APC Symmetra PX Extended RUN Premium Battery Cabinet - Power Array Cabinet ( EXT - SYCFXR8-8

APC by Schneider Electric SYCFXR8-8 Symmetra PX Extended Run Premium Battery Cabinet

Overview

The SYCFXR8-8 is a factory-populated extended run battery cabinet for the Symmetra PX uninterruptible power system family — designed for data centers, critical infrastructure control rooms, and enterprise network closets where runtime beyond the base UPS chassis is non-negotiable. Arriving pre-loaded with 8 Panasonic VRLA battery modules arranged in a 32-block string at 192V, this cabinet connects directly to the Symmetra PX via a single hard-wired 4-wire (3PH + G) input, delivering 208V three-phase power to extend the system's backup window without requiring additional wiring complexity or a second PDU. At 2,171 lbs (985 kg) fully loaded, this is a floor-mount-only, data-center-density unit — plan the route from your loading dock before it ships.

The SYCFXR8-8 (often searched as SYCFXR8 8) ships with zero empty battery slots, meaning every position is occupied and producing runtime from day one. That matters for procurement: you're not buying capacity headroom, you're buying a complete string ready to commission.

Key Features

• 8 Panasonic VRLA Battery Modules, 0 Empty Slots: Every bay is populated with a Panasonic valve-regulated lead-acid module. VRLA chemistry is sealed, maintenance-free, and does not require watering or ventilation extraction beyond standard data center airflow — relevant for facilities that prohibit flooded lead-acid installations.
• 192V Battery String, 32 Blocks Per String: The 192V architecture is matched to the Symmetra PX inverter topology. Keeping the string voltage at this level means the inverter operates within its designed conversion window, preserving efficiency and avoiding thermal stress on cells that occur when strings run outside rated voltage bands.
• 208V 3-Phase Input, Single Hard-Wire Connection: One 4-wire (3PH + G) hard-wire termination is all this cabinet requires from the facility side. That single connection point simplifies electrical inspection, reduces potential fault locations, and keeps the as-built drawings clean — a real advantage when your AHJ reviews the installation.
• 50/60 Hz Auto-Sensing Input: The cabinet auto-senses line frequency across 50/60 Hz (±5 Hz), making it deployable in both North American 60 Hz facilities and international 50 Hz sites without manual jumper changes or separate SKUs.
• Enclosed Cabinet, Floor-Mount Form Factor: The enclosed battery cabinet design physically separates the battery array from the UPS electronics, allowing independent battery replacement or cabinet swap without taking the UPS offline (subject to Symmetra PX bypass configuration). The enclosure also provides a degree of physical access control — not a substitute for a locked cage, but better than open-frame alternatives.
• Eurobat General Purpose Certification: The SYCFXR8-8 carries Eurobat General Purpose certification, confirming the battery system meets the European battery performance and classification standard. For multinational deployments or EU facilities requiring documented compliance, this saves the legwork of sourcing third-party test reports.
• Operating Altitude to 3,333 ft (0–3,333 ft): Rated for installations up to 3,333 feet above sea level. Sites at altitude beyond this threshold (Denver edge cases, mountain-region co-lo facilities) should verify derating requirements with the Symmetra PX system documentation before specifying this cabinet.
• Operating Humidity 0–95% Non-Condensing: The full 0–95% relative humidity operating range covers the vast majority of data center environments, including those in humid climates without active dehumidification — as long as condensation does not form on the battery modules.
• Storage Temperature Range –15°C to 45°C (5°F to 113°F): If this cabinet sits in a warehouse or staging area before installation, it can tolerate a wide temperature swing without battery damage, reducing the logistics pressure to move it into conditioned space immediately on receipt.

Integration & Compatibility

The SYCFXR8-8 is purpose-built for the Symmetra PX UPS platform. Verify compatibility with your specific Symmetra PX chassis model and firmware revision before ordering — APC's Symmetra PX line spans multiple frame capacities and the correct extended run cabinet SKU depends on your base unit's power array configuration. The single hard-wire 4-wire input and 192V / 32-block string architecture are the key matching parameters: confirm both align with your Symmetra PX inverter section before the purchase order is issued.

For large uninterruptible power supply deployments where runtime SLAs are contractually defined, this cabinet pairs with a broader APC by Schneider Electric power infrastructure stack including Symmetra PX frames, modular bypass switches, and remote management cards. If your facility uses a DCIM platform, the Symmetra PX's native management integration extends to cover the extended run cabinet's battery health monitoring — no separate monitoring agent required at the cabinet level.

