Schneider Electric has launched an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) that can operate with either valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) or lithium-ion batteries, allowing users to change battery chemistry without replacing the UPS.
The company described the next-generation APC Smart-UPS as the industry’s first monolithic multi-chemistry UPS for distributed IT and edge computing environments.
Customers can initially install VRLA batteries and subsequently move to longer-life lithium-ion batteries using the same chassis. Schneider said the system has also been designed to support other chemistries through compatible battery packs developed in the future.
The Smart-UPS platform supports as many as ten external battery packs for applications requiring extended runtime. Its rack-and-tower convertible design uses common interfaces, batteries and spare parts across different power ratings.
Schneider’s first multi-chemistry Smart-UPS
Manish Kumar, executive vice-president for secure power and data centres at Schneider Electric, said: “Customers shouldn’t have to choose between investing in backup power today and being ready for what comes next.
“With our first multi-chemistry Smart-UPS, a system purchased today can adapt to tomorrow’s battery innovations by swapping the battery, protecting our customers’ investment and giving our partners a new way to deliver value.”
The platform will initially be offered through Schneider’s SRTD On-Line series in 2.2kVA and 3kVA configurations. The systems are intended for servers and networking equipment in medical, light-industrial and IT applications.
Compared with previous APC Smart-UPS models, the company claims the new generation provides as much as three times the base runtime, 1.4 times greater power density and 57% more outlets. The company also said it could reduce power losses by as much as 40%.
The UPS incorporates Schneider’s EcoStruxure IT software for monitoring battery condition, system performance and energy consumption. An EcoStruxure IT network management card provides cybersecurity certified to IEC 62443 Security Level 2, while PowerChute software can automatically shut down connected equipment during an outage.
The company said allowing users to replace the battery chemistry rather than the entire UPS could reduce electronic waste. Design changes have also reduced the product’s carbon footprint by up to 25.6%, according to the company, while sustainable plastics account for as much as 50% of the plastic used.
The SRTD series will be available to order in North America from 1 September. Schneider has not disclosed when it will become available in other regions.
Picture credit: Schneider Electric
