APC by Schneider Electric SUA5000R5TXFMR 5kVA Smart-UPS with Integrated Transformer
Overview
The APC by Schneider Electric SUA5000R5TXFMR is a 5 kVA / 4000W rack-mounted uninterruptible power supply built around an integrated step-down transformer that bridges 208V facility power to 120V loads — eliminating the external transformer box that typically complicates data center and security system buildouts. If your building runs 208V three-phase distribution but your UPS and power protection loads are 120V equipment — NVRs, servers, access control panels, networked security appliances — this unit handles the voltage conversion and battery backup in a single rackmount package.
The SUA5000R5TXFMR draws from APC's Smart-UPS line, a well-established rack UPS family known for pure sine wave output on battery and manageable runtime characteristics for commercial loads. The sealed lead acid (VRLA) battery chemistry keeps maintenance predictable: no liquid to check, no venting requirements beyond standard ventilation clearance. With a 9.4-minute full-load runtime and 26.7 minutes at half load, this unit is sized for graceful shutdown and short-term ride-through, not extended outages — pair it with a generator if your uptime requirements exceed 30 minutes under real-world mixed loads.
Key Features
- 5 kVA / 4000W Output: Enough headroom to carry a mid-size NVR rack, network switches, access control hardware, and associated infrastructure simultaneously. The 80% power factor (4000W from 5kVA) is honest spec — plan your load at 4000W maximum, not 5000.
- Integrated 208V-to-120V Transformer: Most facilities with 208V distribution require a separate autotransformer when powering 120V equipment. The SUA5000R5TXFMR folds that conversion into the chassis — one fewer device, one fewer failure point, cleaner rack layout.
- 9.4 Minutes at Full Load / 26.7 Minutes at Half Load: Runtime sizing is straightforward: if your protected load averages 2000W, expect roughly 26 minutes of battery time. That's enough for a full controlled shutdown of a video surveillance server or access control head-end. Understand this is VRLA chemistry — runtime degrades predictably as batteries age past 3–4 years.
- Pure Sine Wave Output on Battery: Active PFC power supplies in NVRs, servers, and network equipment require true sine wave during transfer to battery. Square wave or stepped approximation UPS units cause load shutdowns or supply damage on transfer — this unit avoids that failure mode entirely.
- 1x Ethernet (RJ-45) Management Port: Network management via SNMP lets you integrate UPS status into your DCIM, building management, or VMS health dashboard. Battery state, load percentage, and alarm conditions are all remotely visible — critical for unmanned equipment rooms.
- Audible Alarms + LED Indicators: On-battery status, overload conditions, and battery fault all surface as audible alerts plus front-panel LEDs, so technicians without remote monitoring access can immediately diagnose the UPS state during a site visit.
- Operating Range 0–40°C, 0–95% RH (non-condensing): Covers standard IDF/MDF and security head-end room environments. The 3000m altitude rating accommodates high-elevation deployments — useful for mountain campus or high-altitude facility work where other UPS units derate significantly.
- CSA / UL 1778 / FCC Class A Certifications: UL 1778 is the specific UPS safety standard — not a generic electrical listing. CSA covers Canadian installation requirements. FCC Class A covers commercial/industrial environments. All three are relevant for permitting and insurance compliance on commercial security system installations.
- 53 dB Noise Output: Comparable to a quiet office environment. Relevant if the UPS is installed in a space with human occupancy — security operations centers, reception areas, or shared IT rooms. Not silent, but not disruptive.
- VRLA / Sealed Lead Acid Battery: No maintenance required during normal battery life. Battery replacement is a standard field procedure — APC replacement battery cartridges for this family are widely available through commercial distribution channels. Plan a battery replacement cycle at 3–5 years depending on operating temperature and discharge frequency.
Integration & Compatibility
The SUA5000R5TXFMR is designed for rack integration in commercial environments where 208V branch circuits are the facility standard. It ships as part of the broader APC Smart-UPS product family, which means it is compatible with APC's PowerChute network shutdown software for automated, OS-aware graceful shutdown of protected servers and NVRs. The single RJ-45 management port supports SNMP-based integration with third-party NMS platforms and building automation systems. For enterprise security deployments, this maps cleanly to network video recorder rack environments where 208V distribution is standard but NVR equipment runs on 120V IEC or NEMA connections.
