APC SMV200CAI UPS review

Today we are testing a brand new line-interactive UPS from APC by Schneider Electric of the Easy UPS series, designed to power loads such as desktop computers, television equipment, ATMs and terminals, as well as other devices without increased power requirements. This is a business model created for those who have been using APC by Schneider Electric products for years and decades and are not going to change them.

The model SMV2000CAI we are considering has the following features:

• Pure sine wave output when running on battery power
• Typical switching time 2 ms
• Mains operation without switching to batteries at input voltage from 157 to 303 V
• Selectable output voltage: 220 or 240 V
• 6 IEC-320 outlets with battery backup
• LCD with bright backlight

Yes, the SMV2000CAI UPS output signal when operating on batteries is almost the same as from the mains, but today this is more a sign of good form than magic.

This model is ready for installation in the infrastructure of a large enterprise, or a remote object, since it has the following management interfaces:

• "Dry contacts" for connecting a control device
• RS232 and USB ports
• Interface Card Slot (APC APV9601 SNMP Card)

Nevertheless, by tradition, we list what we would like to see in this model, but this is not:

• external battery cabinet connection
• load segmentation

That is, if you are looking for a UPS for a workstation or operator's workplace - this is what SMV2000CAI was created for, but if you need to put a UPS at a remote radio point, next to a server cabinet, for a video surveillance system or for a gas boiler in the country - see other models for that.

Exterior and design

It is important for me that a UPS designed for office use has a thick steel case, because it will definitely be kicked by the feet and wheels of the chair, and if a dent appears on the sides, a dishonest dealer may refuse a warranty. Fortunately, the manufacturer doesn't skimp on metal, and the SMV2000CAI has a sturdy, rigid body that doesn't breathe or ring.

Responsible for cooling is one 80-mm fan, which is located on the back of the case. In normal operation, when the battery is charged and the room temperature is within the normal range, the fan stops.

There are no rubber feet: you can move it along the floor without lifting it and consider it both a plus and a minus.

On the plastic front panel there is only one Power button (it is also used to select functions) and a segmented LCD screen with a bright white backlight that turns off automatically. All control is given to a single button-switch, so its actions depend on when and how long you press it. The indication is quite small and is readable only in the immediate vicinity, at a right angle. The only legitimate desire in this case is to use software for control.

From a design point of view, it is worth noting that the UPS is able to be invisible: in normal operation, only something is displayed on an unlit LCD screen, and you can sleep with your face facing it - it will not disturb you.

The software made me happy: here you have both the current state of the power supply circuits and the oscillogram.

Of course, the software is designed for local use, without remote and server functions. & Nbsp;

Despite the fact that in Easy UPS SMV2000CAI you can replace batteries without shutting down the computer, this UPS does not officially support hot swapping.

The battery pack consists of 4 AGM batteries with a capacity of 7.0 Ah.

Schematic

The large internal space allowed for the installation of huge heatsinks for transistors, but even with them, there is a lot of free space inside, and this is good: the UPS is perfectly ventilated. Of course, I am surprised by the number of elements on the board, and I would bet that even in a double conversion UPS, the inverter is much simpler. Of all the components present, I was able to identify the manufacturer of only Aishi capacitors. These are electrolytic containers with a temperature rating of 105 degrees Celsius.

Testing

For testing, we used two stands: an active load of 400 W, corresponding to the power of a modern server with GPU-boards on board, and 1400 W (1800 VA), which roughly corresponds to a loaded telecommunications cabinet of a small company.

Conclusions

It is an excellent candidate for the role of a home UPS or for the role of an office UPS, which is installed on several workplaces at once: a large number of outlets, an ideal sinusoid at the output, and the ability to use an SNMP card for remote monitoring.

Ron Amadeo
27/11.2019