How to connect more than one APC Smart UPS

[BillP]

Hi

I need help ....my environment is:

I have a Rack with some servers running in it.

Inside this rack there is 2 APC Smart UPS 2200VA ( SMT2200RMI2U ) .

Because all the servers have 2 power unit, I connected each servers to both the UPS (to have redundancy).

With this working configuration, I'm able, to supply electrical power to the servers for 20-25 minutes (after that the UPS goes shutdown).

I need to double this time (more or less).

I need to buy 2 new APC Smart UPS ( I.E.)  5000 VA and replace my 2 APC SMT2200RMI2U , or

can I do something else?

Can I , for example , buy again 2 SMT2200RMI2U to put together with the 2 SMT2200RMI2U present now?

Thanks.

Pierluigi

[BillP]

Hi,

To increase the runtime of a SMT2200RMI2U you must decrease the load. So if you add additional UPS and remove some load from the existing UPS and place that load on the new UPS the runtime on the existing UPS will increase. Another option is to replace the existing SMT2200 with SMX2200 Smart-UPS you have the option of adding external battery packs that will increase the available runtime. 

If you replace the existing SMT2200 with Smart-UPS 5000 you will also need to change the incoming AC connection. A Smart-UPS 5000 requires larger input to accommodate the larger output. 

[BillP]

Hi Bill

Thank you for your information.

But can I add addition external battery (another SMT2200) to the existent SMT2200 ?

I mean if I can connect a new SMT2200 to the existing SMT2200 using the Outlets number six in the image (so I can extend the time) or I can do this type of connection only with the SMX2200 model ( that means to me I have to buy all new things).

Thanks in advance if you can reply me.

Pierluigi

[BillP]

Hi,

You could plug 1 SMT2200 into another so that when AC is cut the first in the chain will power the second until its battery/s die but that is not a supported configuration and it may violate local electric code. We offer SMX Smart-UPS to allow user that need extended runtime the ability to add external battery pack to increase the runtime. 

[voidstar_apc]

If you buy two new SMT2200, I would plug them into separate outlets (not on the UPS) and split your servers between the 2 old and 2 new UPSes. That lowers the load on each UPS and increases runtime. On the other hand, Bill's solution using SMXs instead would allow you to rack fewer UPSes, use less outlets, and be able to scale runtime up as desired by purchasing more batteries.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi Bill and Voidstar

Thanks. I understood. I don't want to use an  un-supported configuration ( plug a SMT into another in an electric way not supported)

I know now there is SMX version that allow to extend the battery pack.

Anyway, I'm going to buy 2 new SMT to use as  Voidstart said.

It is for our present configuration the best ( I think) as I don't have to throw away my 2 SMT to buy new SMX.

Thanks you both for the help.

Have a nice day.

Pierluigi