APC by Schneider Electric SUG5100S90UL 100kVA 3-Phase Double-Conversion Online UPS
Overview
The APC by Schneider Electric SUG5100S90UL is the MGE Galaxy 5000 platform in a 100 kVA / 90 kW double-conversion online configuration — purpose-built for large three-phase critical loads where zero transfer time and tightly regulated output are non-negotiable. This is a data-center-class and industrial-facility UPS rated at 480V output with a flexible input window of 408–600V, making it compatible with North American 480V distribution without a step-down transformer. If you're protecting high-density compute rows, large network aggregation closets, or process-control equipment in a manufacturing environment, this is the scale and topology to specify. The tower form factor fits dedicated UPS rooms and equipment alcoves; it is not a rack-mount device.
Key Features
- Double-Conversion (Online) Topology: The SUG5100S90UL continuously regenerates output power from the rectifier-inverter chain — your load never runs on raw utility power. Transfer time to battery is zero milliseconds because the inverter is always active. For sensitive three-phase loads like chillers, large UPS-fed PDUs, or industrial PLCs, this eliminates sag, swell, and frequency excursions entirely.
- 100 kVA / 90 kW Output Capacity: At a 0.9 power factor, this unit delivers 90,000 watts of usable power. That's enough headroom to protect a medium-density data hall row (10–15 high-density 1U servers at 5–6kW each) or a combination of HVAC, lighting, and compute in a mission-critical facility. Size your connected load to no more than 80% of capacity (72 kW) for thermal margin.
- 480V Three-Phase Output, Up to 600V: Output spans 480–600V AC across three phases, with a terminal block connection (not NEMA outlets) — meaning this UPS feeds downstream distribution panels and PDUs directly. No outlet counting needed; capacity planning is purely a kW/kVA calculation. The 190A maximum output current defines your upstream breaker sizing.
- Wide Input Voltage Range (408–600V): Utility input tolerance of ±20% around nominal 480V keeps the UPS on mains during browndown events without switching to battery unnecessarily. The 45–65 Hz input frequency window also covers sites where utility frequency stability is a concern, such as generators or international utility feeds.
- 92.9% Efficiency: At full-load double-conversion, 92.9% efficiency is meaningful at 100 kVA scale — losses of roughly 6.4 kW dissipate as heat and operating cost. At $0.12/kWh running 8,760 hours/year, that's approximately $6,700/year in losses; efficiency directly impacts cooling load sizing and operating budget.
- Output Voltage THD ≤1% / Input Current THD ≤3%: Output harmonic distortion of 1% means connected loads see near-pure sine wave power — essential for variable-frequency drives, UPS-sensitive medical equipment, or precision lab instruments. Input THD of 3% is low enough that most facility engineers will not need to add input harmonic filters to satisfy IEEE 519 requirements.
- 3:1 Crest Factor: A 3:1 crest factor rating means the inverter handles nonlinear loads — switch-mode power supplies, motor starters — without output voltage distortion. Specify this where load mix is unpredictable.
- External Battery Architecture (Up to 4 Battery Strings): Runtime is entirely determined by external battery cabinets, not internal cells. This allows runtime to be engineered independently of the UPS frame — from minutes to hours depending on battery string sizing. The SUG5100S90UL supports up to 4 external battery strings; specify battery extension cabinets separately based on your required runtime at load.
- Emergency Power Off (EPO): EPO input is confirmed present — a code requirement in many jurisdictions for UPS systems above a threshold kVA. Wire your EPO button to facility emergency shutoff circuits during commissioning.
- IP20 Enclosure / LCD Display: IP20 means this is an indoor unit for controlled environments — not suitable for unconditioned spaces, loading docks, or anywhere with airborne dust or water ingress risk. The LCD panel provides local status monitoring; LED indicators supplement for at-a-glance fault identification.
- UL 1778 and UL 924 Listed: UL 1778 is the standard for UPS equipment; UL 924 covers emergency lighting and power equipment. Dual listing satisfies most AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) requirements for critical facility and emergency power applications without additional field evaluation.
