APC SMC3000I Smart-UPS C 3000VA 3kVA

 APC SMC3000I Smart-UPS C 3000VA 3kVA

APC SMC3000I Smart-UPS C delivers 3000VA of comprehensive uninterruptible power supply protection engineered for demanding business environments where multiple servers, storage systems, and network infrastructure require simultaneous protection at 230V. This line-interactive UPS represents the flagship capacity within the Smart-UPS C series, providing the substantial power reserves and extended runtime that organizations need when supporting mission-critical applications where system availability directly determines business continuity.

Substantial Power Capacity and Runtime

Operating at 3000VA with 2100 Watts of real power output, the APC SMC3000I supports significantly larger equipment loads than mid-range models. This increased wattage accommodates multiple high-performance servers, enterprise storage arrays, fully populated network racks, or combinations of business-critical equipment requiring simultaneous protection during power disturbances.

Key technical specifications:

• Output power capacity: 2100 Watts / 3000VA
• Input voltage: 230V nominal
• Output voltage: 230V regulated
• Topology: Line-interactive with automatic voltage regulation
• Output waveform: Stepped approximation to sine wave
• Transfer time: 4 milliseconds typical
• Full load runtime: 4.5 minutes
• Half load runtime: 14.6 minutes
• Tower form factor with rack-mount conversion capability

Advanced LCD Management Display

The multi-function LCD interface on the APC SMC3000I Smart-UPS C provides comprehensive operational visibility through a clear, backlit display accessible without network connectivity or external monitoring devices. The display presents input voltage quality, battery charge status, estimated runtime at current load, output load measurements in both watts and percentage, and detailed system diagnostic information.

Administrators can navigate multiple information screens displaying electrical parameters, load consumption trends, historical event data, and configuration settings using intuitive front-panel controls. This local management capability proves invaluable during installation verification, troubleshooting power events, and capacity assessment when adding equipment loads.

The interface enables users to initiate manual battery tests, silence audible alarms temporarily during extended outages, adjust voltage sensitivity thresholds based on site-specific power quality, and review recent power event logs directly from the unit without connecting to management software or network interfaces.

Sophisticated Voltage Regulation Technology

The APC SMC3000I implements advanced boost and trim AVR circuitry that maintains precise output voltage stability despite significant input fluctuations. When utility voltage drops below acceptable thresholds, the boost circuit increases voltage to protect equipment from brownout conditions that cause system instability, database corruption, or premature hardware failure.

When input voltage exceeds safe parameters, the trim circuit reduces voltage to prevent overvoltage stress on sensitive electronic components within servers, storage controllers, and networking equipment. This bidirectional correction operates across an exceptionally wide input voltage window spanning 160-286V, accommodating challenging power quality conditions common in older facilities or regions with inconsistent utility infrastructure.

By correcting voltage deviations electronically rather than switching to battery operation, the APC SMC3000I Smart-UPS C preserves battery charge for complete power failures. This intelligent approach extends battery service life by minimizing unnecessary discharge cycles while ensuring full runtime capacity remains available during actual outages when protection matters most.

Flexible Outlet Configuration

Eight IEC 320 C13 outlets provide standardized connectivity for business IT equipment with common power cords. The APC SMC3000I organizes outlets into two independently managed groups: four outlets delivering full battery backup with surge protection, and four outlets providing surge protection only.

This strategic outlet segregation enables administrators to prioritize critical equipment for battery backup—such as servers, storage systems, core network switches, and database servers—while connecting less essential peripherals like monitors, printers, environmental sensors, or secondary network equipment to surge-protected outlets. This allocation optimizes battery runtime for systems requiring uninterrupted operation.

The outlet arrangement accommodates standard equipment power cords with adequate spacing preventing oversized power adapters or transformer blocks from blocking adjacent receptacles. All outlets feature robust construction rated for frequent connection cycles typical in dynamic business environments experiencing regular equipment changes.

Comprehensive Software Management

USB connectivity enables sophisticated monitoring and automated shutdown coordination through PowerChute Personal Edition software. This application supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and various virtualization platforms including VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V, providing real-time UPS status monitoring, configurable shutdown parameters, detailed event logging, and proactive maintenance notifications.

