.
The PB256 is compatible with standard sealed lead-acid (SLA), AGM, and gel batteries. The battery current is limited to 2A (12V models) or 1A (24V models), so it is best suited to batteries from around 7Ah up to 100Ah. For custom battery charging current requirements, the -XX suffix option allows non-standard charge current configuration — contact Powerbox to discuss your specific battery size.
The standard PB256 is designed for indoor chassis mounting. For installations in environments with high humidity, condensation, or exposure to airborne contaminants — such as industrial sites, water treatment facilities, or coastal locations — the optional conformal coating variant (-CC suffix) provides additional protection to the PCB and components. A temperature probe option (-T suffix) is also available for thermal monitoring in high-temperature environments.
The PB256 Series meets AS/NZS 60950 safety standards and holds C-Tick EMC certification, making it fully compliant for use in Australian and New Zealand installations. It is suitable for use in regulated industries including electronic security, access control, telecommunications infrastructure, and water utilities.
Start with your required output voltage — 13.8Vdc for 12V systems or 27.6Vdc for 24V systems. Then confirm your load current requirement does not exceed 8A (12V) or 4A (24V). Add the -CC suffix if conformal coating is needed, -T if a temperature probe is required, or -XX for a custom battery charge current. If you are unsure which configuration suits your application, contact our team at sales@powerbox.com.au for guidance.
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