When sizing this unit against your load, account for inrush current on startup — motor loads and large switching supplies can draw 2–3x steady-state current at power-on. If your protected rack includes multiple NVRs with spinning drive arrays, stagger power-on sequences or verify the UPS's instantaneous current capacity handles simultaneous startup. The 5kVA rating provides reasonable headroom for typical commercial access control and video security racks, but a load calculation before commissioning is not optional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What input voltage does the SUA5000R5TXFMR require?
A: The SUA5000R5TXFMR is designed for 208V input. The integrated transformer steps the voltage down to support 120V loads — this is what distinguishes this model from standard Smart-UPS units that accept 120V input directly.
Q: What is the runtime at full load for the SUA5000R5TXFMR?
A: At full load (4000W), the rated runtime is 9.4 minutes. At half load (2000W), runtime extends to 26.7 minutes. These figures apply to new batteries under standard operating conditions — expect gradual degradation as batteries age.
Q: Does the SUA5000R5TXFMR require external transformer hardware?
A: No. The transformer is integrated into the SUA5000R5TXFMR chassis. You connect directly to a 208V facility circuit without a separate autotransformer, which simplifies rack layout and reduces the number of components requiring maintenance.
Q: What certifications does the SUA5000R5TXFMR carry?
A: The SUA5000R5TXFMR is certified to CSA, UL 1778 (the specific UPS safety standard), and FCC Class A (commercial/industrial environments). These certifications support permitting and compliance requirements for commercial installations in the US and Canada.
Q: What battery type does the SUA5000R5TXFMR use, and how often should it be replaced?
A: The SUA5000R5TXFMR uses sealed lead acid (VRLA) batteries. VRLA batteries require no fluid maintenance during their service life. Typical replacement intervals are 3–5 years depending on operating temperature, discharge frequency, and ambient conditions — hotter operating environments accelerate degradation.
Q: Can the SUA5000R5TXFMR be monitored remotely?
A: Yes. The unit includes one RJ-45 Ethernet management port. SNMP-based monitoring allows you to integrate UPS status — load percentage, battery state, alarm conditions — into a network management system or building automation platform without requiring a technician on site.
The SUA5000R5TXFMR solves a specific and recurring problem in commercial security rack deployments: your building's electrical distribution runs 208V, but your NVRs, servers, and access control equipment all want 120V. The standard answer has always been an external autotransformer taking up rack space and adding another maintenance item. APC folded that transformer into the UPS chassis on this unit — if that's your situation, this is the right model to spec. The 4000W continuous output leaves enough margin for a realistic mixed-load rack without pushing the unit close to its limit.
Technical Highlights:
- 9.4-Minute Full-Load Runtime: This is sized for orderly shutdown, not extended outage coverage. At 4000W full load, you get under 10 minutes — enough to trigger automated PowerChute shutdown sequences on connected servers and NVRs. Plan runtime expectations honestly with your customer before installation.
- 53 dB Acoustic Output: Audible but not disruptive. In a dedicated equipment room this is a non-issue. In a shared space — security operations center, front-desk IDF — verify this is acceptable before the unit goes in. It's comparable to background HVAC noise in most commercial spaces.
- UL 1778 + CSA + FCC Class A: All three certifications are on the unit. UL 1778 is the specific UPS safety standard required for commercial installations in many jurisdictions — not a generic listing. CSA covers Canadian projects. FCC Class A covers commercial environments as opposed to residential. Relevant for AHJ submittals.
Deployment Considerations:
- The VRLA battery is maintenance-free during its service life, but that life is temperature-dependent. Operating consistently near the 40°C upper limit accelerates capacity loss — if the equipment room runs warm, budget for a shorter battery replacement cycle, closer to 3 years than 5.
- The 0–95% relative humidity operating range is broad, but condensation is the actual risk. If the unit is installed in a space that experiences temperature swings — an outdoor cabinet, a loading dock IDF — verify that humidity stays non-condensing. The spec sheet doesn't provide a wet-bulb limit, so treat condensation prevention as an installation responsibility, not a product guarantee.
This unit is the right specification for a commercial security equipment room or server rack fed from 208V branch circuits where the protected loads are 120V equipment and runtime needs are limited to graceful shutdown rather than extended ride-through. It is not the right tool for environments needing 30+ minutes of battery backup under real load — size a generator transfer switch alongside it for those scenarios.
