Commonality in Control Panels

[MarkC_apc]

This is somewhat related to my recent post requesting information on usability of a completely functional Smart UPS that has lost and/or damaged it's control panel.  Upon diving a little deeper into various control panel circuit boards, it is quite visible that the physical layout of the SU and SUA models is very similar, however the electronics have changed - as have the method of attachment - e.g. some have RJ-45 interface connections, others have soldered connections and others have ribbon cable removable connectors.  I've included comparison photos.

Question?  Is it possible to substitute a control circuit board from one model to another?  All have the same type of ribbon cable - and if the connections are duplicated exactly at the ribbon cable connections, can a spare control panel from a "dead" unit be substituted to another - that would allow a "push button" interface rather than depending upon the network management card approach. 

Note that it was quite informative to me that a SUA5000 unit WITHOUT the front bezel (containing the control panel) could be fully controlled from the NMC - some loss of convenience, but functional!  You can search for that post for more information.

[voidstar_apc]

Yes, the network management card can completely control the UPS.

I'm not sure about the particular models you're concerned with, but I've mistakenly used the wrong control panel on another APC UPS and although it looked similar, it was wired differently so only one button worked and the wrong LEDs lit up.

[MarkC_apc · Accepted solution]

Appears there is no common pinout of the ribbon cable.  Suppose it's possible the signalling methods and voltages could be different also.

Thanks