APC by Schneider Electric SRT3000XLI - UPS - Tower - Online - 230V - 2700WATT - 3000VA - IEC 60320

APC by Schneider Electric SRT3000XLI 3000VA Online Double-Conversion Tower UPS

Overview

The APC by Schneider Electric SRT3000XLI is a 3000VA / 2700W double-conversion (online) tower UPS designed for critical loads where a transfer gap is not acceptable. Unlike standby or line-interactive topologies, the SRT3000XLI regenerates a clean, regulated pure sine wave output at all times — your load never touches raw utility power. That matters for sensitive electronics: servers, NVRs, network switches, and IP-based access control panels that react badly to voltage sags, surges, or the brief transfer transient you get from cheaper UPS designs.

With a 100–275V wide input range and 40–70 Hz input frequency tolerance, this unit can accept power from a broad range of sources — including generator output, where frequency wander and voltage instability are common. It delivers a stable 220–240V output at 50 or 60 Hz regardless of what the utility feed is doing.

Key Features

• Double-Conversion (Online) Topology: The load runs off a continuously regenerated inverter output — there is zero transfer time to battery during a utility failure. For IP camera recorders, access control servers, or VoIP infrastructure that reboot on even a 10ms gap, this is the topology that eliminates the problem entirely.
• 3000VA / 2700W Capacity: 2700W of real output power supports a meaningful rack load — a typical 16-channel NVR with six 3.5-inch surveillance drives, a managed PoE switch, and an access control panel can all sit on a single SRT3000XLI with room to spare. Size your actual load against 2700W before assuming you need the next tier up.
• Pure Sine Wave Output: Active PFC power supplies — found in virtually all modern servers, NVRs, and enterprise networking gear — require a true sine wave. A simulated (stepped approximation) wave causes PFC supplies to run hot, behave erratically, or fail prematurely. The SRT3000XLI's inverter output is a genuine sine wave, so compatibility is not a concern.
• 93.5% Efficiency: At 93.5% efficiency in double-conversion mode, heat and operating cost are kept reasonable for a true online UPS. Some deployments configure online UPS units in ECO mode for higher efficiency during stable utility conditions; check your load sensitivity before enabling that option.
• Wide Input Range (100–275V, 40–70 Hz): The unusually broad input window — 100V at the low end, 275V at the high end — means this unit can ride through significant voltage fluctuations without switching to battery. In facilities with aging electrical infrastructure or generator backup, that translates directly to longer battery life and fewer nuisance battery events.
• 340J Surge Energy Rating: Built-in surge protection at 340 joules handles transient spikes on the input line before they reach connected equipment. Not a substitute for a dedicated transient voltage surge suppressor on high-value loads, but it provides a meaningful baseline layer.
• Emergency Power Off (EPO): EPO support allows a remote hard-shutdown trigger — a requirement in many data center and server room compliance frameworks. Wire the EPO input to your facility's emergency shutoff circuit and the UPS drops output immediately on activation, independent of software or network connectivity.
• 55 dB Noise Level: A double-conversion UPS runs its inverter continuously, so acoustic output matters if the unit is installed in an office-adjacent wiring closet. At 55 dB, the SRT3000XLI is comparable to a quiet desktop fan — not silent, but acceptable in most equipment rooms with the door closed.
• Audible Alarms: On-board audible alarms alert on-site personnel to utility failure, low battery, and overload conditions without requiring a network management card or monitoring software to be configured first — useful during initial commissioning or in sites without dedicated UPS management infrastructure.
• IEC 60320 C20 Input Connector: The C20 inlet accepts a standard C19-to-C20 power cable, which is the same connector family used on most rack PDUs. That simplifies integration into existing power distribution infrastructure.

Integration & Compatibility

The SRT3000XLI is designed for environments running commercial UPS and power protection infrastructure alongside IP security and networking equipment. The IEC 60320 C20 input and IEC output receptacles are standard across network video recorders, managed switches, and server platforms, so no adapter hunting is required in most installations.

For network-managed deployments, the SRT3000XLI supports an optional network management card (slot-based, verify compatibility with your network card model before ordering). Without a card, local monitoring is via the front panel display and audible alarms. For larger APC UPS deployments where centralized shutdown and event logging are required, pairing with APC's PowerChute software is the standard approach — confirm software compatibility with your operating system version independently.