When speccing the physical installation, account for the 2,171 lb loaded weight. Standard raised-floor tiles are typically rated at 1,000–2,500 lbs per tile depending on tile type and pedestal spacing — a point-load calculation is required. Consult your structural engineer or facilities team before placing the cabinet on a raised floor without a spreader plate. For data center infrastructure projects, coordinate with your power distribution team on the 208V 3-phase hard-wire run early in the project schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What battery chemistry does the SYCFXR8-8 use, and does it require venting or watering?

A: The SYCFXR8-8 uses Panasonic VRLA (valve-regulated lead-acid) batteries. VRLA is a sealed, maintenance-free chemistry — no watering, no electrolyte checks, and no requirement for dedicated exhaust ventilation beyond standard data center airflow. This makes it suitable for installations where flooded lead-acid batteries are not permitted.

Q: How many battery modules are included, and are there empty slots available for expansion?

A: The SYCFXR8-8 ships with 8 Panasonic battery modules and 0 empty slots — the cabinet is fully populated at delivery. There is no field-expansion capacity within this cabinet. If you need additional runtime beyond what this fully loaded cabinet provides, a second extended run cabinet would need to be added to the Symmetra PX power array.

Q: What input voltage and wiring configuration does the SYCFXR8-8 require?

A: The cabinet requires 208V 3-phase input via a single hard-wire 4-wire connection (3PH + G). There is one input connector. The unit auto-senses 50 or 60 Hz line frequency (±5 Hz), so no manual configuration is needed when deploying in different regional facilities.

Q: What is the maximum operating altitude for the SYCFXR8-8?

A: The rated operating altitude range is 0 to 3,333 feet above sea level. Installations above this altitude may require derating — consult the Symmetra PX system documentation and APC technical support for high-altitude deployments before finalizing the design.

Q: What certifications does the SYCFXR8-8 carry?

A: The SYCFXR8-8 carries the Eurobat General Purpose certification, which documents conformance to European battery performance classification standards. This is relevant for EU facilities or multinational organizations with standardized compliance requirements. Additional certifications should be verified directly against current APC product documentation for your specific region.

Q: How much does the SYCFXR8-8 weigh, and what are the floor-loading considerations?

A: Fully loaded, the SYCFXR8-8 weighs 2,171.56 lbs (985 kg). This is a significant point load — standard raised-floor tile ratings vary widely (typically 1,000–2,500 lbs per tile). A structural point-load analysis is required before placing this cabinet on a raised floor. Use a spreader plate if tile or pedestal ratings are marginal. Coordinate floor-loading with your facilities or structural engineering team before the cabinet arrives on site.

Marty Allison

When I look at the SYCFXR8-8, the spec that defines the deployment conversation is the 2,171 lb loaded weight — not the battery chemistry, not the string voltage. At 985 kg, this cabinet dictates your site prep timeline more than any other factor, and I've seen projects delayed weeks because nobody ran the floor-load numbers until the cabinet was sitting on the dock.

Technical Highlights:

• 192V / 32-Block Battery String: This string voltage is matched to the Symmetra PX inverter's designed operating window. Mismatched string voltage (wrong extended run cabinet SKU) forces the inverter outside its efficiency curve and accelerates cell thermal stress — verify your Symmetra PX frame's battery array specification before ordering.
• Panasonic VRLA, 8 Modules, 0 Empty Slots: Factory-populated means this cabinet is runtime-ready on delivery — no field battery installation, no torque spec lookups, no installation labor for module seating. For a 985 kg cabinet, reducing installation steps on the data center floor is a real operational advantage.
• Single 4-Wire Hard-Wire Input (3PH + G): One termination point for the electrical contractor, one inspection point for the AHJ, one labeled circuit in the as-built drawings. In a complex data center fit-out with dozens of circuits landing on multiple days, simplicity at the termination point reduces errors and re-work.

Deployment Considerations:

• At 0–3,333 ft operating altitude, the SYCFXR8-8 covers most standard facility elevations, but sites in Denver (5,280 ft) or mountain co-location facilities will be outside the rated range — factor in derating before the design is locked.
• Operating humidity goes to 95%, but the spec does not indicate non-condensing explicitly — avoid environments with rapid temperature swings that could cause surface condensation on the battery modules, particularly during initial power-on after cold storage.

The SYCFXR8-8 is the right specification for a Symmetra PX deployment in a Tier III or Tier IV data center where runtime SLAs demand more than the base UPS chassis provides and the facility has confirmed structural capacity for the floor load. If your floor loading budget is tight or you're working in a network closet with sub-1,000 lb tile ratings, this is not the cabinet to force-fit — address the structural constraints first.