Table of Contents
- Why AGM battery backup for security and UPS
- What to compare: EA12-100, EA12-220, NP400-6
- Reading capacity in plain English, Ah and Wh
- How runtime changes with load
- Real-World Scenarios
- Worked examples, step-by-step
- Simple sizing worksheet
- Comparison summary and trade-offs
- Safe charging and float charging guidance
- Checklist
- Latest News & Trends
- How SolarElios Can Help
- How to choose between EA12-100, EA12-220, and NP400-6
- Final recommendations
- Call to action
Why AGM battery backup for security and UPS
For cameras, alarm panels, routers, small switches, access control, and emergency lights, a Reliable AGM Lead Acid Battery is a proven choice. AGM batteries are sealed, maintenance-free, and handle standby power duties well, making them suited for security camera battery backup, alarm panel battery needs, and as a router UPS battery in homes and small offices across Canada.
Fact: AGM batteries are valve regulated lead acid batteries that deliver reliable standby performance and are tolerant of lower temperatures when sized correctly.
What to compare: EA12-100, EA12-220, NP400-6
Altilium EA12-100, Altilium EA12-220, and Altilium NP400-6 are common sealed AGM choices. Below we compare their typical roles, runtime expectations, physical footprint, and trade-offs to help select the right model for a given standby power goal.
Here is a quick comparison table to read at a glance.
The table below shows best-for uses and broad runtime guidance, based on nominal capacity and typical small-load profiles.
| Model | Best for | Typical runtime range at a high level | Footprint / handling | Trade-offs |
| Altilium EA12-100 | Single router UPS battery, small alarm panel battery | 6 to 12 hours at very low standby loads, 1 to 3 hours at moderate loads | Compact, ~100 Ah size, easy to carry by one person | Good balance cost and size, limited for longer CCTV/NVR runtimes |
| Altilium EA12-220 | Larger single-battery UPS, small to medium CCTV plus NVR | 12 to 24 hours at low standby loads, 2 to 6 hours for moderate CCTV loads | Larger, heavier, needs two-person handling | Higher capacity, more expensive, more weight to manage |
| Altilium NP400-6 | Very compact, high-current 6V option, often used in telecom racks | Shorter runtime at low Ah rating, ideal for high discharge pulses | Small physical footprint, often used in series-parallel banks | Lower Ah per unit, requires series or parallel configuration for higher voltage or capacity |
Reading capacity in plain English, Ah and Wh
Amp-hours Ah tells you how many amps a battery can provide for one hour. Watt-hours Wh is energy, calculated as volts times amp-hours. For a 12 V, 100 Ah battery:
- Ah: 100 Ah means 1 amp for 100 hours, or 10 amps for 10 hours.
- Wh: 12 V x 100 Ah = 1200 Wh, which is the total stored energy, before losses.
Runtime depends on the load. If your router and ONT draw 10 W total, a 1200 Wh battery could theoretically run them for 120 hours, but real-world losses, inverter inefficiency, and recommended depth of discharge reduce that. For standby use, discharge depth of 50 to 80 percent is a practical planning range depending on battery health.
How runtime changes with load
Battery runtime falls as load increases. Roughly:
- Low loads (10s of watts) will produce many hours to days of runtime on EA12-220 or EA12-100.
- Moderate loads (100 to 300 W) will reduce runtime to hours.
- High loads above continuous ratings cause battery voltage to sag and reduce usable capacity.
Always size to realistic loads, not optimistic minimums.
Tip: For standby power, list every device and use its average watts, not peak, to estimate runtime. Include modem, router, NVR in the list, and allowance for the camera heaters in winter if applicable.
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: Home WiFi, router, ONT
A homeowner in Ontario wants 8 hours of standby for their router and optical network terminal ONT during storms. They measure combined draw at about 12 W. An Altilium EA12-100 sized to deliver 1200 Wh provides ample runtime at 50 percent depth of discharge, while allowing headroom for a small UPS converter. SolarElios helped confirm cabling and float charger settings.
Scenario 2: Small CCTV plus NVR
A townhouse owner runs four 4 W cameras and a 15 W NVR, about 31 W total. They need overnight backup, about 12 hours. The EA12-220 gives more usable Wh, meeting the 12-hour target at a reasonable depth of discharge, and fits in the security closet with proper ventilation.
Scenario 3: Small office network closet essentials
A small office wants routers, a switch, a VoIP gateway, and access control powered for 6 hours during outages. Total measured load is 85 W. Two EA12-100 batteries in parallel or one EA12-220 can be used, with choices made for footprint and budget. SolarElios provided the final configuration including a hybrid inverter/UPS and battery monitoring.
Worked examples, step-by-step
Assumptions used in these examples: inverter/UPS losses 10 percent, recommended usable depth of discharge 50 percent for long life, nominal voltage 12 V.
Example calculations use Wh for clarity.
- Home WiFi + router + ONT
- Measured load: 12 W
- Target runtime: 8 hours
- Energy need: 12 W x 8 h = 96 Wh
- Add 10 percent inverter loss = 106 Wh
- Required battery minimum at 12 V = 106 Wh, at 50 percent DoD, battery Wh needed = 212 Wh -> 12 V x Ah = 212 Wh, so Ah = 17.7 Ah
- Conclusion: Even a small 20 Ah AGM covers this, but EA12-100 is common and provides large margin for multiple outages or longer runtime.
- Small CCTV + NVR setup
- Cameras: 4 x 4 W = 16 W
- NVR: 15 W
- Total: 31 W
- Target runtime: 12 hours => 372 Wh
- Add 10 percent inverter loss = 410 Wh
- DoD 50 percent => battery needed = 820 Wh
- At 12 V, Ah = 820 / 12 = 68 Ah
- Conclusion: EA12-100 (100 Ah) comfortably covers this. EA12-220 gives extra margin for longer run or heating.
