Hardwired Alarm System Backup Batteries
Just about everything in a security alarm system has a battery as backup power so that when your electricity goes out your alarm system keeps working.
Wireless alarm systems have their backup batteries built in but wired alarm systems typically use a rechargeable 12V sealed lead-acid (SLA) battery with F1 terminals that is sold separately from the alarm system.
Alarm System Battery Sizes
Larger batteries can store more power and smaller batteries can store less. The larger your backup battery is the longer your system will continue running when the power is out.
The amount of power a battery can store is measured by it’s Amp-hour (Ah) rating. Most wired alarm products call for a backup battery in the range of 4Ah to 8Ah.
You can usually get away with using a smaller battery than specified but then your battery won’t last as long when the power is out. You can also get away with using a larger battery than specified but then it might be too big to fit in your panel box.
Batteries with the same Amp-hours tend to have (close to) the same physical size/dimensions, making it easy to replace batteries with different brands. 12V SLA F1 battery sizes commonly used in alarm systems usually have these dimensions.
| Amp-hours | Width (w) x Depth (d) x Height (h) |
|---|---|
| 4 - 5 Ah | 3.54" (w) x 2.76" (d) x 4.02" (h) |
| 7 - 9 Ah | 5.94" (w) x 2.56" (d) x 3.70" (h) |
| 12 Ah | 5.94" (w) x 3.86" (d) x 3.70" (h) |
| 15 - 18 Ah | 7.13" (w) x 2.99" (d) x 6.57" (h) |
Check the dimensions on a battery before you buy but it will probably be very close to these dimensions.
Surety Products That Need Batteries
IQ Pro
The IQ Pro specifies up to a 17 Ah battery but the space in the box where the battery goes will only fit up to a 7 - 9 Ah battery. If you use a 17 Ah battery it may have to go outside the box.
The IQ Pro battery specification is:
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Battery type | Sealed, rechargeable lead acid |
| Battery charge current | 350 mA (min) / 700 mA (max) to charge 12 VDC lead-acid batteries |
| Low battery threshold | 11.4 VDC |
| Battery cutoff level | 9.6 VDC ± 2% |
| Standby battery | Only use the battery rated 12 VDC 17 Ah / 14 Ah / 7 Ah / 4 Ah The energy level of the battery when it is charged is 100% 24-hour standby time and 5-minute alarm time for UL Home Health Care applications and ULC Security Level II applications. |
| Battery box dimensions | 6.44" (w) x 2.75" (d) x 4.25" (h) |
IQ Hardwire PowerG
The IQ Hardwire PowerG specifically calls for a 7 Ah battery and the box is designed to fit just that.
The IQ Hardwire PowerG (PG9WLSHW8) battery specification is:
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Battery type | Sealed, rechargeable lead acid |
| Battery charging voltage and current | 13.7 VDC, 360 mA |
| Low battery threshold | 11.4 VDC |
| Battery cutoff level | 9.6 VDC ± 2% |
| Standby battery | Only use the battery rated 12 VDC/ 7 Ah. The energy level of the battery when it is charged is 100% 24-hour standby time and 5-minute alarm time for UL and ULC residential fire applications and ULC Security Level II applications. |
| Battery box dimensions | 6" (w) x 2.56" (d) x 4" (h) |
Where To Get Security Alarm Batteries
Alarm system batteries are heavy and expensive to ship, and they’re generic. As long as you’re using a battery with the right specs, it doesn’t matter which brand you use.
For these reasons, Surety doesn’t stock a variety of battery sizes. We carry a small battery and we only have one size. It’s usually easier and cheaper to get them locally, from a store near you.
Many hardware stores, big box stores, and battery stores have alarm system batteries that you can pick up locally. Some even ship to your house for free. Here are examples of stores that carry alarm system batteries.
If you’re not comfortable shopping and comparing specs, the Universal Power Group (UPG) models UB1250 and UB1270 are what we’ve used the most at Surety. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re better than other brands. UltraTech, Power-Sonic, EaglePicher, Sigma, and Yuasa are also popular security alarm battery brands. Mighty Max brand batteries appear to be the lowest cost and, as far as we know, work just fine.