APC by Schneider Electric SMX3000RMLVUS 2880VA Line-Interactive Rack/Tower UPS
Overview
The SMX3000RMLVUS is a 2880 VA line-interactive uninterruptible power supply in a 2U rack/tower convertible chassis — a practical pick for server rooms, network closets, and security control rooms where you need reliable battery backup without dedicating a full rack unit per device. It accepts 100–127V input and delivers 120V regulated output, covering the variance typical of commercial utility feeds in North America. The rack/tower convertible design means you can deploy it flat in a rack today and stand it vertically in a wiring closet tomorrow without buying different hardware.
Key Features
- 2880 VA / 120V Output: At 2880 VA rated capacity, this unit can sustain a meaningful load — enough to keep a multi-port NVR, managed PoE switch, and associated access control gear running through a brief outage or a utility brownout. Size your load to 80% of VA capacity for comfortable headroom.
- Line-Interactive Topology: Line-interactive design regulates voltage sags and surges without switching to battery, which extends battery life significantly compared to standby (offline) designs. In environments with noisy or inconsistent utility power, this matters more than runtime specs alone.
- 2U Rack/Tower Convertible Form Factor: The 2U profile fits standard 19-inch racks. The convertible chassis adapts to tower orientation for installations where rack space isn't available, giving you deployment flexibility without a separate SKU.
- 100–127V Input Range: Wide input voltage acceptance (100V, 110V, 120V, 127V) means the SMX3000RMLVUS tolerates the kind of voltage variation common in older commercial buildings or locations fed by long branch circuits — without unnecessarily switching to battery on minor fluctuations.
- Lead-Acid Battery, 3–5 Year Service Life: Sealed lead-acid chemistry is field-replaceable in most APC Smart-UPS X models. Plan for a battery swap at the 3–5 year mark as part of your preventive maintenance schedule — budget for replacement battery cartridges accordingly.
- 8 ft (2.4 m) Input Cable: The included 8-foot power cable reaches most rack-to-PDU distances without an extension, keeping your installation clean and within UL guidelines for cord length.
Integration & Compatibility
The Smart-UPS X line is broadly compatible with APC's PowerChute network management software and optional network management cards (sold separately) for SNMP monitoring, automated graceful shutdown, and integration with data center infrastructure management (DCIM) platforms. Verify the specific management card compatibility for this chassis with APC's online compatibility tool before purchasing a management card separately. As a line-interactive UPS, it integrates with any load that accepts standard NEMA outlets — confirm outlet count and configuration from the current APC product page or datasheet, as the source evidence available does not enumerate individual receptacles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What input voltage does the SMX3000RMLVUS support?
A: It accepts 100V, 110V, 120V, and 127V input, covering the standard North American utility range and providing tolerance for voltage variation on commercial branch circuits.
Q: Can the SMX3000RMLVUS be installed in a standard server rack?
A: Yes. The chassis occupies 2U in a standard 19-inch rack. It also converts to tower orientation for stand-alone wiring closet installations.
Q: How long do the batteries last before replacement is needed?
A: APC rates the internal lead-acid batteries at 3 to 5 years of service life. Actual life varies with ambient temperature and discharge cycle frequency. Budget for replacement battery cartridges as part of your preventive maintenance schedule.
Q: Does this UPS include a power cable?
A: Yes, one 8-foot (2.4 m) input cable is included.
Q: What is the VA and wattage rating of the SMX3000RMLVUS?
A: The unit is rated at 2880 VA. For watt capacity, refer to APC's current product page or datasheet — the power factor and watt rating are not confirmed in the available source evidence and should not be assumed.
The SMX3000RMLVUS sits in the practical middle of APC's Smart-UPS X rack line — 2880 VA at 120V in a 2U convertible chassis. For security integrators provisioning a mid-size surveillance head-end (NVR, PoE switch, access control panel, workstation), 2880 VA gives you meaningful runtime headroom if you size the connected load to 80% or below. The line-interactive topology is the spec I'd focus on first: it actively corrects voltage without burning battery cycles, which is what keeps that 3–5 year lead-acid service life realistic in real commercial environments rather than theoretical lab conditions.
Technical Highlights:
- 2880 VA Line-Interactive: Voltage regulation without battery switching means the batteries are conserved for actual outages, not routine utility fluctuations — extends battery service life toward the 5-year end of the 3–5 year rated range in stable utility environments.
- 100–127V Wide Input Acceptance: Covers the full North American commercial voltage range in a single SKU, useful when deploying across multiple sites with different utility characteristics — no need to spec a different model per location.
- 2U Rack/Tower Convertible: The chassis physically adapts between rack and tower orientation, which matters on retrofit projects where you're not always working with a full 19-inch rack available at the head-end location.
Deployment Considerations:
- Lead-acid batteries in this class require ambient temperature management — installations in hot IDF closets or unconditioned equipment rooms will shorten battery service life toward or below the 3-year lower bound. Plan cooling accordingly.
- Outlet count and configuration are not confirmed in the available evidence — verify the receptacle layout against your load count before committing to this unit in a multi-device head-end, particularly if you need a mix of battery-backed and surge-only outlets.
The SMX3000RMLVUS is a solid fit for a mid-size physical security head-end in a commercial building: NVR plus managed PoE switch plus access control panel, mounted in a 2U rack in a conditioned IDF. It's not the right call for a data center requiring true double-conversion isolation — for that application, move up to an online/double-conversion topology in APC's Symmetra or Galaxy line.
