Using the SMT2200's at half load with a regular 15 amp receptacle?

[Anonymous user]

In our "server room" we currently have two Dell Optiplex workstations, one Dell Precision workstation, one Dell SC400 server soon to be retired/replaced and a Netgear ReadyNAS NV+ fileserver. We also have a Optimum cable modem and Cisco router, a DSL modem for failover, a Sonicwall TZ210, HP Procurve 2510 switch and our Nortel phone system. All of these use standard 15 amp plugs.

Currently we have one Cyberpower 1500VA unit which is nearly maxed out right now for all these devices and doesn't give us much backup time with these devices and the battery is worn out as well.

So we ordered two APC SMT2200 units figuring we could split up the equipment between the two of them to maximize the backup time and give us room for future expansion. Our mistake was we did not take into account that we do not have NEMA 5-20 circuits in the room. We only have regular 5-15 15 amp outlets. Obviously the SMT2200's won't plug in.

My question is, since we currently are not going to exceed much more than maybe 700VA's on each unit with our current equipment could we safely plug these units into the 5-15R 15 amp wall outlet with an adapter to to plug the units 5-20P plug into a 5-15P receptacle? I spoke to APC support and they tell me we can do that but it would void the warranty because it considered a modification to the unit though I am not sure how they could prove we had it plugged into a 15P receptacle. At some point down the road we would have to upgrade our circuits and outlets but for now I am hoping we could still utilize these units with our 5-15R wall outlets. Whats everyones opinion on all this?

Thanks in advance,
Adam

Message was edited by: amn70

Message was edited by: amn70

Message was edited by: amn70

[BillP]

[take a look at this|http://nam-en.apc.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/184].

[Anonymous user]

Thannk you for the link. Very interesting. So according to the document APC themselves states in their knowledgebase it can be done as long as total VA draw is within the guidelines they state. Since I will be drawing around 600-700VA which is about half of the total 1440VA they state in the document is safe to do on a 5-15R I can't see why their support team would tell me it would void the warranty if I simply use a adapter such as the one below. Notice they make no mention of the warranty being voided or not in the document.

[http://www.buypowergear.com/detail.aspx?ID=4709] .

Thanks for the reply.
Adam

[BillP · Accepted solution]

as you can probably understand, APC shouldn't have to support a warranty if you void it by making a modification that leads to the cause a specific failure. also, it most likely will cause an issue with UL when making certain types of modifications. what you specifically described should not do that though. what you are doing will not damage the UPS in anyway and I foresee the only possibility would be tripping your 15amp breaker since the UPS could potentially draw more amperage.