APC Smart-ups Lithium-ion 3000VA 120V with Smartconnect Port Network Card an - SMTL3KRM2UCLNC

APC by Schneider Electric SMTL3KRM2UCLNC Lithium-Ion 3kVA 2U Rack Smart-UPS with SmartConnect

Overview

The APC by Schneider Electric SMTL3KRM2UCLNC is a 3000VA / 2700W line-interactive rack UPS built around a lithium-ion battery platform — the right call for server rooms, network closets, and surveillance infrastructure where battery longevity and remote manageability matter as much as runtime. The unit ships with both a SmartConnect port and an embedded network management card, so you get cloud-based monitoring and full SNMP/network management without an additional card purchase.

Unlike standard sealed lead-acid UPS models, the lithium-ion chemistry in the SMTL3KRM2UCLNC delivers longer cycle life and a lighter physical footprint in a 2U rackmount chassis — a meaningful difference when you are refreshing aging battery infrastructure or deploying in weight-constrained racks. The SmartConnect cloud portal gives your IT team remote battery health visibility without requiring a technician on-site.

Key Features

• 3000VA / 2700W Output Capacity: At 2700W usable output, this UPS can carry a fully loaded 1U server, a managed PoE switch, and ancillary gear simultaneously — size it against your actual load at roughly 50–80% of capacity for best runtime and battery health.
• Line-Interactive Topology with True Sine Wave Output: Line-interactive topology means the unit corrects browndowns and over-voltages through AVR before touching battery — extending both battery life and connected equipment life. The pure sine wave output (not simulated) is required for active PFC power supplies found in modern servers and NVRs; a stepped approximation will trip those PSUs off.
• Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR): AVR handles the 110–125V input range without switching to battery, which matters in facilities with frequent voltage sags. Your load stays up and batteries stay at full charge rather than cycling unnecessarily on every sag event.
• 6ms Transfer Time: A 6ms switchover from utility to battery keeps server PSUs and active PFC supplies within their hold-up time — no unexpected reboots during transfers. This is the number that determines whether connected equipment ever sees a glitch.
• 459J Surge Energy Rating: 459 joules of surge suppression handles typical switching transients and indirect lightning coupling. This is supplemental protection — it does not replace a dedicated whole-facility surge panel in high-exposure locations.
• Emergency Power Off (EPO): EPO support lets you wire a remote cutoff switch to kill UPS output instantly — a requirement in many data center and IDF closet build-outs for fire safety compliance. Plan the EPO circuit during rough-in, not after the rack is loaded.
• SmartConnect Cloud Port + Embedded Network Card: The SmartConnect port enables cloud-based monitoring and alerts without local software. The included network management card adds full SNMP integration, allowing your NMS (SolarWinds, PRTG, Nagios, etc.) to poll battery status, load percentage, runtime remaining, and input/output voltage on a schedule. Both are included — no upsell required.
• Lithium-Ion Battery Chemistry: Li-ion batteries charge faster, tolerate more charge cycles before degradation, and operate reliably at higher ambient temperatures compared to VRLA/AGM chemistries. In a rack that runs warm, this translates to longer actual service life between battery replacements.
• 348 BTU/h Heat Dissipation: Plan for 348 BTU/h of heat output from this unit at full load when sizing your rack cooling — relevant in dense deployments where thermal load is already tight.
• 50/60 Hz Input Frequency Compatibility: Accepts both 50 and 60 Hz input, making the unit compatible with standard North American utility feeds and usable in facilities with generator backup that may fluctuate slightly off nominal frequency.

Integration & Compatibility

The SMTL3KRM2UCLNC operates on single-phase 120V input and output (110–125V range), positioning it for standard North American branch circuit deployment. The 3:1 crest factor handling means it tolerates the peak current demands of non-linear loads — switching power supplies, UPS chargers, and rectifiers — without clipping. The embedded network card supports SNMP, enabling integration with enterprise monitoring platforms. APC's PowerChute software (vendor-supplied, not included in hardware) can be paired for graceful server shutdown sequences. Verify load wattage against the 2700W capacity ceiling before deployment; VA and watt ratings are not interchangeable, and the watt figure is the binding constraint for most IT loads. For broader UPS selection guidance including runtime modeling, consult your power planning documentation before finalizing quantity and capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the actual usable watt output of the SMTL3KRM2UCLNC, and how does that differ from the VA rating?