Integration & Compatibility
The SUG5100S90UL connects via terminal blocks on both input and output — no plug-and-play; this requires licensed electrical installation. Input accepts 408–600V three-phase, so it fits directly on 480V switchgear without transformer. Output terminals feed three-phase distribution panels or modular PDU inputs. For network management and SNMP monitoring integration, confirm network management card compatibility with the Galaxy 5000 platform (cards sold separately). The unit supports three connectivity interfaces per the specification data. Operating altitude ceiling of 999.9 meters (approximately 3,280 feet) means high-altitude sites — Denver CO at 1,609m, for example — fall outside the rated envelope; consult APC for derating guidance above that threshold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the output power capacity of the SUG5100S90UL and how many loads can it realistically support?
A: The SUG5100S90UL is rated at 100 kVA / 90,000 W at 0.9 power factor. Best practice is to load it to no more than 80% of capacity (72 kW) to maintain thermal headroom and battery reserve. Exact load count depends on per-device wattage — for example, ten 6kW servers equals 60 kW, which sits well within the 80% threshold.
Q: Does the SUG5100S90UL have a zero transfer time to battery?
A: Yes. The double-conversion (online) topology means the inverter is always active and the load never runs directly off utility power. Transfer time to battery is effectively zero milliseconds — there is no switching event when utility power fails.
Q: What certifications does the SUG5100S90UL carry?
A: The SUG5100S90UL is listed to UL 1778 (standard for UPS equipment) and UL 924 (emergency lighting and power equipment). These dual listings satisfy most AHJ requirements for critical facility deployments in the United States.
Q: What is the input voltage range and is a step-down transformer required for 480V service?
A: The unit accepts 408–600V three-phase input at 45–65 Hz, so it connects directly to standard North American 480V three-phase distribution without a transformer. The wide ±20% input tolerance also reduces unnecessary battery switchovers during utility browndown events.
Q: What batteries does the SUG5100S90UL use and how is runtime extended?
A: The SUG5100S90UL uses external batteries only — there are no internal cells. It supports up to 4 external battery strings. Runtime is engineered by specifying the appropriate APC Galaxy 5000 external battery cabinets separately, allowing runtime to scale from minutes to hours depending on load and string size.
Q: Can the SUG5100S90UL be installed in an unconditioned space or outdoor enclosure?
A: No. The IP20 rating means the unit is designed for clean, indoor, controlled environments only. It is not suitable for spaces with dust, water exposure, or uncontrolled humidity. Operating temperature range is 0–40°C; ensure the installation space has adequate cooling to handle the unit's heat dissipation.
The SUG5100S90UL is one of those specs that stops a conversation cold when you put the weight on the table: 8,883.6 kg shipping weight. This is not a UPS you drop into a standard equipment room without a structural floor load analysis first — and that conversation needs to happen before procurement, not during installation. As a 100 kVA Galaxy 5000 platform, it's the right call for critical three-phase infrastructure where you need continuous double-conversion and a flexible 408–600V input envelope, but the physical and electrical commissioning requirements are substantial.
Technical Highlights:
- 92.9% Double-Conversion Efficiency: At 100 kVA continuous, losses run roughly 6.4 kW — that's real heat your cooling infrastructure must handle. Factor this into your CRAC/CRAH capacity model before commissioning.
- 1% Output Voltage THD: Near-pure sine output at this distortion level makes the SUG5100S90UL compatible with the most sensitive nonlinear loads — VFDs, precision instruments, medical-grade equipment — without needing a separate power conditioner downstream.
- External Battery Support Up to 4 Strings: Runtime is fully decoupled from the UPS frame. You can right-size battery strings for your specific hold-time requirement — 15 minutes for generator start, or 2+ hours for extended outage coverage — without replacing or upsizing the UPS itself.
Deployment Considerations:
- Operating altitude ceiling is 999.9 meters (3,280 ft) — installations above that threshold, including much of the Mountain West, require derating consultation with APC before spec-locking this unit into a design.
- Output is terminal block only at up to 190A per phase — licensed electrical work is mandatory; there are no plug-in connections anywhere on this unit. Budget accordingly for electrician time and conduit routing during commissioning.
The SUG5100S90UL is the right specification for purpose-built critical power rooms in healthcare facilities, colocation edge pods, and heavy industrial control environments where three-phase 480V distribution is the standard and runtime must be engineered independently of the UPS frame size.
