Run SU5000RMT5U on 240v?

[Anonymous user]

Hey everyone. 🙂

My company has inherited an older (circa 2003) but working SmartUps 5000. The original location had it running on 208v, which is what the nominal voltage is for that UPS. However, the location where we'd like to use it has 120 and 240v only.

According to the specifications: (http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SU5000RMT5U)

• Input voltage range for main operations: 157 - 255V
• Input voltage adjustable range for mains operation: 151 - 268V

This suggests that it can run at 240v just fine. However, the PDF version of the manual (available on the APC site) only states 208v in the specifications and does not mention what needs to be changed/altered in order for the UPS to function properly on 240v.

So, my two questions are:

• Can this UPS function properly on 240v?
• If so, what needs to be changed on the UPS in order to run on 240v?

Thanks in advance! 🙂

[Anonymous user]

Hey everyone. 🙂

My company has inherited an older (circa 2003) but working SmartUps 5000. The original location had it running on 208v, which is what the nominal voltage is for that UPS. However, the location where we'd like to use it has 120 and 240v only.

According to the specifications: (http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SU5000RMT5U)

• Input voltage range for main operations: 157 - 255V
• Input voltage adjustable range for mains operation: 151 - 268V

This suggests that it can run at 240v just fine. However, the PDF version of the manual (available on the APC site) only states 208v in the specifications and does not mention what needs to be changed/altered in order for the UPS to function properly on 240v.

So, my two questions are:

• Can this UPS function properly on 240v?
• If so, what needs to be changed on the UPS in order to run on 240v?

Thanks in advance! 🙂

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Any of the Smart UPS models beginning with "SU" or "SUA" with a "T" in their part number at the end are designed for nominal 208V only. You're going to have multiple problems feeding it 240V including:

• The highest transfer point (where it will go to battery) will be 239V.
• The range you see in the PDFs and web page for input voltage are accounting for Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) functions.
• Even if you set the transfer point to 239V, the UPS won't run well and will be transferring constantly to and from AVR and on battery operation.
• The UPS will not run well/reliably and you risk the UPS not operating online (as I noted) and also when it won't turn on
• The 120V convenience outlets (limited to 400VA) will output a little bit higher voltage than 120V.
• We have units specifically designed for 208V or 240V which allow you to change between them (like Smart UPS RT) and this UPS does not have that option unfortunately.

I don't think there is anything you can change to get this to operate on 240V, not that we could recommend or support anyway.

[BillP]

No problem! Please let us know if you have further questions.

[Anonymous user]

Hi Angela,

Thanks for clarifying input voltage for that specific UPS model.

Would you know which Smart-UPS 5000VA-rated model could be acceptable for 240V input ? The only other one I can see on APC's site is this one:

SUA5000R5TXFMR

Thanks for confirming this, it will greatly help.

Regards,

Alexandre

[BillP]

Hi Alexandre,

I was looking at APC Product Information for Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" /> - ...

Other considerations would be the Symmetra 6K Rack Mount or Symmetra LX 8kVA (which could cover 5kVA as well but they do 208V/240V).

[Anonymous user]

Hi Angela,

I clicked on the link you provided, but I cannot find anything resembling "SURTD"... I even did a search on the APC website.

Could you provide me with an exact model number and/or link?

And would be able to confirm if the model SUA5000R5TXFMR is suitable for 240V input?

Thanks,

Alexandre

[Anonymous user]

Oops, I just saw that the SURTD models are online UPS... They are a bit out of my range, which is why the line-interactive SUA5000R5TXFMR model is interesting for me.

[BillP]

Ah I see. Sorry - I double checked and anything that is SUA5000 (so any variant of that SKU is 208V input only - the highest you can set the transfer point is 239V and it just won't run properly.

I also checked to verify what I thought - only those SURT models are 208/240V and then the other items I mentioned. Is there a way you can change this input at the location if an online UPS is not an option?

[Anonymous user]

Thanks Angela. Unfortunately, I cannot change the utility output to 208V at my location... I'm looking at the used market because this is for a college project where I teach, so maybe I should go for smaller models (3000VA), line-interactive, that can work at 240V input (or even 120V), and provide with 120V outputs. Double-conversion, online models are not affordable for us right now.

[BillP]

Bummer. Wish we could find something.

[Anonymous user]

If I want to stay in the entry-level, line-interactive models, with 3000VA+, it looks like the 120V 3000VA Smart-UPS would be best suited to fit our utility (SMT3000RM2U). Otherwise, 230V, line-interactive models don't output 208V or 120V if I'm correct.

Unless I go with online models of course, per your recommendation.

I'll try to find a used SMT3000RM2U or SUA3000RM2U.

Thanks for everything Angela.

Alexandre

[BillP]

Hi Alexandre,

You're welcome. Are you able to split the (2) legs that make your 240V and that is how you're able to use 120V instead?