A: The SMTL3KRM2UCLNC is rated at 3000VA but delivers 2700W of real power output. VA is apparent power; watts are real power. For IT equipment with active PFC supplies (power factor near 1.0), the watt figure is the binding limit. Size your connected load to 2700W or below — ideally at 50–80% of capacity for optimal runtime and battery longevity.

Q: Does the SMTL3KRM2UCLNC output a true sine wave or a simulated/stepped sine wave?

A: It outputs a true sine wave. This is required for servers, NAS units, and NVRs with active power factor correction (PFC) supplies. Simulated or stepped sine wave UPS output can cause those PSUs to malfunction or shut down during battery operation.

Q: What is the transfer time when the SMTL3KRM2UCLNC switches from utility to battery?

A: Transfer time is 6 milliseconds. Modern server and networking PSUs typically have a hold-up time of 16–20ms, so a 6ms transfer keeps connected equipment within safe operating margins without a power glitch.

Q: Does the SMTL3KRM2UCLNC include a network management card, or is it sold separately?

A: The SMTL3KRM2UCLNC includes both a SmartConnect cloud monitoring port and an embedded network card (AN designation in the model number). You do not need to purchase an additional management card for SNMP or remote monitoring capability.

Q: What does the EPO (Emergency Power Off) feature on the SMTL3KRM2UCLNC do, and when is it required?

A: EPO allows a remotely wired cutoff switch to instantly de-energize the UPS output — a safety requirement in many data center, IDF closet, and commercial build-outs for fire suppression compliance. The EPO circuit should be planned during installation, not retrofitted after the rack is populated.

Q: Why choose a lithium-ion UPS like the SMTL3KRM2UCLNC over a standard VRLA/AGM model?

A: Lithium-ion batteries support more charge/discharge cycles before degradation, charge faster after a discharge event, and tolerate higher ambient temperatures better than VRLA/AGM. In warm server rooms or high-cycle environments, this extends the replacement interval and reduces total cost of ownership over the UPS service life.

Ted Perry

The SMTL3KRM2UCLNC is one of the few rack UPS models at the 3kVA class that ships with both a SmartConnect cloud port and an embedded network card standard — no slot consumed, no additional card cost. That combination, paired with the lithium-ion platform, makes it a different buying decision than a conventional VRLA Smart-UPS at similar capacity.

Technical Highlights:

• 2700W Real Power Output: At 2700W, this unit handles a fully loaded 1U rack server plus a 24-port managed PoE switch without headroom concerns — run your load audit first and target 50–75% utilization for best battery cycle life.
• 6ms Transfer Time with True Sine Wave: The 6ms switchover is well within the hold-up envelope of active PFC server PSUs; combined with pure sine wave output, connected equipment sees no functional difference between utility and battery operation.
• 459J Surge Rating + EPO: 459 joules covers normal switching transients; the EPO terminal is the detail to pre-wire during rack build-out — it is significantly harder to add cleanly after the fact in a dense cabinet.

Deployment Considerations:

• Plan 348 BTU/h of rack heat load from this unit at full capacity — in a closed 42U cabinet already running warm, that thermal contribution is non-trivial and should factor into your cooling calculations before installation.
• The 120V / single-phase input limits this unit to standard North American branch circuits; it is not a fit for international deployments or facilities standardized on 208V without a step-down transformer in the chain.

For a physical security or surveillance IDF closet running a 24- to 48-port PoE switch, a mid-range NVR, and an access control panel — all on a single 20A circuit — the SMTL3KRM2UCLNC covers the load with runtime to spare and gives the IT team full remote visibility without additional hardware.