APC by Schneider Electric GVSUPS100KGS-A Galaxy VS 100kW Three-Phase Tower UPS
Overview
The APC by Schneider Electric Galaxy VS GVSUPS100KGS-A is a 100 kVA (100 kW) double-conversion online UPS built for critical three-phase loads in data centers, industrial facilities, and commercial power rooms. At 480 V AC input and output, it slots directly into three-phase infrastructure without step-down transformers — a significant simplification in environments already running 480 V distribution. Double-conversion topology means the output is always synthesized from the DC bus, so every connected load is continuously isolated from utility anomalies: sags, surges, harmonics, and outright outages. This model is designed for enterprise UPS and power backup deployments that require scalable external battery runtime rather than fixed internal cells.
Key Features
- 100 kVA Double-Conversion Online: Full double-conversion isolates critical loads from the utility continuously — not just during outages. For sensitive three-phase equipment (servers, CNC, medical imaging), this eliminates the brief transfer-time window you get with line-interactive designs. At 100 kVA, it handles serious rack-density environments or consolidated plant loads.
- 480 V AC Three-Phase Input and Output: Native 480 V three-phase throughout means no transformer losses or added infrastructure between the switchgear and the UPS. Hard Wire 4-wire (3P + E) connection keeps the installation permanent and eliminates the mechanical fatigue of plug/socket cycling on a load this size.
- External Battery Architecture: This unit ships as a start-up configuration designed to pair with external battery cabinets. That architecture is the right call when runtime requirements exceed what internal cells can provide — you add battery capacity without touching the UPS chassis. Scale runtime to match your SLA, whether that's 10 minutes for graceful shutdown or 60+ minutes for extended ride-through.
- 576 V DC Bus: The 576 V DC system voltage is the internal bus that bridges input rectifier and output inverter. Higher DC bus voltage on a unit this size reduces current at the battery interface, which lowers I²R losses in the battery cabling — relevant when battery cabinets are several feet from the UPS.
- Web/SNMP/Modbus TCP and Modbus RTU Management: Four management protocols in one unit — network management via web browser and SNMP for IT-style monitoring, plus Modbus TCP and RTU for integration into building management systems (BMS) and industrial SCADA. Facilities teams and IT can both instrument the same UPS without protocol translation gear.
- Sine Wave Output: Pure sine wave output is non-negotiable for active power factor correction (APFC) power supplies — the kind found in virtually every modern server, storage array, and network switch. A stepped approximation causes APFC supplies to hunt, increasing heat and shortening component life.
- Operating Temperature to 104°F (40°C): Rated to 40°C continuous operation. In plant or industrial environments where HVAC is inconsistent, this headroom means the UPS won't derate or alarm at ambient temperatures that would stress a tighter-spec unit.
- 61 dB(A) Sound Emission: At 61 dB(A), this unit is suitable for occupied server rooms or open-plan data floors. It's not silent, but it's within the range where proximity to workstations isn't a practical problem during normal operation.
- Tower Form Factor: The tower configuration — 58.46" H × 20.51" W × 33.35" D, 250 kg — is sized for dedicated power rooms or large electrical closets. It doesn't rack-mount, so plan floor space and structural loading accordingly. Verify that your floor can handle the weight before positioning, particularly in raised-floor environments.
Integration and Compatibility
The GVSUPS100KGS-A is positioned as a start-up unit within the APC by Schneider Electric Galaxy VS platform. It requires pairing with compatible Galaxy VS external battery cabinets to deliver runtime — the UPS chassis itself ships without internal batteries. Network integration covers the full enterprise stack: SNMP for NMS platforms, Modbus TCP for IP-connected BMS, and Modbus RTU for serial-connected automation systems. If your facility uses a mix of IT monitoring and industrial control infrastructure, this unit bridges both without requiring separate power monitoring hardware. For deployments requiring three-phase UPS solutions above 100 kW, review the broader Galaxy VS family for higher-capacity variants in the same platform architecture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the GVSUPS100KGS-A include internal batteries?
A: No. The GVSUPS100KGS-A is designed for external battery cabinets. It ships as a start-up configuration and requires compatible Galaxy VS external battery enclosures to deliver backup runtime. This architecture allows runtime to be scaled independently of the UPS chassis.
Q: What network management protocols does the GVSUPS100KGS-A support?
A: The unit supports Web-based management, SNMP, Modbus TCP, and Modbus RTU. This covers both IT-standard network monitoring environments and industrial building management or SCADA systems without additional protocol converters.
Q: What is the input and output voltage of the GVSUPS100KGS-A?
A: Both input and output are 480 V AC, three-phase. Connection is via Hard Wire 4-wire (3P + E) — a permanent hard-wired installation, not a plug-in connector.
Q: What is the warranty on the GVSUPS100KGS-A?
A: The manufacturer warranty is 1 year based on available product evidence.
Q: What are the physical dimensions and weight of the GVSUPS100KGS-A?
A: The tower unit measures 58.46" H × 20.51" W × 33.35" D (1,485 mm × 521 mm × 847 mm) and weighs 250 kg (approximately 551 lbs). Floor load capacity and access clearances should be confirmed before installation.
Q: What is the maximum operating temperature for the GVSUPS100KGS-A?
A: The unit is rated for continuous operation up to 104°F (40°C), which provides useful thermal headroom in plant and industrial environments where cooling may be less controlled than a dedicated data center.
The GVSUPS100KGS-A is the version of the Galaxy VS 100kW I recommend when a project has undefined or evolving runtime requirements. Because it ships configured for external battery cabinets rather than internal cells, you're not locked into a fixed runtime ceiling at the time of purchase — the battery string grows with the SLA. The 576 V DC bus also matters here: at that bus voltage, battery cable losses are meaningfully lower than on lower-voltage designs, which matters when cabinets are spread across a power room.
Technical Highlights:
- Double-Conversion Topology: Output is always inverter-generated — no transfer time, no exposure to utility transients. For APFC-equipped server and storage loads, this is the only topology that eliminates the brief window during which an active PFC supply can draw abnormal current.
- Modbus RTU + Modbus TCP: Dual Modbus support means a single UPS can feed both a serial-connected PLC on the plant floor and an IP-based BMS without a protocol bridge. For industrial facilities that run mixed-generation automation infrastructure, this saves a SKU and simplifies the points list.
- 40°C Operating Rating: Most commercial UPS equipment derate noticeably above 25°C. The 40°C continuous rating on this unit is a real differentiator in plant environments where the mechanical room or electrical closet sees summer temperatures well above data-center norms.
Deployment Considerations:
- At 250 kg, this unit requires verified floor load capacity before positioning. In raised-floor data centers, confirm the floor tile and pedestal rating beneath the footprint — 20.51" × 33.35" is a specific load point, not a distributed load.
- The GVSUPS100KGS-A (often searched as GVSUPS100KGS A) ships without external battery cabinets — budget and schedule for sourcing compatible Galaxy VS battery enclosures as part of the same procurement. A UPS without batteries provides zero runtime.
This unit is the right fit for a 480 V three-phase distribution environment where runtime must be sized after the fact — manufacturing facilities with variable shift-length requirements, co-location edge nodes with expanding SLAs, or any site where the power room layout doesn't support internal-battery chassis expansion.