This unit ships as a tower configuration. If rack mounting is required, verify the availability of a compatible rail kit for the SRT family before deployment — tower-to-rack conversion kits are sold separately and are not always included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between the SRT3000XLI's double-conversion topology and a line-interactive UPS?

A: A line-interactive UPS switches to battery when utility voltage falls outside an acceptable window — there is a brief transfer gap (typically 2–10ms) during the switchover. The SRT3000XLI's double-conversion (online) topology runs the load off a continuously regenerated inverter output at all times. There is no transfer gap during a utility failure because the inverter is already the active power source. This matters for loads that reboot or fault on short power interruptions.

Q: What input voltage range does the SRT3000XLI support?

A: The SRT3000XLI accepts input voltages from 100V to 275V and frequencies from 40 to 70 Hz. This wide range allows the unit to operate from generator power or unstable utility feeds without switching to battery unnecessarily, which extends battery service life.

Q: Does the SRT3000XLI produce a pure sine wave output?

A: Yes. The SRT3000XLI outputs a genuine pure sine wave at 220–240V, 50 or 60 Hz. This is required for loads with active PFC power supplies, which includes most modern servers, NVRs, and enterprise networking equipment. Simulated sine wave UPS units can cause instability or premature failure in PFC-equipped power supplies.

Q: What is the EPO function and when is it required?

A: EPO (Emergency Power Off) is a hardwired input that drops the UPS output immediately when triggered — independent of software or network connectivity. It is typically required in data center and server room environments under fire suppression or electrical safety compliance frameworks. The SRT3000XLI includes EPO support; wiring requires connection to your facility's emergency shutoff circuit.

Q: How loud is the SRT3000XLI during normal operation?

A: The SRT3000XLI generates approximately 55 dB during normal double-conversion operation. Because the inverter runs continuously (not just during a power event), this is the baseline operational noise level — not a transient alarm sound. It is comparable to a quiet desktop fan and is generally acceptable in a dedicated equipment room, but may be noticeable in an open office environment.

Q: Does the SRT3000XLI include a network management card?

A: Network management capability requires an optional add-on card installed in the management slot. The base SRT3000XLI unit provides local monitoring via front panel display and audible alarms. If SNMP-based monitoring, graceful OS shutdown, or centralized event logging are required, a compatible network management card must be ordered separately.

Jerry Tildsen

The SRT3000XLI is the model I reach for when a customer's load is too sensitive for any transfer gap at all. The 93.5% efficiency in double-conversion mode is worth noting — older online UPS designs often ran at 88–90%, which added real heat load in a cramped IDF closet. The 2700W capacity is also genuinely usable: I've sized it against a 16-channel NVR with a full drive bay, a 24-port PoE switch, and an access control server and come out with 30% headroom to spare.

Technical Highlights:

• 100–275V Input Range: On generator-backed sites where frequency drifts to 45 Hz and voltage sags to 110V under load, the SRT3000XLI's 40–70 Hz / 100–275V input window keeps the unit on bypass-bypass rather than hammering the battery. Battery replacement intervals on wide-range units like this are measurably longer in generator-primary sites.
• Pure Sine Wave + 3:1 Crest Factor: The 3:1 crest factor tolerance means the inverter handles loads with high peak-to-RMS current draw — switching power supplies, motor-start loads, and UPS-fed PDUs with mixed downstream equipment. That's more headroom than many competing online units at this wattage class.
• EPO Support: In any deployment subject to NFPA 75 (IT equipment rooms) or local fire marshal requirements, EPO isn't optional — it's a code compliance item. Having it native on the SRT3000XLI means you're not bolting on an external relay solution.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 55 dB continuous noise floor is the operational state, not an alarm condition — plan for that in office-adjacent wiring closets. A closed equipment room door solves it in most cases, but confirm with facilities before placing the unit near occupied workspace.
• Network management requires a separately purchased card. If graceful OS shutdown during extended outages is part of your site's power continuity plan, budget and source that card at the same time as the UPS — retrofitting after installation means a second maintenance window.

This unit is the right fit for a security operations center or server room supporting a multi-site video surveillance backbone — specifically where the NVR, network core, and access control server all need to survive a utility failure without a single frame drop or authentication timeout.