APC by Schneider Electric GVSUPS120KGS-A 120kW Modular Three-Phase UPS

Overview

The APC by Schneider Electric Galaxy VS GVSUPS120KGS-A is a 120kW (120 kVA) three-phase modular UPS designed for enterprise data centers, large commercial facilities, and industrial environments running on 480V AC infrastructure. With support for both lithium-ion and lead-acid battery chemistries, a 576V DC bus, and a true sine wave output, this system gives facilities engineers real flexibility in how they architect runtime, redundancy, and battery refresh cycles — without replacing the entire UPS cabinet. If you're evaluating modular UPS platforms for a 480V critical power environment, the GVSUPS120KGS-A (often searched as GVSUPS120KGS A) is the configuration to benchmark.

Key Features

• 120kW/120kVA at 480V Input: Full unity power factor means rated kilowatts equal rated kilovolt-amperes — no derating penalty for real-world loads. A 480V three-phase feed connects directly without a step-down transformer for most North American data center and industrial switchgear configurations, reducing installation complexity and losses.
• Multi-Voltage AC Output (380V / 415V / 480V): Configurable output voltage lets a single UPS serve mixed international IT equipment or legacy plant hardware on the same bus — valuable in manufacturing or multi-tenant deployments where load profiles span equipment generations and regions.
• True Sine Wave Output: Pure sine waveform protects variable-speed drives, server power supplies, and medical or AV equipment that reject the modified-square waveforms common on lower-cost UPS platforms. If your load includes any active PFC power supplies, sine wave is a hard requirement — this unit meets it.
• Dual Battery Chemistry Support (Li-Ion and Lead-Acid): The 576V DC bus accommodates either lithium-ion or VRLA/lead-acid strings, giving you a path to upgrade battery technology in place as Li-Ion costs continue to fall without swapping the power module itself.
• Modular Form Factor: The Galaxy VS architecture uses a modular design so power capacity and redundancy can be scaled by adding modules rather than replacing units — critical for data center environments where a full UPS changeout means a maintenance window and potential load transfer risk.
• ENERGY STAR 2.0 Certified: Independently verified efficiency performance under the EPA's ENERGY STAR 2.0 for UPS standard — translates to lower heat rejection (64 dB(A) acoustic footprint, 3,268W thermal dissipation) and reduced cooling load, both measurable factors in PUE-conscious facilities.
• Wide Input Frequency Acceptance (40–70 Hz): Tolerates grid frequency drift well outside the standard 50/60Hz ±2% window — important for facilities with on-site generation (diesel gensets, micro-turbines) where frequency can sag during load transfer or startup transients.
• LCD Display: Onboard LCD provides local status visibility without requiring a laptop or network connection — useful during commissioning, maintenance windows, or any scenario where remote management is unavailable.
• REACH / RoHS / China RoHS Compliance: Meets European and Chinese substance regulations — simplifies procurement for multinational organizations with unified compliance requirements across facilities.

Integration and Compatibility

The GVSUPS120KGS-A integrates into facilities running 480V AC three-phase distribution — the standard voltage for North American commercial and industrial switchgear. Its configurable output at 380V, 415V, or 480V AC accommodates downstream PDUs and IT distribution panels without intermediate transformation. The 576V DC bus supports external battery cabinets (not included) for extended runtime configurations, and the modular chassis is designed for the broader Galaxy VS ecosystem of power and battery modules. Operating temperature is rated to 40°C maximum, with a maximum elevation of 3,300 ft — verify site altitude if your facility is in a high-elevation region, as derating may apply above that threshold. For environmental monitoring and remote management integration, consult APC Galaxy VS compatible network management cards; none are included with this SKU.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What battery types does the GVSUPS120KGS-A support?

A: The Galaxy VS GVSUPS120KGS-A supports both lithium-ion and lead-acid battery chemistries via its 576V DC bus. This allows facilities to deploy with conventional VRLA batteries initially and migrate to lithium-ion strings later without replacing the power module.

Q: What is the output voltage configuration for the GVSUPS120KGS-A?

A: The unit provides selectable AC output at 380V, 415V, or 480V to match downstream distribution requirements. Input is 480V AC three-phase.

Q: Does the GVSUPS120KGS-A include batteries?

A: This SKU is configured for external batteries — battery cabinets are not included. The model designation indicates an external-battery configuration intended for facilities that specify runtime via separate battery enclosures.

Q: What is the maximum operating temperature for the GVSUPS120KGS-A?

A: Maximum operating temperature is 40°C. Maximum operating elevation is 3,300 ft; installations above this altitude may require derating consultation.

Q: What certifications does the GVSUPS120KGS-A carry?

A: The unit is ENERGY STAR 2.0 certified and complies with REACH, RoHS, and China RoHS environmental regulations.

Q: What is the warranty on the GVSUPS120KGS-A?

A: The GVSUPS120KGS-A carries a 1-year manufacturer warranty.

Ted Perry

The GVSUPS120KGS-A is the Galaxy VS configuration I'd specify for a 480V critical power environment where battery architecture is still in motion — the dual Li-Ion/lead-acid support on the 576V DC bus is genuinely useful when a facility is mid-cycle on VRLA strings and doesn't want to commit to a full Li-Ion capex upfront. That flexibility alone separates it from single-chemistry competitors at this power class.

Technical Highlights:

• Unity Power Factor (120kW = 120kVA): No derating math required — the load capacity in watts equals the load capacity in volt-amperes, so what you spec is what you get under real resistive and near-unity PFC loads.
• ENERGY STAR 2.0 / 3,268W Thermal Dissipation: That heat rejection number matters when your cooling infrastructure is already loaded. Knowing the precise BTU burden lets you size supplemental cooling without guesswork — and the ENERGY STAR certification gives facilities teams an independently verified efficiency baseline for PUE reporting.
• 40–70 Hz Input Frequency Window: Most enterprise UPS platforms spec ±3Hz around nominal. The Galaxy VS's 40–70Hz window is a real differentiator for sites with generator sets, where frequency can wander significantly during startup and load acceptance before the governor stabilizes.

Deployment Considerations:

• This SKU is external-battery only — factor in battery cabinet selection, DC cabling runs, and enclosure space before finalizing the BOM. Runtime is entirely a function of the external string you pair it with.
• Maximum operating elevation of 3,300 ft is a hard spec; facilities in Denver, Salt Lake City, or any high-altitude site need to verify derating with the manufacturer before commissioning at full load.

This unit is the right pick for a 480V edge data center or campus central UPS room where the team needs sine wave quality power, flexible battery chemistry, and a modular expansion path — particularly in manufacturing or multi-tenant environments where future load growth is probable but not yet quantified.