Front Terminal Battery for Telecom: 12V FT Series Procurement Guide for BTS & Data Center (2026)
For telecom system integrators and data center operators, the front terminal (FT) battery is the standard form factor for 19-inch and 23-inch rack-mounted battery installations. The FT design places both terminals on the front of the battery, allowing the battery to be installed and serviced from the front of the rack — without the need to access the rear of the rack for cable connections. This design dramatically reduces the floor space required for battery installation and simplifies the maintenance workflow.
What Is a Front Terminal Battery?
A front terminal battery is a 12V VRLA battery (either AGM or gel) with both positive and negative terminals located on the front face of the battery. The terminals are typically M6 or M8 female threads, accessible with a standard wrench from the front of the rack. The battery case dimensions are standardized to fit 19-inch or 23-inch equipment racks, with the typical width being 440–445 mm and the height being 4U (177 mm) or 5U (222 mm) in standard rack configurations.
CHISEN 12V FT Battery Range
| Model | Voltage | Capacity (C10) | Length | Width | Height | Weight | Terminal | Rack Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12V 50Ah FT | 12V | 50Ah | 277 mm | 106 mm | 222 mm | 17.5 kg | M6 | 5U / 19″ |
| 12V 75Ah FT | 12V | 75Ah | 562 mm | 115 mm | 188 mm | 26.0 kg | M6 | 4U / 23″ |
| 12V 100Ah FT | 12V | 100Ah | 506 mm | 110 mm | 222 mm | 32.0 kg | M6 | 5U / 19″ |
| 12V 100Ah FT (long) | 12V | 100Ah | 558 mm | 125 mm | 222 mm | 35.0 kg | M8 | 5U / 23″ |
| 12V 150Ah FT | 12V | 150Ah | 558 mm | 125 mm | 312 mm | 49.0 kg | M8 | 7U / 23″ |
| 12V 200Ah FT | 12V | 200Ah | 558 mm | 125 mm | 312 mm | 62.0 kg | M8 | 7U / 23″ |
Standard 48V Telecom String Configurations
The standard 48V telecom battery string is 4 × 12V batteries in series. With FT batteries, the 4 batteries are stacked vertically in a single rack, and the string occupies 16–28U depending on the FT model selected.
Data Center UPS Application
For data center UPS installations, FT batteries are typically configured in higher-voltage strings (192V to 480V) to match the UPS DC bus voltage. The standard configurations are 16, 20, 32, or 40 × 12V batteries in series depending on the UPS DC bus voltage.
Pricing for Telecom and Data Center Procurement
| Model | 100 units | 500 units | 1,000 units | 5,000 units (40HQ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12V 50Ah FT | $98 | $92 | $87 | $80 |
| 12V 75Ah FT | $135 | $127 | $120 | $112 |
| 12V 100Ah FT | $168 | $158 | $150 | $140 |
| 12V 100Ah FT (long) | $182 | $170 | $162 | $150 |
| 12V 150Ah FT | $245 | $230 | $218 | $202 |
| 12V 200Ah FT | $310 | $290 | $275 | $255 |
For a typical 4-string telecom BTS configuration (16 × 12V 100Ah FT), the per-site battery cost is 16 × $150 = $2,400 at the 1,000-unit tier. For a 100-site regional rollout, the total battery cost is $240,000.
FT vs Top-Terminal: Decision Framework
| Installation | Recommended Form Factor | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Wall-mounted telecom cabinet | FT | Front access, limited rear space |
| 19-inch rack (data center) | FT | Front access, modular scalability |
| 23-inch rack (telecom) | FT | Front access, modular scalability |
| Floor-standing battery rack (large site) | Either | Top terminal may be cheaper |
| Outdoor enclosure (street cabinet) | FT | Front access, weather sealed |
| Containerized power solution | FT | Modular, front access |
Lead Time, MOQ, and Warranty
Standard 12V FT production orders run on a 20-day lead time for orders under 1,000 units and 30–35 days for full container loads. MOQ is 100 units per model for standard SKUs; custom branding requires 500-unit MOQ and a 45-day lead time. Warranty is 24 months from B/L date for manufacturing defects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 12V FT batteries be used in parallel strings?
Yes. Multiple 12V FT strings can be paralleled to increase the total capacity. The strings must use identical batteries, and the parallel connection must use equal-length cables to ensure even current sharing.
What is the maximum FT battery string voltage?
Up to 58V (4 × 12V FT in series) is the standard telecom configuration. For higher voltage, multiple 48V strings are connected in series with intermediate monitoring, but this requires careful engineering.
Can FT batteries be mounted horizontally?
FT batteries are designed for vertical rack mounting. Horizontal mounting is not recommended because it can cause the electrolyte to pool at one end of the cell.
What about seismic-rated installations?
For data centers in seismic zones, FT batteries require seismic-rated battery racks with retention brackets. CHISEN’s seismic battery rack partners can provide Zone 4-rated racks that hold 4–8 FT batteries per shelf with proper retention.
Ready to specify CHISEN 12V FT batteries for your telecom or data center project?
📧 Email: sales@chisen.cn
🌐 www.chisen.cn
📱 WhatsApp: +86 131 6622 6999
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