APC by Schneider Electric SMT3000RM2UCUS 3000VA 2U Rack-Mount Line-Interactive UPS
Overview
The APC by Schneider Electric SMT3000RM2UCUS is a 3000VA / 2700W line-interactive uninterruptible power supply built for 2U rack environments where clean, conditioned power isn't optional. With a true sine wave output, a 6ms typical transfer time, and SmartConnect cloud monitoring baked in, it covers the core requirements for powering network video recorders, PoE switches, access control panels, and other critical infrastructure that can't tolerate sags, surges, or dirty waveforms. TAA compliance makes it a direct-procurement option for government and federal agency deployments. Explore the full APC by Schneider Electric power portfolio for complementary power protection products.
Key Features
- 2700W / 2880VA Capacity: At a 0.9375 power factor, this unit handles real-world mixed loads — a rack with multiple NVRs, managed PoE switches, and a server can coexist without running the UPS into thermal rollback. Know your load before spec'ing: sustained loads above 2700W will trip the unit.
- True Sine Wave Output: Active PFC power supplies — standard in modern servers, NVRs, and enterprise switches — require a true sine wave on battery to run properly. Simulated or stepped waveforms cause PFC supplies to reject the battery signal or run hot. The SMT3000RM2UCUS delivers the clean output these loads expect.
- 6ms Typical / 10ms Maximum Transfer Time: Line-interactive topology means the inverter activates on utility loss. Most equipment holds through 10ms without issue, but if your environment requires zero-transfer performance, you'll want to step up to a double-conversion online topology. For the majority of network security and IT loads, 6–10ms is well within tolerance.
- NEMA L5-30P Input / 6 × NEMA 5-15R Outputs: The twist-lock L5-30P input plug connects directly to a 30A circuit — standard in most data closets and comms rooms. Six NEMA 5-15R output receptacles distribute power across the rack. Plan your outlet count before installation; six may be limiting on a fully populated rack without a PDU downstream.
- 459J Surge Energy Rating: The integrated surge suppression handles transient spikes up to 459 joules — adequate for normal utility fluctuations but not a substitute for a dedicated surge suppression device on high-exposure circuits like rooftop cabling runs.
- 3-Hour Recharge / 3–5 Year Battery Life: After a discharge event, the 172W battery charger recovers the lead-acid pack in approximately 3 hours. Battery replacement intervals of 3–5 years align with standard IT refresh cycles, and the user-replaceable cartridge design means you don't need a service call to swap cells.
- SmartConnect Cloud Monitoring: Built-in SmartConnect ports let you monitor UPS status, battery health, and runtime estimates remotely without deploying a separate SNMP card — useful for distributed deployments where a technician isn't on-site at every closet.
- TAA Compliance: The SMT3000RM2UCUS carries Trade Agreements Act compliance — a hard requirement for federal government, GSA schedule, and many state/local agency contracts. Verify your specific procurement vehicle, but TAA certification removes a common bid disqualifier.
- 2U Rack Footprint (432mm × 86mm × 683mm): Standard 19-inch rack width, 26.9-inch depth — measure your rail depth before ordering. At 97.6 lb, plan for two-person installation or a rack lift; this is not a one-person job.
- 55 dBA Acoustic Level: Audible under load in an open office environment. For noise-sensitive deployments (reception areas, courtrooms, small offices), locate in a dedicated comms closet.
- Operating Range 32–104°F / 0–40°C: Covers standard data closet and server room conditions. If the rack is in an unconditioned space that can exceed 104°F, derate expected battery life accordingly — heat is the primary accelerant of lead-acid degradation.
- cULus and ENERGY STAR V2.0 Certified: cULus listing satisfies most AHJ electrical inspection requirements. ENERGY STAR V2.0 certification matters for facilities teams tracking power efficiency or pursuing sustainability certifications like LEED.
Integration & Compatibility
The rack UPS integrates with APC's PowerChute Business Edition and Network Shutdown software for graceful OS-level shutdown on extended outages — relevant when protecting NVRs or servers with active write operations. The SmartConnect interface is cloud-native and doesn't require a dedicated NMS. The single free expansion slot accepts optional SNMP/web cards for environments that require integration into existing network management platforms. For larger PoE switch deployments, verify that the total connected load stays within the 2700W rated output; PoE switches under full port load can draw substantially more than their idle ratings suggest. A UPS sizing and runtime guide can help match runtime targets to actual connected loads. For deployments requiring extended runtime, APC's compatible external battery packs can be paired with this unit — confirm compatibility via APC's published extended battery module list before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the SMT3000RM2UCUS TAA compliant?
A: Yes. The SMT3000RM2UCUS carries Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance certification, making it eligible for federal government procurement vehicles including GSA Schedule contracts.
Q: What is the warranty on the SMT3000RM2UCUS?
A: The standard manufacturer warranty is 24 months. An extended contractual warranty of 36 months is also available.
Q: Does the SMT3000RM2UCUS output a true sine wave?
A: Yes. It delivers a true sine wave on battery — required for proper operation of equipment with active PFC power supplies, including most modern servers, NVRs, and enterprise-grade switches.
Q: What input plug does the SMT3000RM2UCUS use?
A: It uses a NEMA L5-30P twist-lock input plug, which requires a dedicated 30A, 120V circuit. Verify your circuit capacity before installation.
Q: How long does the battery take to recharge after a full discharge?
A: The typical recharge time is approximately 3 hours. Battery life under normal conditions is 3–5 years, and the battery is user-replaceable without requiring a service technician.
Q: How many output receptacles does the SMT3000RM2UCUS provide?
A: Six NEMA 5-15R output receptacles. If your rack requires more outlet positions, plan for a downstream PDU to distribute power from the UPS outputs.
The spec I look at first on the SMT3000RM2UCUS is the 6ms typical / 10ms maximum transfer time combined with true sine wave output — because those two numbers together tell you whether this unit will actually protect modern PFC-based loads or just look good on paper. For the NVR racks, managed PoE switches, and access control servers we routinely deploy, both boxes are checked.
Technical Highlights:
- 2700W Rated Output at 0.9375 PF: A real power factor this close to unity means the watt and VA ratings are nearly aligned — you're not losing usable capacity to reactive load headroom, which matters when you're sizing against a specific connected watt load rather than VA.
- NEMA L5-30P Input: The twist-lock 30A input is a deliberate design choice for rack environments — it won't accidentally pull free under cable management pressure, and it maps directly to the 30A circuits standard in most comms rooms and data closets without a custom whip.
- SmartConnect + 1 Free Expansion Slot: SmartConnect handles cloud monitoring out of the box; the open slot lets you add an SNMP/web card if the environment demands integration into a dedicated NMS like SolarWinds or PRTG without deploying a separate monitoring appliance.
Deployment Considerations:
- At 97.6 lb and 26.9 inches deep, verify both the physical rail depth and the floor/rack weight rating before speccing this into a wall-mounted or lightweight open-frame rack — this is a two-person lift minimum.
- The 55 dBA acoustic output is noticeable under load; this unit belongs in a dedicated comms closet or equipment room, not adjacent to a customer-facing reception desk or quiet workspace.
The SMT3000RM2UCUS is the right call for a 2U government or enterprise rack slot where TAA compliance is a hard procurement requirement and the connected load sits between 1500W and 2700W — federal network closets, court facility AV/security racks, and municipal surveillance infrastructure are the exact scenarios this unit was built for.
