APC by Schneider Electric SMT700X167 700VA Line-Interactive Tower UPS
Overview
The APC SMT700X167 is a 700VA / 450W line-interactive uninterruptible power supply built for protecting sensitive electronics in commercial and light-industrial environments — think network video recorders, access control panels, and edge networking gear where a sudden outage or voltage sag can corrupt recordings or lock out a facility. Its pure sine wave output means it won't fight with active PFC power supplies the way a stepped-approximation UPS does, making it a responsible choice any time the load includes modern server-grade or high-efficiency switching hardware.
Unlike basic standby UPS units that only kick in when power fails completely, the SMT700X167 uses line-interactive topology with Automatic Voltage Regulation — the unit actively boosts or bucks incoming voltage within its 100–290V operating window without touching the battery. That extends battery service life significantly on sites with chronic over- or under-voltage conditions.
Key Features
- 700VA / 450W Capacity: Enough headroom to carry a mid-size NVR, a PoE switch, and a workstation through a brief outage without overloading. Size your connected load to no more than 80% (360W) for safe continuous operation and realistic runtime margins.
- Pure Sine Wave Output: Delivers clean AC during battery operation — critical for active PFC power supplies found in modern servers, NAS boxes, and intelligent camera head-ends. Square-wave or stepped UPS units can cause these loads to fault or overheat; the SMT700X167 eliminates that risk.
- Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR): Corrects input voltage swings from 100V to 290V without switching to battery. On sites with utility voltage instability — common in older buildings or areas with aging infrastructure — this protects equipment and preserves battery cycles for real outages.
- 540J Surge Energy Rating: Absorbs and dissipates transient energy from lightning-induced surges and utility switching events. Positioned between a bare surge strip (typically 300–400J) and dedicated whole-panel surge suppression; appropriate for equipment rooms and wiring closets.
- 6ms Transfer Time: Switches from utility to battery in 6 milliseconds — fast enough to keep double-conversion-sensitive loads running without a brownout gap. Standard ATX and server power supplies bridge this gap comfortably.
- 8x NEMA 5-15R Outlets: All eight outlets are battery-backed and surge-protected, providing maximum flexibility when protecting mixed loads on a small UPS. NEMA 5-15P input plug fits standard 15A circuits — no electrician required for deployment.
- USB Connectivity: Onboard USB port enables graceful shutdown integration with Windows, Linux, and macOS hosts via APC's PowerChute software — automatically saves open files and powers down before the battery exhausts, preventing data corruption on attached NVRs or servers.
- 45 dB Noise Level: Quiet enough for open-office or reception-area deployments where fan noise from a rack-mount UPS would be unacceptable. Audible alarms activate for on-battery, low battery, and fault conditions.
- 50/60 Hz Input Compatibility: Accepts both North American 60Hz and international 50Hz input — useful for sites with mixed utility infrastructure or for equipment shipped between regions.
Integration & Compatibility
The SMT700X167 fits naturally into IP camera and NVR deployments as a last-line power defense for the recording head-end. Pair it with a managed PoE switch on a separate, larger UPS upstream if the full camera network needs ride-through — this unit's 450W capacity is sized for the brains of the system, not the full edge device load. The tower form factor sits on a shelf or under a desk; it does not rack-mount without an optional conversion kit. USB graceful-shutdown works with most major VMS platforms that support OS-level shutdown triggers, including Windows Server environments running Milestone, Genetec, or Avigilon software.
Input voltage range of 100–290V and frequency acceptance of 50/60 Hz means this unit will operate correctly on North American utility power without configuration changes. The NEMA 5-15P plug limits installation to standard 15A branch circuits — verify the circuit isn't already loaded with other significant draws before adding this UPS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the SMT700X167 and a basic standby UPS?
A: The SMT700X167 uses line-interactive topology with Automatic Voltage Regulation, which actively corrects over- and under-voltage conditions (100–290V input range) without switching to battery. A basic standby UPS only activates when power fails completely, offering no protection against voltage sags or swells — common causes of equipment damage and premature failure.
Q: Will this UPS work with active PFC power supplies in servers or NVRs?
A: Yes. The SMT700X167 delivers a pure sine wave output during battery operation, which is required for active PFC power supplies. Stepped-approximation or simulated sine wave UPS units can cause active PFC supplies to fault or run hot; the pure sine output eliminates that compatibility issue.
Q: How many devices can I connect to the SMT700X167?
A: All 8 NEMA 5-15R outlets are battery-backed and surge-protected. Total connected load should not exceed 450W (the unit's rated output wattage), and best practice is to stay at or below 80% — approximately 360W — for sustainable runtime and to avoid overloading the unit under surge conditions.
Q: Does the SMT700X167 support graceful server shutdown?
A: Yes. The onboard USB port connects to a host computer running APC PowerChute software, which monitors UPS status and initiates an automatic graceful shutdown before the battery depletes — preventing data corruption on attached NVRs, servers, or workstations.
Q: What circuit type does the SMT700X167 require?
A: The unit ships with a NEMA 5-15P input plug, which requires a standard 15A, 120V outlet. No special wiring or dedicated circuit is mandated, but verify the branch circuit has sufficient remaining capacity before adding the UPS and its connected load.
Q: Can the SMT700X167 be rack-mounted?
A: The SMT700X167 ships as a tower unit designed for shelf, floor, or under-desk placement. Rack mounting requires a separate conversion kit not included with this model. If rack integration is a requirement, evaluate rack-mount variants in the Smart-UPS family.
The spec I keep coming back to on the SMT700X167 is the pure sine wave output combined with line-interactive AVR — that combination matters more than the VA rating for most security head-end deployments. I've seen active PFC power supplies in NVRs fault repeatedly on stepped-wave UPS units, and that's a midnight call nobody wants. This unit eliminates that failure mode outright.
Technical Highlights:
- Pure Sine Wave Output: Delivers clean AC on battery — compatible with active PFC power supplies in modern NVRs, servers, and intelligent switches without caveat.
- AVR Operating Range (100–290V): Corrects a wide voltage window without touching the battery, preserving battery cycles for actual outages rather than burning them on routine sags and swells.
- 540J Surge Rating + 6ms Transfer: Transient suppression is meaningful for equipment rooms near HVAC or elevator infrastructure; 6ms switchover keeps downstream loads stable through the transition.
Deployment Considerations:
- Size connected load to 360W or less (80% of 450W) — running near 450W continuously reduces runtime and stresses the unit under surge conditions; account for inrush current from switching power supplies at startup.
- Tower form factor only — rack integration requires a separate conversion kit not bundled with this SKU, so factor that into lab or server room deployments where U-space matters.
The SMT700X167 is the right fit for a small NVR plus managed switch combo in a retail back-office or remote monitoring station — where you need clean power, graceful OS shutdown via USB, and a low acoustic footprint, without provisioning a full rack-mount UPS infrastructure.
