APC by Schneider Electric SMC1000-2UC Line-Interactive 1000VA 2U Rackmount UPS
Overview
The APC by Schneider Electric SMC1000-2UC is a 1000VA line-interactive uninterruptible power supply built for rackmounted deployments where clean, conditioned power is non-negotiable. Occupying 2U of rack space and running on 120V input, it fits naturally into standard IT, security, and AV equipment racks without requiring a dedicated power circuit. If you're protecting a small NVR stack, a network closet, or an edge compute node, the SMC1000-2UC delivers battery backup and automatic voltage regulation in a compact, proven form factor.
Line-interactive topology — the right call at this capacity — corrects brownouts and overvoltages through automatic voltage regulation (AVR) without switching to battery. That keeps battery life longer and reduces runtime interruptions during minor grid fluctuations, which are far more common than full outages in most commercial environments.
Key Features
- 1000VA / 2U Rackmount Form Factor: At 3.39 in. H × 17 in. W × 16 in. D, the SMC1000-2UC drops into any standard 19-inch rack with the included mounting brackets. Two rack units is the sweet spot for sub-1500VA capacity — enough headroom for an NVR, a PoE switch, and a managed firewall without consuming the rack depth that tower UPS units require.
- 120V Input with Automatic Voltage Regulation: AVR actively bucks or boosts incoming voltage before it reaches your equipment. Under-voltage conditions — common in older commercial buildings and during peak-load periods — are corrected without a battery transfer, meaning your connected gear never sees the sag that degrades power supplies over time.
- 6 Output Outlets: Six outlets give you enough connections for a realistic small-rack load: NVR, switch, router or firewall, access control panel, and a spare or two. Each outlet shares the UPS's conditioned output, so all six benefit equally from AVR and surge suppression.
- USB Management Port: The USB interface allows graceful shutdown software to monitor UPS status and trigger an orderly OS shutdown on connected servers or NVR appliances before the battery exhausts. For unattended edge deployments — remote surveillance closets, unmanned IT rooms — this is the difference between a clean shutdown and filesystem corruption on the next morning's power restoration.
- Lead-Acid Battery Chemistry: Sealed lead-acid batteries are field-replaceable and widely available, which matters for long-lifecycle deployments. When runtime degrades after several years, you're not retiring the UPS — you're swapping a battery. APC's Smart-UPS C line uses standard hot-swap-capable packs in most configurations.
- 8-Foot Input Cord: The 8 ft. power cord provides enough reach to hit a PDU or wall outlet without a cable management compromise. In tight rack environments, shorter cords create routing problems; 8 ft. eliminates that constraint in most standard rack setups.
- Black Rackmount Finish: Matches standard rack equipment aesthetics. Not a performance spec, but relevant in client-facing or data-center environments where rack appearance is part of the install standard.
Integration & Compatibility
The SMC1000-2UC (often searched as SMC1000 2UC) connects to servers, NVR appliances, network switches, and access control hardware via standard NEMA 5-15 outlets. USB connectivity pairs with PowerChute software for automated graceful shutdown on Windows, Linux, and select NVR platforms. For deployments requiring network-based SNMP monitoring — remote UPS status, runtime remaining, load percentage — an optional APC AP9631 or AP9641 UPS Network Management Card can be installed in the expansion bay, converting this unit into a fully network-manageable device without replacing the UPS itself.
At 1000VA, realistic protected load capacity is roughly 600–700W depending on power factor of connected equipment. Size your load accordingly: an NVR drawing 80W plus a 24-port PoE switch at 150W plus a firewall at 40W lands well within range. Overloading a UPS beyond its rated wattage trips the overload protection and switches to bypass — defeating the purpose.
What's in the Box
- 1× APC Smart-UPS C SMC1000-2UC UPS unit
- 1× USB cable
- 1× Set of rack mounting brackets
- 1× Installation guide
- 1× Documentation CD
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the input voltage requirement for the SMC1000-2UC?
A: The SMC1000-2UC requires 120V AC input, standard for North American commercial and residential circuits. Verify your rack PDU or wall outlet is 120V before installation.
Q: How many outlets does the SMC1000-2UC provide?
A: It provides 6 output outlets. All six deliver conditioned, battery-backed power — there is no split between battery-backed and surge-only outlets based on the available specifications.
Q: What rack space does the SMC1000-2UC require?
A: The unit occupies 2U (3.39 in. H) of a standard 19-inch rack. Depth is 16 inches, which fits most mid-depth and full-depth rack enclosures.
Q: Can I monitor the SMC1000-2UC remotely over the network?
A: The base unit includes USB management for local graceful shutdown software. For full SNMP/network monitoring, an optional APC UPS Network Management Card can be installed in the expansion slot — confirm slot availability for this SKU before ordering the NMC.
Q: What battery type does the SMC1000-2UC use?
A: It uses a sealed lead-acid battery. Replacement batteries are a standard part of the Smart-UPS C product line and are widely available for field replacement without retiring the unit.
Q: Does the SMC1000-2UC provide automatic voltage regulation?
A: Yes. As a line-interactive UPS, it includes AVR that corrects brownouts and overvoltages without switching to battery, which extends battery service life and protects connected equipment from sustained voltage abnormalities.
The SMC1000-2UC lands in a very specific sweet spot: it's the UPS I'd spec for a 2U-constrained rack running a mid-tier NVR, a managed PoE switch, and an access control panel — equipment where a 10-minute runtime during a short outage is enough to either ride through the blip or execute a clean shutdown. The 120V input and 6-outlet configuration cover the typical small-to-mid security rack without overengineering the power protection budget.
Technical Highlights:
- Line-Interactive AVR: Voltage regulation without battery transfer is the key differentiator over basic standby UPS units. In commercial buildings with aging electrical infrastructure, brownouts are a daily occurrence — AVR absorbs those silently. Battery stays fresher longer, and your NVR's power supply isn't being stressed by repeated sub-threshold voltage events.
- 2U / 16-inch Depth: At 3.39 in. H × 17 in. W × 16 in. D with rack brackets included, this drops into a standard open-frame or enclosed rack without a depth adapter. The 16-inch depth fits even shallow-depth wall-mount enclosures, which is relevant for remote security closets.
- USB Graceful Shutdown: The USB port isn't just for monitoring — pair it with PowerChute or compatible NVR software and you get an automated shutdown sequence that preserves filesystem integrity on battery exhaustion. For an unmanned remote site, this is the difference between a recoverable shutdown and a service call to repair a corrupted NVR drive.
Deployment Considerations:
- Size your connected load conservatively — 1000VA translates to roughly 600–700W of real wattage depending on equipment power factor. Itemize your NVR, switch, and ancillary draw before finalizing the spec. If you're running a PoE switch under full load, that alone can push 150–200W.
- If SNMP network monitoring is in your scope, confirm the expansion bay supports the APC NMC before ordering — not all Smart-UPS C configurations expose the same slot. The base SMC1000-2UC ships with USB only; remote monitoring requires the additional NMC accessory.
For a compact surveillance or access control rack at a branch office, retail location, or remote security closet — where you need rackmount form, clean power, and a 2U footprint — the SMC1000-2UC is a straightforward, field-proven specification.
