APC by Schneider Electric SUA500PDR-S vs Middle Atlantic S500R: Specification Comparison
Both the APC SUA500PDR-S and Middle Atlantic UPS-S500R are 500VA line-interactive UPS units designed to protect sensitive AV, security, and network equipment in rack or near-rack environments. While APC publishes a richer electrical performance profile, Middle Atlantic focuses on physical integration specs suited to its own rack ecosystem. This comparison examines runtime and power delivery, physical form and installation, and protection features to help rack-system integrators and IT buyers choose the right unit for their deployment.
In This Guide
Which UPS delivers more usable power and longer runtime?
The APC SUA500PDR-S is rated at 500VA / 320W output with a published efficiency of 94%. At full load (320W) it provides 7.4 minutes of backup, extending to 21 minutes at half load (approx. 160W). Recharge time is 2 hours from a single sealed VRLA battery.
The Middle Atlantic UPS-S500R is rated at 500VA. No watt (W) output, efficiency percentage, runtime at full or half load, or recharge time is specified in the provided data. Buyers cannot verify power delivery headroom or battery backup duration from the available specs for this model.
How do these units mount and fit into a rack installation?
The Middle Atlantic UPS-S500R is explicitly rack-mounted at 1RU (1.73 in H × 19 in W × 9.06 in D), with a 10 ft power cord, 2 mounting points, and a mounting depth range of 19–32 inches. Shipping weight is 20.4 lbs. These specs are optimized for direct integration into Middle Atlantic rack enclosures.
The APC SUA500PDR-S carries a 'Hard' designation in its product title, which typically indicates hardwired input, but no rack-unit height, depth, width, weight, or cord length is published in the provided specifications. Installers requiring confirmed 1RU rack fit cannot verify this from available data.
What surge protection, input tolerance, and environmental ratings does each unit offer?
The APC SUA500PDR-S provides a documented surge energy rating of 540 joules, an input operating voltage window of 75–154V (at 120V nominal), and an input frequency range of 47–63 Hz. Operating temperature is 0–40°C, storage temperature is −15–45°C, and operating relative humidity is 0–95% (non-condensing assumed). These figures directly inform deployment in variable-power environments such as remote facilities or construction sites.
The Middle Atlantic UPS-S500R lists 'Basic' surge protection type but provides no joule rating, no input voltage range, and no input frequency tolerance. It is UL Listed and FCC compliant. No operating or storage temperature or humidity specifications are provided in the available data.
Which should you choose: the SUA500PDR-S or the S500R?
Our take: The SUA500PDR-S is the stronger choice when documented electrical performance, runtime guarantees, and environmental ratings are required for the purchasing decision. APC publishes a 320W real-power output vs. the Middle Atlantic's unspecified wattage, a 540J surge rating vs. 'Basic' with no joule figure, and a confirmed input voltage window of 75–154V versus no stated input range for the S500R. The APC also provides verified runtime figures (7.4 min full load / 21 min half load) and a 94% efficiency rating — none of which the Middle Atlantic spec sheet supplies. The UPS-S500R's advantage is physical: a confirmed 1RU rack profile with precise dimensions (9.06 in D, 19 in W) and a 19–32 in mounting depth range, making it purpose-built for Middle Atlantic enclosures. Integrators standardized on Middle Atlantic racks who need a dimensionally guaranteed fit may prefer the S500R, but they do so without confirmed runtime or watt output data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | APC by Schneider Electric SUA500PDR-S | Middle Atlantic S500R |
|---|---|---|
| VA Rating | 500 VA | 500 VA |
| Real Power Output (W) | 320 W | — |
| Efficiency | 94% | — |
| UPS Topology | Line-interactive | — |
| Surge Energy Rating | 540 J | Basic (no joule rating specified) |
| Input Voltage Range | 75–154 V | — |
| Input Frequency Range | 47–63 Hz | — |
| Runtime at Full Load | 7.4 min | — |
| Runtime at Half Load | 21 min | — |
| Battery Recharge Time | 2 h | — |
| Battery Type | Sealed Lead Acid (VRLA) | — |
| AC Outlets | 3 | 6 |
| Rack Units | — | 1 RU |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | — | 1.73 in × 19 in × 9.06 in |
| Cord Length | — | 10 ft (3.1 m) |
| Operating Temperature | 0–40 °C | — |
| Certifications | — | UL Listed, FCC |
| TAA Compliant | — | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the SUA500PDR-S or the S500R?
The SUA500PDR-S is the stronger choice when documented electrical performance, runtime guarantees, and environmental ratings are required for the purchasing decision. APC publishes a 320W real-power output vs. the Middle Atlantic's unspecified wattage, a 540J surge rating vs. 'Basic' with no joule figure, and a confirmed input voltage window of 75–154V versus no stated input range for the S500R. The APC also provides verified runtime figures (7.4 min full load / 21 min half load) and a 94% efficiency rating — none of which the Middle Atlantic spec sheet supplies. The UPS-S500R's advantage is physical: a confirmed 1RU rack profile with precise dimensions (9.06 in D, 19 in W) and a 19–32 in mounting depth range, making it purpose-built for Middle Atlantic enclosures. Integrators standardized on Middle Atlantic racks who need a dimensionally guaranteed fit may prefer the S500R, but they do so without confirmed runtime or watt output data.
Is the SUA500PDR-S or the UPS-S500R better for rack deployments with strict space constraints?
The Middle Atlantic UPS-S500R is the only model with published rack dimensions (1RU, 1.73 in H × 19 in W × 9.06 in D) and a confirmed mounting depth range of 19–32 inches. The APC SUA500PDR-S does not include rack height, width, depth, or weight in the provided specs, so its physical fit in a 1RU slot cannot be confirmed from available data.
Which unit gives me more protection during power fluctuations or brownouts?
The APC SUA500PDR-S documents a wide input voltage window of 75–154V and a 47–63 Hz frequency range, allowing it to ride through significant sags before switching to battery. It also carries a 540J surge energy rating. The Middle Atlantic UPS-S500R lists only 'Basic' surge protection with no joule figure and provides no input voltage or frequency tolerance data.
Can I confirm how long either UPS will keep my equipment running during an outage?
Only the APC SUA500PDR-S publishes runtime: 7.4 minutes at full load and 21 minutes at half load, with a 2-hour recharge time. The Middle Atlantic UPS-S500R provides no runtime figures at any load level in the available specifications, so backup duration cannot be estimated from spec data alone.
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