APC by Schneider Electric SYPM10K16H Symmetra PX 16kW Power Module
Overview
The SYPM10K16H is a 16kW/16kVA power module designed for the Symmetra PX modular UPS platform — the right component when you need scalable, double-conversion online power protection in a 3-phase data center or critical infrastructure environment. At 400V 3-phase input and configurable 380/400/415V 3-phase output, this module integrates directly into the Symmetra PX frame and delivers hardwired 5-wire (3PH + N + G) output to a single zone. If you're building or expanding a modular UPS architecture where per-module scalability matters more than a monolithic UPS replacement, the SYPM10K16H is the capacity block to size your build around.
Weighing 62.8 lbs (28.5 kg) and measuring 5.2 inches in depth, this front-mounted module slots into the Symmetra PX enclosure without disrupting adjacent modules — a practical advantage when adding capacity to a live system. No battery modules are included; this is a pure power conversion module, so plan your battery module count separately based on your runtime requirements.
Key Features
- Double-Conversion Online Topology: The SYPM10K16H runs fully online at all times — incoming AC is converted to DC and back to AC continuously, meaning zero transfer time on utility failure. For PLC systems, SAN arrays, or telecom switching gear that can't tolerate even a 10ms gap, this is the topology you need. VFI-SS-111 classification confirms it.
- 16kW / 16kVA at Unity Power Factor: Rated at 16,000W and 16,000VA, this module operates at a 1.0 power factor — no derating for modern server PSUs and switching loads that present near-unity power factors. You get the full 16kW of usable capacity, not a fraction of the VA rating.
- Configurable 3-Phase Output Voltage: Output is field-configurable for 380V, 400V, or 415V 3-phase nominal, giving you flexibility to match local distribution standards without additional transformers. Input accepts 340–477V, accommodating real-world utility variance across European and international grids.
- Input Power Factor 0.99 and THD Below 5%: Drawing at 0.99 input power factor with less than 5% total harmonic distortion at full load, this module places minimal distortion back onto your building's electrical distribution. Facilities managers running shared panels with sensitive instrumentation will appreciate the clean current draw.
- Output Voltage Regulation ±1% Static: Static output voltage tolerance holds to ±1%, tightening to ±5% even at a 100% load step. This level of regulation protects sensitive rack-mounted equipment from voltage excursions during sudden load changes — a common failure mode when spinning up high-draw compute loads simultaneously.
- Output THD Below 2% Linear / Below 6% Non-Linear: Less than 2% output voltage THD under linear load, under 6% at full non-linear load. Medical imaging, precision lab equipment, and broadcast gear are particularly sensitive to output waveform distortion — these numbers keep you within equipment manufacturer tolerances.
- Overload Handling — 125% for 10 Minutes, 150% for 60 Seconds: Built-in overload tolerance gives the module time to recover or transfer gracefully rather than tripping immediately. During planned maintenance windows or unexpected load spikes, 125% for 10 minutes provides meaningful headroom without forcing a hard shutdown.
- Input Frequency Range 40–70 Hz: The wide input frequency acceptance window (40–70 Hz) accommodates generator sources, which routinely drift outside the standard 47–53 Hz utility band during startup and loading. This matters specifically when the SYPM10K16H is downstream of a generator in a generator-plus-UPS topology.
- Maximum Input Current 33A Per Phase: At 33A maximum per phase on a 400V 3-phase feed, confirm your upstream breaker and cable sizing before installation. IEC 60309 or equivalent industrial 3-phase connectors are the appropriate termination approach given the hardwire input specification.
- 63 dBA Acoustic Level: Rated at 63 dBA, this module is not suited for open-office or quiet NOC environments without acoustic enclosures. For a dedicated data hall or walled equipment room, 63 dBA is typical for a module of this capacity class.
- Operating Altitude to 3,333 ft (0–3,333 ft MSL): The 3,333-foot operating altitude ceiling is a real constraint for high-altitude deployments — installations above this elevation will require derating calculations. Standard for this equipment class, but worth flagging early in site surveys for mountain-region facilities.
- CE Certified, EN 50091-1 / EN 50091-3 / FCC Part 15 Class A: CE marking and FCC Part 15 Class A certification confirm the module meets European LV Directive and US conducted/radiated emissions limits. FCC Class A restricts this to commercial/industrial environments — it is not rated for residential installation.
