APC Smart-ups Lithium ION 1000VA Short Depth RM 120V Smartconnect Taa-compliant - SMTL1000RM2UCUS

APC by Schneider Electric SMTL1000RM2UCUS Short-Depth 1000VA Lithium-Ion Rack UPS

Overview

The APC Smart-UPS SMTL1000RM2UCUS is a 1000VA / 800W rack-mount uninterruptible power supply built around a lithium-ion battery — a meaningful departure from the valve-regulated lead-acid chemistry that dominates most comparable 2U units. At 35.9 lb and a short-depth form factor, it slides into space-constrained telecom racks, edge enclosures, and shallow wall-mount cabinets that a standard-depth rack UPS simply won't fit. The SmartConnect port enables cloud-based remote monitoring without requiring a separate network management card, which cuts both upfront cost and rack-unit overhead. TAA compliance makes the SMTL1000RM2UCUS eligible for U.S. federal and SLED procurement where Trade Agreements Act conformance is mandated.

For security integrators powering NVRs, access control panels, PoE switches, and edge compute nodes, this unit sits at a practical capacity point: enough to ride out a brief outage or gracefully shut down a small server room, without the bulk and weight penalty of a lead-acid equivalent. Browse the full APC by Schneider Electric power protection line to compare runtime and capacity options across the Smart-UPS family.

Key Features

• 1000VA / 800W Lithium-Ion Power Plant: At 800W true power output, this unit can sustain a mid-density PoE switch plus an NVR and several edge devices simultaneously. Lithium-ion chemistry delivers a longer service life and significantly faster recharge compared to lead-acid — relevant if your site experiences frequent short outages that repeatedly cycle the battery.
• Short-Depth 2U Rack Form Factor: The 3.39-inch (8.6 cm) height occupies exactly 2U. The short-depth chassis fits shallow racks and wall-mount enclosures that standard-depth UPS units won't clear — a real differentiator for IDF closets, retail back-of-house installations, and remote edge nodes with limited rack depth.
• 35.9 lb Weight Advantage: Lithium-ion construction sheds significant weight versus a comparably rated VRLA unit. At 35.9 lb (16.3 kg), one technician can handle rack installation without a lift — meaningful when you're deploying across multiple remote sites.
• 120V Input and Output: Both input and output run at 120V, matching standard North American single-phase branch circuits. No step-up or step-down transformer needed — wire directly to a standard 20A circuit and connect protected equipment to the output outlets.
• 8 ft (2.4 m) Input Cable: The 8-foot power cord reaches a rack PDU or wall outlet without extension hardware in most standard rack-and-closet layouts. Verify your PDU position before assuming the run is sufficient in deeper or floor-standing enclosures.
• SmartConnect Cloud Monitoring: The integrated SmartConnect port enables remote battery health, load, and runtime monitoring through APC's cloud portal — no separate network management card required. For distributed deployments across multiple sites, this eliminates the need to physically visit each rack to check UPS status.
• TAA Compliance: TAA-compliant designation means the SMTL1000RM2UCUS qualifies for GSA Schedule purchases and other federal/SLED procurement vehicles where country-of-origin requirements apply. Confirm your specific contract vehicle requirements before quoting.

Integration & Compatibility

The SMTL1000RM2UCUS integrates with APC's EcoStruxure IT ecosystem via the SmartConnect interface, enabling centralized monitoring alongside other APC-managed infrastructure. Standard USB and serial communication ports (verify current hardware revision for exact port complement) support graceful shutdown signaling to servers and NAS devices running APC PowerChute software. For network video recorder deployments, pair this UPS with your NVR and core PoE switch to protect the recording chain; calculate your actual load against the 800W capacity before provisioning — a fully loaded 24-port PoE+ switch alone can approach 400W under full draw. Review the PoE planning guide for load budgeting guidance. For rack power distribution planning alongside this unit, consider a compatible rack PDU on the output side to maximize outlet density.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the SMTL1000RM2UCUS TAA compliant for federal procurement?

