APC Symmetra PX - UPS ( External ) - AC 120/208 V - 10000 VA - UPS Battery - 1 X - SY10K40F

APC by Schneider Electric SY10K40F Symmetra PX 10kVA Modular 3-Phase Online UPS

Overview

The APC by Schneider Electric SY10K40F is a 10kVA/10kW double-conversion online UPS built for mission-critical 3-phase power environments — data centers, server rooms, and industrial facilities where a single-point power failure is not acceptable. Starting at 10kW with a single power module installed, the SY10K40F scales in-frame to 40kVA/40kW by adding up to four additional power modules without taking the load offline. That field-expandable architecture means you can right-size the initial purchase and grow capacity as infrastructure demands increase, avoiding the cost of a full UPS replacement at the next refresh cycle.

Double-conversion online topology means the load runs entirely on conditioned inverter output at all times — input grid noise, sags, and surges never reach your equipment. The built-in static bypass provides an automatic transfer path without mechanical relay delay if the inverter reaches a fault state, and the external bypass connection supports maintenance without dropping the load.

Key Features

• Scalable Power Modules — 10kW to 40kW in Frame: ships with 1 of 5 power module slots filled; add up to 4 more modules (40kVA/40kW max) as load grows. Capacity upgrades happen live — no scheduled downtime, no truck roll for a replacement UPS.
• Double-Conversion Online Topology: load rides entirely on inverter output, not the utility. Voltage transients, frequency drift, and harmonic noise from the grid are completely blocked. Output voltage tolerance is ±1% static and ±5% at 100% load step — tight enough for sensitive network and compute gear.
• Output THD Under 2% (Linear Load): less than 2% THD at linear loads and under 5% at full non-linear load. Clean sine wave output protects switching power supplies from the harmonic heating that shortens PSU life.
• 94% Efficiency in Battery Operation: at full load on battery, the SY10K40F runs at 94% efficiency — directly reduces heat output (3,381 Btu/h rated) and lowers generator fuel burn during extended outages.
• Extendable Runtime via External Battery Frames: the single included battery module (SYBT4 replacement, +/-192V split) supports basic runtime; external battery frames extend runtime for long outage scenarios without replacing the UPS itself.
• 2-Hour Typical Recharge Time: battery charge power is rated at 1,375W — recharge completes in approximately 2 hours after a full discharge, restoring protection quickly between sequential outage events.
• Built-in Static Bypass — 175A Rated: automatic static bypass rated at 175A protects the load during module faults; max bypass input current is 162A. No mechanical transfer lag compared to electromechanical designs.
• Input Power Factor 0.99: near-unity input power factor minimizes reactive current draw on the upstream distribution system — reduces feeder and transformer sizing requirements compared to older UPS designs with 0.8–0.9 PF.
• Harmonic Distortion Under 5%: input current THD under 5% at full load keeps the SY10K40F from injecting harmonics back into shared building distribution panels — important in multi-tenant data halls and co-location facilities.
• Multi-Function LCD Control Console: front-panel LCD provides status, load percentage, battery runtime, and fault codes without requiring a management network connection — useful during initial commissioning or network-isolated deployments.
• NEMA 1 Enclosure, 81.5-Inch Floor-Standing Frame: designed for indoor computer room and data center floor deployment. At 896.89 lb (406.82 kg) fully configured, structural floor loading must be verified before installation.
• Operating Altitude to 10,000 ft: rated for operation up to 10,000 ft — usable in high-altitude data centers and mountain-region facilities without derating the published output.

Integration and Compatibility

The SY10K40F accepts 208V 3-phase input via a hard-wire 5-wire connection (3PH + N + G) with a 3-pole input breaker and a maximum input current of 162A per phase. Output is available as 120V single-phase and 208V 3-phase via hard-wire 5-wire, with a maximum output current of 111A. Upstream overcurrent protection at 150A is required on the output circuit. The bypass circuit requires a separate 175A protection device. APC's Symmetra PX frame accepts compatible power modules, battery modules (SYBT4), and intelligence modules — confirm module compatibility against the current APC Symmetra PX accessory matrix before ordering expansion components.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the maximum power capacity of the SY10K40F frame?

A: The SY10K40F frame supports up to 40kVA/40kW by filling all five power module slots. It ships with one module installed (10kW), leaving four slots available for capacity expansion without taking the load offline.

Q: What input power does the SY10K40F require?

A: The SY10K40F requires 208V 3-phase via a hard-wire 5-wire connection (3PH + N + G). Maximum input current is 162A per phase. A 3-pole breaker is included as the input protection device.

Q: What is the replacement battery module for the SY10K40F?

A: The replacement battery module is the APC SYBT4. The SY10K40F ships with one battery module installed and supports external battery frames for extended runtime.

Q: How long does the SY10K40F take to recharge its batteries?

A: Typical recharge time is approximately 2 hours after a full discharge. Battery charge power is rated at 1,375W.

Q: What is the UPS topology of the SY10K40F?

A: The SY10K40F uses double-conversion online topology. The load runs entirely on conditioned inverter output at all times, providing complete isolation from utility power anomalies including voltage sags, surges, and frequency deviations.

Q: Does the SY10K40F include bypass capability?

A: Yes. The SY10K40F includes a built-in static bypass rated at 175A, with a 5-wire bypass connection (3PH + N + G) for maintenance bypass. Max bypass input current is 162A.

Marty Allison

The SY10K40F is the entry configuration of APC's Symmetra PX scalable frame — and the key word is 'scalable.' You buy a 10kW UPS today and expand to 40kW in the same enclosure as load grows, with no planned outage to do it. That's the real value proposition here, and it's why this platform gets specified on data center builds where the Phase 1 load is known but Phase 2 and 3 are not.

Technical Highlights:

• Double-Conversion Online at 94% Efficiency: the load never touches utility power — the inverter is always in the path. At full load on battery the unit runs at 94% efficiency, which at 10kW means roughly 600W of heat loss. That's manageable in a standard computer room; verify your cooling can absorb 3,381 Btu/h at sustained load.
• Near-Unity Input Power Factor (0.99): older 3-phase UPS designs drew reactive current at 0.80–0.85 PF, which forced upstream transformer and feeder oversizing. At 0.99 PF, the SY10K40F pulls close to pure real current — your electrical contractor will notice the difference in panel sizing calculations.
• Output THD Under 2% Linear / 5% Non-Linear: tight harmonic output spec matters when the downstream load includes high-density blade servers with switching PSUs. Poor UPS output quality accelerates PSU capacitor wear — this spec is one of the harder numbers to hit at 10kW+ scale.

Deployment Considerations:

• At 896.89 lb (406.82 kg) fully configured, verify structural floor loading before positioning the frame — data center raised floors often have point-load limits well below this weight without supplemental support beneath the tile grid.
• The SY10K40F ships with one power module in five slots and one battery module in four battery slots — runtime on the base configuration is limited. Size your battery frame order alongside the UPS order if you have a specific runtime target; waiting to order batteries separately after installation is a common commissioning delay.

The SY10K40F is the right starting point for a phased data center build where 10kW covers today's compute density but the electrical infrastructure is already sized for 40kW — financial services edge deployments, regional healthcare data rooms, and co-location build-outs where the tenant mix is still being finalized all fit this profile.