- Small office network closet essentials
- Router 15 W, small switch 20 W, VoIP gateway 10 W, access control 20 W -> total 65 W
- Target runtime: 6 hours => 390 Wh
- +10 percent loss = 429 Wh
- DoD 50 percent -> battery Wh = 858 Wh
- Ah at 12 V = 858 / 12 = 71.5 Ah
- Conclusion: One EA12-100 fits, EA12-220 offers extended runtime or lower DoD for longer life.
Simple sizing worksheet
1. List devices and measured watts each, then add to total W.
2. Multiply total W by hours of desired runtime to get required Wh.
3. Add 10 percent for inverter/UPS losses.
4. Divide by usable depth of discharge fraction (for 50 percent, divide by 0.5).
5. Convert to Ah by dividing Wh by system voltage (12 V typically).
6. Select battery model that meets or exceeds Ah, consider weight, footprint, and temperature performance.
Comparison summary and trade-offs
- Altilium EA12-100 is a versatile Reliable AGM Lead Acid Battery for most home router UPS battery and alarm panel battery tasks, with a good size-to-cost ratio.
- Altilium EA12-220 suits larger standby goals and multi-device CCTV + NVR setups, offering longer runtimes and lower relative depth of discharge during outages.
- Altilium NP400-6 is useful for compact telecom or rack-mounted battery banks, and is often used where 6 V modules are combined for voltage and capacity needs.
Warning: Do not mix old and new batteries in a bank, and avoid undersized wiring. Both reduce performance and can create safety hazards.
Safe charging and float charging guidance
- Use a compatible charger or UPS configured for AGM float charging profiles. Typical float voltage for 12 V AGM is about 13.5 to 13.8 V, but confirm manufacturer specs.
- Avoid extended overcharging, and do not use automotive chargers that lack AGM modes. For long-term standby, a proper float charger maintains voltage without excessive gassing.
- Temperature affects charging voltage, so if batteries operate in a very cold space, consider temperature compensation or a charger with compensation.
- Install a battery monitor or voltage meter to track state of charge and health.
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Undersized wiring between battery and load, causing voltage drop and heat.
- Poor ventilation in enclosed cabinets, which can raise temperature and reduce battery life.
- Mixing battery ages or different models in the same bank.
- Expecting multi-day runtimes from a single small AGM without proper sizing.
Checklist
- Confirm total steady-state watts for all devices to be supported
- Decide desired runtime hours and calculate Wh required
- Choose depth of discharge for longevity, commonly 50 to 80 percent for standby
- Select battery model with adequate Ah at 12 V, check EA12-100, EA12-220, NP400-6 options
- Verify charger/UPS float voltage matches AGM specs, and include temperature compensation if needed
- Use correct gauge wiring, proper fusing, and secure terminals
- Plan ventilation and physical handling, consider weight and mounting
Latest News & Trends
Battery standards, energy storage incentives, and hybrid rooftop systems continue to shape backup power choices. Here are current trends to watch as you plan standby power for security and UPS functions.
- Increasing interest in hybrid inverters that integrate solar charging with UPS behavior for extended standby power in remote or off-grid setups.
- Greater adoption of battery monitoring and cloud analytics to spot ageing cells early and ensure reliable security camera battery backup performance.
- Evolving standards and safety requirements for energy storage are prompting installers to prioritize certified AGM and battery systems.
External resources for standards and guidance:
- Natural Resources Canada (https://natural-resources.canada.ca/)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (https://www.nrel.gov/)
- UL Solutions (https://www.ul.com/)
- CSA Group (https://www.csagroup.org/)
How SolarElios Can Help
SolarElios supplies Altilium AGM batteries and the supporting accessories and cabling across Canada, with local engineers and technicians who help pick the right capacity and setup. We offer solar panels, hybrid inverters, UPS integration, battery monitoring, and installation guidance. SolarElios can right-size the system from your load list, recommend the most cost-effective option for your standby power goals, and provide competitive pricing and delivery from our Canadian inventory.
Key Takeaways:
- Size AGM batteries using Wh and expected load, not optimistic guesses
- EA12-100 is great for router UPS battery and small alarm panel battery roles
- EA12-220 offers longer runtimes for CCTV and multi-device setups
- NP400-6 works well in compact telecom banks, but may require configuration for higher voltage or capacity
- Safe charging, correct wiring, and avoiding mixed-age batteries are essential for reliability
How to choose between EA12-100, EA12-220, and NP400-6
- If your main goal is a router UPS battery or small alarm panel battery, start with EA12-100 for cost and footprint efficiency. Use EA12-220 when you need more runtime for CCTV or multiple devices. Choose NP400-6 where space and rack constraints make 6 V modules preferable, and plan series-parallel wiring.
Final recommendations
Document your loads, select a realistic depth of discharge, and pick a model that gives margin for future additions and temperature effects. Use proper float charging and monitoring to keep the battery healthy. For Canadian customers, confirm cold-weather readiness and use locally supported suppliers for replacement and warranty support.
Call to action
For help picking between Altilium EA12-100, Altilium EA12-220, or Altilium NP400-6 for your security camera battery backup, alarm panel battery, or router UPS battery needs, contact SolarElios. Our team will run the numbers, recommend the right capacity, and supply batteries and accessories from our Canadian inventory.
About Solarelios
Solarelios supplies Canadian customers with complete solar and backup solutions, including solar panels, hybrid inverters, batteries, and racking through an authorized dealer network. We support design, supply, and installation with local expertise and stocked inventory.
Chat with us now Contact us today.