APC Smart-ups RT 3000VA 230V Isolation Transformer - SURT001

APC by Schneider Electric SURT001 Smart-UPS RT Isolation Transformer

Overview

The APC by Schneider Electric SURT001 is a 3000 VA rack-mount isolation transformer designed to extend the capabilities of APC Smart-UPS RT systems operating on 230V infrastructure. If your deployment requires galvanic isolation between the utility feed and protected loads — a common requirement in medical facilities, broadcast environments, industrial control rooms, and security operations centers — the SURT001 slots directly into existing Smart-UPS RT installations without introducing additional power conversion stages. It occupies 3U of rack space, accepts a C20 input coupler from the upstream UPS, and delivers a C19 output to downstream distribution, keeping the entire power chain on standard IEC connectors throughout.

For integrators specifying power protection and UPS equipment, isolation transformers are often the overlooked piece: you can have clean, battery-backed power and still pass ground-loop noise or common-mode interference to sensitive electronics. The SURT001 addresses that gap for 230V APC Smart-UPS RT deployments specifically.

Key Features

• 3000 VA load capacity: Sized to match the output rating of the Smart-UPS RT 3000 — you get full isolation coverage without derating the upstream UPS. For rack deployments running servers, NVRs, or network video recorders with sustained draw near that ceiling, this means no need to add a second transformer or split the load across panels.
• C20 inlet / C19 outlet (IEC standard couplers): Both connectors are standard IEC locking types found on virtually every rack PDU and UPS in the 230V market. No adapters, no custom cabling — the SURT001 drops into a standard rack power chain without procurement headaches. The single C19 output feeds your downstream PDU or distribution strip directly.
• 230V AC input and output at 50–60 Hz: The transformer passes through the nominal 230V rail and accepts both 50 Hz and 60 Hz input, which matters in mixed-frequency environments or when equipment is deployed across regions. Output stays at 230V regardless of minor input variance.
• 16A maximum input current: At 230V × 16A, the SURT001 is sized for circuits up to 3,680W theoretical. Practically, this means the upstream breaker and wiring need to support at least 16A — standard in 230V commercial installations but worth verifying in older facilities before specifying this unit.
• 3U rack-mount form factor, 432mm wide: The 432mm width is the EIA standard 19-inch rack dimension, so physical fit is a non-issue in any standard two-post or four-post rack. Three rack units is a reasonable footprint for a 3kVA transformer — confirm available RU in your rack plan before ordering, particularly in dense network and power infrastructure racks.
• Operating temperature 0–40°C, humidity 0–95% (non-condensing): The 0–40°C envelope covers virtually all conditioned data center and equipment room environments. The 95% humidity ceiling without condensing means it handles humid climates without issue — relevant for coastal or tropical deployments. Storage is rated down to -25°C, so shipping and warehousing in cold climates won't damage the unit before installation.
• Operating altitude up to 3000m: Most rack power equipment is rated to 1000–1500m before derating. The 3000m operating ceiling makes the SURT001 viable in high-altitude facilities — mountain data centers, broadcast towers, remote government installations — without airflow or insulation concerns that affect some competing units.
• Single IEC output jumper: The SURT001 provides one C19 output connection point. Downstream load distribution is handled by the PDU you connect to that output, not by the transformer itself. Plan your downstream distribution architecture accordingly — this is a single-output device, not a multi-outlet strip.

Integration and Compatibility

The SURT001 is engineered for the APC by Schneider Electric Smart-UPS RT product family operating on 230V circuits. The C20-to-C19 connection topology is the standard handoff in APC's RT-series power chain: UPS output (C19/C20) → isolation transformer input (C20) → transformer output (C19) → rack PDU or direct load. If you are specifying a complete power protection stack for a security operations center, broadcast edit suite, or industrial control environment, this transformer integrates cleanly into that chain without requiring any custom interface hardware.

For UPS accessories and power conditioning planning, verify that your upstream Smart-UPS RT model is rated at or above 3000 VA on the 230V rail before pairing with the SURT001 — undersizing the UPS relative to the transformer's rated capacity eliminates the protection buffer you are specifying this unit to provide. Also confirm the upstream circuit breaker and branch wiring support the 16A maximum input draw; most 230V commercial circuits run 16A or 20A breakers, but older installations may be 10A and would require an upgrade.

Consulting your power protection planning guide before finalizing rack layout is worthwhile — isolation transformer placement relative to the UPS, PDU, and grounding scheme directly affects the quality of isolation you achieve in practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What UPS systems is the SURT001 designed to work with?

A: The SURT001 is designed for use with the APC Smart-UPS RT series operating on 230V AC infrastructure. It uses a C20 inlet to connect to the UPS output and a C19 outlet to feed downstream distribution.

Q: What is the load capacity of the SURT001?

A: The SURT001 is rated at 3000 VA. It accepts up to 16A input current on a 230V circuit, covering the full output capacity of a compatible Smart-UPS RT 3000 unit.

Q: How much rack space does the SURT001 require?

A: The SURT001 occupies 3U of standard 19-inch (432mm) rack space. Verify available rack units in your installation before ordering.

Q: What input frequency range does the SURT001 support?

A: The SURT001 accepts input at 50 Hz or 60 Hz, making it compatible with both European and international 230V power infrastructure.

Q: What are the operating temperature and humidity limits for the SURT001?

A: Operating temperature is 0 to 40°C. Operating relative humidity is 0 to 95% (non-condensing). Storage temperature range extends from -25°C to 65°C.

Q: How many output connections does the SURT001 provide?

A: The SURT001 provides a single C19 IEC output coupler. Downstream multi-outlet distribution is handled by connecting a rack PDU to that C19 output.

Eden Phillips

The SURT001 is one of those components that gets specified correctly the first time by engineers who have dealt with ground-loop noise in sensitive rack environments, and gets skipped by everyone else until something goes wrong. With a 3000 VA rating and a straightforward C20-in / C19-out topology, it inserts cleanly into a Smart-UPS RT 230V power chain — but the real value is galvanic isolation, not power conditioning alone.

Technical Highlights:

• 3000 VA / 16A input ceiling: Matched to the Smart-UPS RT 3000 output rating — you are not leaving capacity on the table or forcing a derating conversation with the facilities team. At 230V × 16A you have headroom to 3,680W theoretical before the upstream breaker trips.
• 50–60 Hz dual-frequency acceptance: The SURT001 handles both 50 Hz and 60 Hz input without switching or configuration. For organizations running mixed-origin equipment or operating across multiple regions, this removes a common compatibility ambiguity.
• 3000m operating altitude: Most comparable units are rated to 1000–1500m before derating. The 3000m ceiling is a meaningful differentiator for high-altitude government, broadcast, or industrial facilities where standard power equipment requires engineering review before installation.

Deployment Considerations:

• The single C19 output means all downstream load distribution runs through one PDU connection — plan your downstream rack PDU selection and its output port count before finalizing the power chain design. The transformer does not replace a distribution strip.
• The 0–40°C operating limit is standard for conditioned equipment rooms but is a hard ceiling. If this unit is going into an industrial enclosure or an unconditioned space that can exceed 40°C in summer, verify thermal management before specifying it.

The SURT001 is the right call for security operations centers, broadcast control rooms, and medical-adjacent rack environments on 230V infrastructure where common-mode noise or ground loops are a known concern and the upstream UPS is already an APC Smart-UPS RT. It is not a general-purpose transformer and should not be specified outside that platform context.