Integration & Compatibility
The SYPM10K16H is a Symmetra PX platform component — it is not a standalone UPS. Deployment requires a compatible Symmetra PX frame/chassis with available module bays. The hardwired 5-wire output (3PH + N + G) connects to downstream distribution equipment or PDUs within the same rack system. Output frequency synchronizes to mains at 50/60 Hz ±3 Hz user-adjustable, with ±0.1 Hz sync accuracy and ±0.1% free-running stability at 50 Hz — relevant when paralleling modules or integrating with downstream frequency-sensitive equipment.
The SYPM10K16H ships with an installation guide. No battery modules, no management cards, and no external bypass accessories are included. Budget separately for APC Symmetra PX battery modules to meet your runtime targets, and verify frame bay availability before ordering. Thermal dissipation at full load is 2,573 Btu/h — factor this into room cooling calculations for high-density deployments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What UPS frame is the SYPM10K16H compatible with?
A: The SYPM10K16H is a module for the APC Symmetra PX modular UPS platform. It requires a compatible Symmetra PX frame with available power module bays. It is not a standalone UPS.
Q: Does the SYPM10K16H include battery modules?
A: No. The SYPM10K16H is a power conversion module only — it ships with zero battery modules and zero empty battery slots. Battery modules must be ordered and installed separately to provide runtime.
Q: What input voltage and phase does the SYPM10K16H require?
A: The module requires a 400V 3-phase input, accepting a range of 340–477V to accommodate utility variance. Input is via a single hardwire 5-wire connection (3PH + N + G), with a maximum of 33A per phase.
Q: Can the output voltage be configured for different 3-phase standards?
A: Yes. The SYPM10K16H output is configurable for 380V, 400V, or 415V 3-phase nominal, allowing it to match local distribution standards without additional step-up or step-down transformers.
Q: What is the overload capacity of the SYPM10K16H?
A: The module handles 125% of rated load for up to 10 minutes and 150% of rated load for up to 60 seconds before protective shutdown. This provides meaningful headroom during load transients or planned maintenance events.
Q: Is the SYPM10K16H suitable for high-altitude installations?
A: The rated operating altitude ceiling is 3,333 feet (approximately 1,016 meters) above sea level. Installations above this elevation will require derating and should be evaluated against APC application guidelines before deployment.
The SYPM10K16H sits at the core of the Symmetra PX modular architecture — and the spec I come back to most when sizing a deployment is the 0.99 input power factor combined with sub-5% input THD. In a shared electrical plant where you're feeding multiple critical loads from the same distribution panel, that clean current draw means the UPS module isn't degrading power quality for adjacent equipment. That matters in a dense equipment room.
Technical Highlights:
- Double-Conversion Online (VFI-SS-111): Zero transfer time on utility failure — the output is continuously regenerated from DC, so there is no gap event. For SAN controllers, real-time process equipment, or telecom switching gear, this is the only acceptable topology.
- 16kW Unity Power Factor Rating: The 1.0 power factor means 16,000W equals 16,000VA — no hidden derating penalty. Modern server PSUs and switching power supplies present near-unity loads, so you get the full rated capacity working for you, not a fraction of the nameplate VA.
- 2,573 Btu/h Full-Load Dissipation: At full load the module throws 2,573 Btu/h of heat — in a tightly packed frame with multiple modules running near capacity, that thermal load adds up fast. Run your room cooling calculations before commissioning, not after.
Deployment Considerations:
- The hardwire 5-wire input (3PH + N + G) at up to 33A per phase requires upstream breaker and cabling to be sized and in place before the module arrives on site — this is not a plug-and-play installation and should be coordinated with your electrical contractor during the pre-deployment walkthrough.
- The 3,333-foot operating altitude ceiling is a firm constraint. If your data center sits above roughly 1,000 meters MSL — common in mountain-region facilities across Colorado, Switzerland, or South Africa — confirm APC's derating guidelines apply before finalizing the order, or you'll be back-ordering replacements after commissioning fails inspection.
The SYPM10K16H is purpose-built for modular 3-phase critical power infrastructure in European-standard and international data center environments — specifically where the Symmetra PX frame is already deployed and capacity needs to scale incrementally without full UPS replacement. It is not the right component for North American 208V single-frame deployments or any installation that doesn't already have a compatible Symmetra PX chassis on the floor.
