APC by Schneider Electric AP4422 Rack Automatic Transfer Switch 230V 16A
Overview
The AP4422 is a 1U rack-mounted Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) built for data centers, security infrastructure racks, and any deployment where a single power feed is an unacceptable single point of failure. It accepts two independent 230V/16A IEC 309 inputs and presents a single consolidated IEC 309 output to the connected load — switching between sources in 10 milliseconds or less if one feed drops. For NVR arrays, network video management servers, or rack power distribution equipment that cannot afford an unplanned reboot, that transfer speed keeps connected equipment running through a PDU failure, UPS swap, or upstream circuit fault without interruption at the load. Browse the full APC by Schneider Electric power catalog for complementary UPS and PDU options.
Key Features
- Dual IEC 309 16A Inputs: Two fully independent IEC 309-16A, 3-pin input connectors let you feed the AP4422 from two separate UPS units, two separate PDU circuits, or one of each. That physical separation is what makes the redundancy real — a failed UPS that also kills its downstream ATS input is a wiring problem, not a product limitation.
- 10ms Maximum Transfer Time: The worst-case source-to-source transfer is 10 milliseconds — within the hold-up tolerance of virtually all ATX and server-class power supplies. In practice this means connected equipment sees the transfer as a brief voltage sag rather than a hard power loss. Critical for NVR systems mid-write or access control panels mid-credential-transaction.
- 230V / 16A Output: A single IEC 309-16A, 3-pin output rated at 16A continuous handles dense 1U/2U server loads and high-draw surveillance recorders that would overload a standard IEC C13 circuit. The 230V operating point aligns with European and international facility power standards.
- ±10% Input Voltage Tolerance: The AP4422 accepts input ranging from approximately 207V to 253V. That tolerance absorbs the real-world sag that occurs during facility load peaks without a false transfer event — useful in older buildings where the incoming mains aren't tightly regulated.
- 50/60Hz Dual-Frequency Support: Accepts both 50Hz and 60Hz feeds, which matters when equipment travels between regions or a facility has mixed-frequency sources from generator and mains.
- 10kA Short-Circuit Current Rating: Rated for 10kA SCCR, meaning the internal components are specified to survive the fault current a properly protected commercial circuit can deliver. This is a safety compliance figure — it tells you the device won't become a fire hazard on a well-fused distribution panel, and it satisfies the IEC 60950-1 / EN 60950-1 safety certifications the unit carries.
- 1U 431.8mm Rack Form Factor: At 43.7 × 431.8 × 236.2 mm, the AP4422 occupies a single rack unit in a standard 19-inch cabinet. It adds source redundancy without consuming the 2U–3U that a second UPS footprint would require. Weight is 4.29 kg — straightforward for a single-person rack installation.
- Wide Operating Temperature Range: Rated -5°C to 45°C operating, which covers most telecom closets and security equipment rooms without supplemental cooling, and up to 3,000m operating elevation — relevant for deployments in high-altitude facilities or mountain-region infrastructure.
- Safety and EMC Certifications: Compliant with UL/EN/IEC 60950-1 LVD Directive 2014/35/EU and EMC Directive 2014/30/EU. For integrators doing CE-marked system builds or deploying into enterprise environments with compliance requirements, these certifications reduce sign-off friction.
Integration and Compatibility
The AP4422 sits between two power sources and one load — there is no software agent, no SNMP module, and no network management interface described in the available specifications. That keeps integration straightforward: wire in the two IEC 309 feeds, connect the IEC 309 output to the load, and the automatic transfer logic operates independently. For network video recorders and surveillance servers that need power continuity without adding management complexity to the monitoring stack, that passive architecture is a feature. If remote monitoring of transfer events or source status is a project requirement, verify whether the AP4422's form factor family supports an optional management card before specifying it — the current evidence does not confirm a network management option for this model.
The IEC 309 connector standard is the correct choice for 16A industrial and data-center applications in 230V environments — it locks positively and is rated for repeated connect/disconnect cycles, unlike IEC C19/C20 which can loosen over time in high-vibration environments. Verify your upstream PDU or UPS output panel carries IEC 309-16A receptacles before finalizing the installation design. For broader power protection planning in multi-rack security deployments, consider pairing this ATS with dual UPS units on independent electrical circuits to achieve true N+1 redundancy at the power source level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum transfer time of the AP4422 between input sources?
A: The AP4422 transfers between sources in 10 milliseconds maximum. This is fast enough that most server-class and NVR power supplies bridge the gap without dropping power to connected equipment.
Q: What connectors does the AP4422 use for input and output?
A: The AP4422 uses two IEC 309-16A, 3-pin connectors as inputs and one IEC 309-16A, 3-pin connector as the output. Verify your upstream PDUs or UPS units are equipped with matching IEC 309-16A output receptacles before installation.
Q: What is the operating temperature range of the AP4422?
A: The AP4422 operates from -5°C to 45°C and can be stored from -25°C to 65°C. It is also rated for operating elevations up to 3,000 meters.
Q: What safety certifications does the AP4422 carry?
A: The AP4422 is compliant with UL/EN/IEC 60950-1, the LVD Directive 2014/35/EU, and the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU. It also carries a 10kA short-circuit current rating.
Q: Does the AP4422 include network management or SNMP monitoring?
A: The available specifications for the AP4422 do not confirm a built-in network management interface or SNMP module. If remote monitoring of source status or transfer events is required, verify management card availability for this unit before specifying it.
Q: What rack space does the AP4422 require?
A: The AP4422 occupies a single rack unit (1U) in a standard 19-inch cabinet, with dimensions of 43.7 × 431.8 × 236.2 mm and a weight of 4.29 kg.
The AP4422 is a straightforward piece of infrastructure that solves a specific problem: you have a rack of equipment that cannot tolerate an unplanned reboot, and you have two available power sources but need to present a single consolidated feed to the load. The 10ms worst-case transfer time is the number that matters most here — that is the spec that determines whether connected servers and NVRs ride through the switch or experience a hard reset. In most commercial power supply designs, 10ms sits well within hold-up time, so the AP4422 delivers genuine continuity rather than just fast recovery.
Technical Highlights:
- 10ms Transfer Time: Worst-case 10ms source switch keeps server-class and surveillance recorder power supplies in hold-up range — connected equipment typically does not log a power event at all.
- IEC 309-16A Connectors: The locking IEC 309 format handles 16A continuous without the contact degradation risk of IEC C19/C20 in environments with vibration or frequent PDU maintenance cycles.
- 10kA SCCR + IEC 60950-1 Certification: The short-circuit current rating and dual-directive EU certification (LVD 2014/35/EU + EMC 2014/30/EU) mean this unit clears the compliance bar for enterprise and CE-marked system integrations without additional documentation work.
Deployment Considerations:
- Both input feeds must come from genuinely independent circuits — separate breakers on separate upstream panels, ideally fed from separate utility feeds or a utility/generator pair. Redundancy that shares a common upstream breaker or PDU is not redundancy.
- The AP4422 specifications do not confirm a network management interface. If your NOC needs to know which source is active or receive a transfer-event alert, confirm management card support before rack-and-stack — discovering this gap at commissioning wastes time.
This unit is the right specification for a security operations center rack or a high-density NVR bay where the cost of an unplanned recording gap or access control failure outweighs the relatively modest cost of adding a second power feed. It is not the right tool for a deployment that needs managed PDU-level outlet control — that is a different product class.
