APC BR1200/1500LCDi 230V - Why not available in some countries?

[rau_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/1/2008

---

I've tried to get an answer about this UPS from the APC support in my country, with no sucess.

1 - Why the APC BR1500LCDi UPS has been realeased everywhere from Europe to Africa, to China, to Southeast Asia, but hasn't been released in Brazil, Australia and New Zeland??

2 - When is it going to be released in these countries, more specifically, in Brazil?

I'm looking forward to buying the LCD version because of the boost only mode AVR and also the LCD feature, but here it's available the 120V version only and I live in an area where the voltage is 220V (Phase - Neutral).

This is the only place I hope to get an the answer to my question, because the time I had tried to send a message to the APC american support, the message was forwarded to the brazilian team, even it being written in english, but they don't have the answer for this question. 😞

Link for the 1500LCDi.

http://www.apcc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1500LCDI&ISOCountryCode=GB

If APC has intentions to releasing a different version for these countries where the 230V LCD hasn't been released yet, I give them a suggestion for keeping the coaxial cable protection as well as ethernet protection, as in the 120V version.

Thanks very much!

EDITED:

I have just found out that there is even one version made specifically for Japan which is 100Volts.

http://www.apcc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1200LCD-JP

EDITED ON 10/02/08:

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 10/20/2008

---

hi rau,

here is an answer I received on the issue:

*APC has discussed releasing the product within Brazil, however, there is some discussion as to the design of the output side of the UPS that more information is currently being gathered for. At this time, we cannot provide an ETA for the release."

So regardless, APC realizes there is a market for it but some details need to be worked out for the UPS and the Brazilian market.

[rau_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/20/2008

---

Nice to hear they're discussing the design of the outlets because the current outlet design of the 220V models made by APC are not common in our country, so whe have to to buy adapters so we can use these models. It happens with the RS BR1500 and all the Smart-UPS line and it is not very nice to have to buy 4 to 5 adapters to plug everything. These adapters are cheap, but it's not convinient to spend on this kind of thing. Here is the current shape of outlets that has been used on international 220V models:

IEC-320 C14

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:a2pajQsEDjA10M:http://www.electronicsoutfitter.com/images/items/...

And here the shape they should use since you can plug all the devices made within the country up until now and all the ones that comes from USA. It's the same shape used in the BE-600BR. I don't know the actual code number they call it, but we here call it Universal 2P+T - which stands for 2 prongs + ground.

http://www.comlines.com.br/v3/produtos/57150014.jpg

There is a new shape of outlets proposed in my country and I think it is currently being sold in Brazil these new outlets, but I still haven't seen any appliences coming out with the new design of outlets. They have stipulated a deadline for all the manufactures to adapt their products, I don't know if it is 2012, 2014 the dead line... It's gonna take a while though, so the shape they should use is the one I showed above, the "universal 2P+T"

Here is the new shape they've proposed and is already chosen, but please, don't release an UPS with this shape of outlet because it is still very uncommon and many of our computer stuff comes with the american three prongs type of plugs.

http://www.rlc.eng.br/?op=noticia-15-02-07

I know I'm asking too much, but they should make this unit available with the coax cable protection, as the 1300/1500LCD and also network and telephone protection on the same product, like the RS BR1500. I would use all these protections! 😄

One last question and you don't need to answer because you guys here are doing more than you're obliged to. Could you find out if APC has plans on releasing the 220-230V line of Surge Protectors in my country? The 120V line is very well accepted and as far as I can tell, people in computer forums are really into APC surge protectors since we don't have any other brand that makes high quality surge protectors as APC make. So if you have any information regarding this, it would be very nice to know.

Thank you very much for the attention you guys are gaving to my question. I really appreciate it!

Message was edited by: rau


ONE MORE THING:

By "output" you mean the outlets or the voltage? Please APC, don't make this unit put out 115V like some other units!! Make it 220V!

Message was edited by: rau

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/6/2008

---

Rau,

I certainly don't want you to feel that you're not being heard here. I have passed this thread and information up the chain here at APC and am anxiously awaiting the response from some of our Global Sales team members that can possibly shed some light on your questions.

Once I have more information, I will post back.

[rau_apc · Accepted solution]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/7/2008

---

I really appreciate the attention given to my question.

I have just bought a new APC UPS for another computer here at home, this unit is 220V, but puts out 115Volts. The twelve stepped approximated sinewave models that APC sells in my country, only one puts out 220V and is the most expensive 1500VA RS series. I can kinda understand that since the computer market in Brazil brings a lot of stuff from the USA which needs a step-down power transformer to work here so APC and other local brands take this fact into consideration and realease in our market products that includes the step down transformer feature. Well, I think this reality is changing since most electronics today are coming out with small power supplies that can work all the way from 100V up to 240V.

In my humble opinion, APC should offer more options without the power transformer feature for those who don't need it or don't want it, like me. The international version of the BR1x00LCD would be very welcome in my country. I'm almost certain about that since a big portion of Brazil is 220V and I've seen many people in computer forums asking for a 220V version of the LCD series. A 220V version of the APC line of surge protectors would be a very well sold product in my country as well. The 120V PH8VT3 is one of the best sellers at www.atera.com.br and is becoming hard to find, it's almost always sold out and people on computer forums are asking for a full featured 220V model like those APC sells in Europe, Africa, Asia... The Surge Arrest Performance series.

All I can say now is, thank you very much for your attention!


The BR1200/1500LCDi 230V is now available in Aus and NZ, hopefully will be available in Brazil soon. 🙂 And I also hope a 220V version of the Surge Arrest Performance Surge Protector will be available here sometime.

Message was edited by: rau

Message was edited by: rau