APC by Schneider Electric SUA500PDR-H vs Middle Atlantic S500R: Specification Comparison
Both units are 500VA line-interactive UPS devices intended to protect sensitive electronics from power disturbances. The APC SUA500PDR-H is a DIN-rail-mountable, hardwire-input industrial unit targeting cabinet or panel installations, while the Middle Atlantic UPS-S500R is a 1RU rack-mount unit with a standard corded input and six outlets, aimed at AV/IT racks. Despite the shared 500VA rating, the two serve meaningfully different installation contexts — industrial hardwire versus rack-and-plug — yet a buyer specifying a 500VA UPS for a physical-security equipment rack would legitimately evaluate both.
In This Guide
- How do the power capacity, output, and surge protection specs compare?
- Which unit fits which physical installation environment — rack, panel, or cabinet?
- What management interfaces and operating-environment specs does each unit provide?
- Which should you choose: the SUA500PDR-H or the S500R?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
How do the power capacity, output, and surge protection specs compare?
The APC SUA500PDR-H is rated at 325 W / 500 VA with a surge energy rating of 540 Joules. Output is delivered via a single hardwire 3-wire terminal (HN + E), meaning no plug-in convenience outlets are provided. Input voltage range spans AC 82–144 V (with an adjustable range of AC 75–154 V), giving it a wide tolerance window before the battery engages. Output frequency is regulated at 57–63 Hz.
The Middle Atlantic UPS-S500R is rated at 500 VA; a watt rating is not stated in the provided specifications. It provides 6 corded outlets and describes its surge protection type only as 'Basic' — no Joule rating is given. The unit is corded (10 ft cord) rather than hardwire. Input voltage range, output wattage, and frequency specifications are absent from the supplied data.
Which unit fits which physical installation environment — rack, panel, or cabinet?
The APC SUA500PDR-H is DIN-rail mountable with a hardwire 3-wire input, making it appropriate for industrial panels, electrical enclosures, or DIN-rail-equipped security equipment cabinets. Its listed dimension is 14.3 in (single axis only; depth and height are not broken out in the specs). It ships at 29.32 lbs and does not occupy rack units, meaning it is not intended for standard EIA 19-inch racks.
The Middle Atlantic UPS-S500R is a 1RU rack-mount device: 19 in wide × 9.06 in deep × 1.73 in tall, with a maximum mounting depth of 32 in and a minimum of 19 in. It ships at 20.4 lbs and uses two mounting points. Its corded 10 ft input and six outlets make it straightforward to deploy in a standard AV or IT rack with no electrician required. It is not DIN-rail compatible per the provided specs.
What management interfaces and operating-environment specs does each unit provide?
The APC SUA500PDR-H includes an RS-232 serial port (DB-9), an EPO (Emergency Power Off) interface, and a SmartSlot expansion bay for optional network management cards. Operating temperature is specified at 32–122 °F (0–50 °C), humidity tolerance is 0–95%, recharge time is 2.5 hours, and audible noise is rated at 55 dBA. Compliance is confirmed to UL 1449, and the warranty is 2 years.
The Middle Atlantic UPS-S500R lists UL Listed (FCC field) as its certification; UL 1449 compliance is not explicitly stated. No management interface, EPO port, or expansion slot is documented in the provided specifications. Operating temperature range, humidity tolerance, recharge time, and acoustic noise figures are all absent. TAA compliance is stated as No. Warranty terms are not provided in the supplied specs.
Which should you choose: the SUA500PDR-H or the S500R?
Our take: The SUA500PDR-H is the stronger choice when the installation calls for a hardwire-input, panel or DIN-rail-mounted UPS in an industrial or physical-security enclosure with remote management needs. Three concrete spec deltas support this: first, the SUA500PDR-H carries a documented 540 J surge energy rating versus no Joule figure for the S500R (listed only as 'Basic'); second, the SUA500PDR-H provides an RS-232 management port and SmartSlot expansion bay, while no management interface is specified for the S500R; third, the SUA500PDR-H's operating range is confirmed at 32–122 °F with 0–95% humidity tolerance, versus no environmental specs published for the S500R. Conversely, the UPS-S500R is the practical choice for a standard 19-inch AV or IT rack needing six plug-in protected outlets and a corded input with no licensed electrician — its 1RU form factor and lighter 20.4 lb ship weight simplify deployment in those environments. Platform qualifier: neither unit specifies PoE output, so both require downstream PoE switches for camera protection.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | APC by Schneider Electric SUA500PDR-H | Middle Atlantic S500R |
|---|---|---|
| VA Rating | 500 VA | 500 VA |
| Watt Rating | 325 W | — |
| Topology | Line-interactive | — |
| Form Factor | DIN-rail mountable | 1RU rack-mount |
| Rack Units | — | 1 RU |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 14.3 in (single axis only) | 19 × 9.06 × 1.73 in |
| Ship Weight | 29.32 lbs | 20.4 lbs |
| Input Connection | Hardwire 3-wire (1PH + N + G) | Corded, 10 ft cord |
| Input Voltage Range | AC 82–144 V (adj. 75–154 V) | — |
| Output Connectors | 1 × hardwire 3-wire (HN + E) | 6 corded outlets |
| Surge Energy Rating | 540 J | — (listed as 'Basic') |
| Management Interface | RS-232 DB-9 + EPO + SmartSlot | — |
| Battery Recharge Time | 2.5 hours | — |
| Operating Temp Range | 32–122 °F (0–50 °C) | — |
| Humidity Range | 0–95% | — |
| Compliance / Certifications | UL 1449 | UL Listed |
| TAA Compliant | — | No |
| Warranty | 2 years limited | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the SUA500PDR-H or the S500R?
The SUA500PDR-H is the stronger choice when the installation calls for a hardwire-input, panel or DIN-rail-mounted UPS in an industrial or physical-security enclosure with remote management needs. Three concrete spec deltas support this: first, the SUA500PDR-H carries a documented 540 J surge energy rating versus no Joule figure for the S500R (listed only as 'Basic'); second, the SUA500PDR-H provides an RS-232 management port and SmartSlot expansion bay, while no management interface is specified for the S500R; third, the SUA500PDR-H's operating range is confirmed at 32–122 °F with 0–95% humidity tolerance, versus no environmental specs published for the S500R. Conversely, the UPS-S500R is the practical choice for a standard 19-inch AV or IT rack needing six plug-in protected outlets and a corded input with no licensed electrician — its 1RU form factor and lighter 20.4 lb ship weight simplify deployment in those environments. Platform qualifier: neither unit specifies PoE output, so both require downstream PoE switches for camera protection.
Can I plug devices directly into the SUA500PDR-H the same way I would with the UPS-S500R's six outlets?
No. The SUA500PDR-H provides a single hardwire 3-wire output terminal (HN + E), not plug-in convenience outlets. All load connections must be hardwired. The UPS-S500R, by contrast, provides six corded outlets for direct plug-in use. If plug-in outlets are required, the S500R is the appropriate choice.
Does either unit support network monitoring or remote management?
The SUA500PDR-H includes an RS-232 serial port (DB-9), an EPO interface, and an APC SmartSlot expansion bay that can accept optional network management cards. No management interface of any kind is listed in the provided specifications for the UPS-S500R.
Which unit is rated for harsher environmental conditions?
The SUA500PDR-H's specifications document an operating range of 32–122 °F and 0–95% humidity. No operating temperature range, humidity tolerance, or acoustic noise rating is provided in the available specifications for the UPS-S500R, so a direct environmental comparison cannot be made from the supplied data.
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