A: Yes. The SMTL1000RM2UCUS carries TAA-compliant designation, making it eligible for GSA Schedule and other federal and SLED procurement vehicles that mandate Trade Agreements Act conformance. Confirm your specific contract vehicle requirements before finalizing a quote.

Q: What battery type does the SMTL1000RM2UCUS use, and why does it matter?

A: The SMTL1000RM2UCUS uses lithium-ion (Li-Ion) chemistry rather than traditional valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA). Li-Ion offers a longer service life, faster recharge after an outage, and significantly lower weight — the unit ships at 35.9 lb, which is well below comparable VRLA-based rack UPS units at this capacity.

Q: How much rack space does the SMTL1000RM2UCUS require, and does it fit in shallow racks?

A: The SMTL1000RM2UCUS occupies 2U of rack space with a height of 3.39 inches (8.6 cm). Its short-depth chassis is specifically designed to fit shallow rack enclosures and wall-mount cabinets that standard-depth rack UPS units cannot accommodate.

Q: What is the true power output (watts) of the SMTL1000RM2UCUS?

A: The SMTL1000RM2UCUS is rated at 800W (1000VA). When sizing your load, use the watt figure — not the VA rating — against your connected equipment's actual power draw to determine runtime and whether this unit is right-sized for your deployment.

Q: Does the SMTL1000RM2UCUS require a separate network management card for remote monitoring?

A: No. The SMTL1000RM2UCUS includes an integrated SmartConnect port that enables cloud-based remote monitoring of battery health, load levels, and estimated runtime without a separate network management card, reducing both cost and rack-unit consumption.

Q: What input voltage and cord length does the SMTL1000RM2UCUS require?

A: The SMTL1000RM2UCUS operates on 120V input, matching standard North American single-phase branch circuits. The included power cord measures 8 feet (2.4 m) — sufficient for most rack-to-PDU or rack-to-wall connections, though you should verify the run length in your specific installation before assuming it reaches.

Marty Allison

The spec I keep coming back to on the SMTL1000RM2UCUS is the combination of short-depth chassis and lithium-ion battery at 35.9 lb. In my experience, most rack UPS failures in security deployments aren't about capacity — they're about installers squeezing a standard-depth unit into a shallow IDF closet that physically won't accommodate it, or straining their back (and the rail kit) muscling a 50+ lb lead-acid unit into a wall-mount rack on a ladder. This unit solves both problems in one SKU.

Technical Highlights:

• 800W True Power at 1000VA: The 80% power factor means you have 800W of actual usable capacity — not 600-650W like some older UPS designs. A typical NVR plus a managed PoE switch plus a handful of access control panels will land in the 300-500W range, giving you comfortable runtime headroom without oversizing to a higher-capacity unit.
• Lithium-Ion Chemistry: Li-Ion recharges substantially faster than VRLA after an outage — a genuine operational advantage in sites that experience repeated short interruptions (utility switching, thunderstorm events). You're not sitting on a depleted battery for hours waiting for the next outage window to close.
• SmartConnect Without an NMC: The integrated SmartConnect port removes the $150-300 network management card from your BOM while still giving you remote visibility into load, battery state, and estimated runtime. For multi-site deployments, that adds up fast.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify your actual connected load in watts before commissioning — the 800W capacity is generous for a small NVR stack but can be consumed quickly if you're also powering a high-density PoE switch at near-full draw. Budget no more than 70-75% of rated capacity for sustained loads.
• The 8-foot input cord covers most standard rack placements, but measure your PDU-to-UPS run in shallow wall-mount installations before ordering — some wall-mount enclosure layouts place the PDU at the opposite end of the cabinet from the UPS bay.

The SMTL1000RM2UCUS is the right specification for TAA-required edge security nodes — think federal building access control closets, transit authority surveillance racks, or school district IDF rooms — where short-depth clearance, low weight for single-tech installation, and TAA paper trail all converge in a single unit.