The APC SMC3000I Smart-UPS C orchestrates intelligent shutdown sequences when runtime approaches exhaustion, systematically closing applications, synchronizing databases, flushing disk caches, saving configuration files, and powering down systems to prevent data corruption or filesystem damage. For virtualized environments, the software coordinates with hypervisors to migrate virtual machines to alternative hosts or perform orderly shutdowns.

Email and SNMP notification functionality alerts designated IT personnel when power disturbances occur, battery tests reveal declining performance, overload conditions develop, or replacement becomes necessary. These proactive communications enable timely maintenance scheduling and ensure the UPS remains operational for subsequent power events.

Energy metering tracks consumption patterns over time, providing detailed data for capacity planning, departmental cost allocation, and efficiency optimization initiatives. This visibility helps organizations understand actual power requirements and identify opportunities for infrastructure consolidation or configuration improvements.

Mission-Critical Deployment Applications

Organizations deploy the APC SMC3000I across demanding business-critical applications:

• Multiple rack-mount servers supporting virtualization platforms
• Enterprise storage systems including SAN controllers and disk arrays
• Network operations centers with switches, routers, and security appliances
• Database servers running transaction processing systems
• High-performance workstations for engineering, scientific computing, or creative applications
• Multi-system point-of-sale infrastructure in retail and hospitality
• VoIP PBX systems and unified communications platforms serving large organizations
• Medical facilities protecting diagnostic imaging and electronic health record systems
• Financial services workstations running trading platforms or analysis software
• Manufacturing execution systems and industrial control networks
• Security operations centers with surveillance recording and monitoring systems

Hot-Swappable Battery Management

The APC SMC3000I Smart-UPS C features front-accessible, user-replaceable battery modules enabling straightforward replacement without requiring specialized technical expertise or expensive service calls. The battery compartment opens via a simple release mechanism, and battery modules connect through keyed connectors preventing incorrect installation or polarity reversal.

Most IT administrators can complete battery replacement in approximately twenty minutes following straightforward instructions, eliminating downtime associated with scheduling and waiting for service technicians. This user-serviceability significantly reduces total cost of ownership while maintaining continuous protection during routine maintenance windows.

Automatic self-testing occurs at configurable intervals to assess battery capacity, internal resistance, voltage stability, and overall health. When testing indicates declining performance or approaching end-of-service, the APC SMC3000I generates alerts through both the LCD display and management software, typically providing several weeks advance notice before replacement becomes critical.

Expected battery service life ranges from 3-5 years depending on operating temperature, discharge frequency, and environmental conditions. Climate-controlled server rooms and equipment closets that maintain stable temperatures between 20-25°C optimize battery longevity and maximize intervals between replacement cycles, reducing maintenance costs and administrative overhead.

Physical Design and Installation Versatility

The tower configuration measures 100 x 214 x 457 mm and weighs 28.5 kg fully equipped. This substantial construction houses high-capacity batteries and robust power electronics capable of sustained operation under demanding load conditions without performance degradation.

The APC SMC3000I Smart-UPS C supports optional rack-mount conversion using separately available mounting brackets, enabling installation in standard 19-inch equipment racks where it consumes 3U of vertical space. This dual-purpose design provides deployment flexibility as organizational infrastructure evolves from tower installations in equipment closets to structured rack-based environments in dedicated server rooms.

The unit requires adequate clearance for proper ventilation—maintain 50mm spacing on sides and rear for sufficient airflow preventing thermal buildup. Operating temperature range spans 0-40°C, with optimal performance occurring between 15-25°C. Most climate-controlled IT environments maintain temperatures within this ideal range, supporting maximum battery life and reliable electronics operation.

Multi-Layer Protection Architecture

Beyond fundamental battery backup functionality, the APC SMC3000I Smart-UPS C implements comprehensive protection mechanisms safeguarding connected equipment:

• Surge suppression rated at 640 Joules minimum
• EMI/RFI noise filtering eliminating electromagnetic interference from motors and fluorescent lighting
• Overload protection with automatic circuit isolation preventing damage
• Output short circuit protection preventing equipment damage and fire hazards
• Battery overcharge protection circuits extending battery service life
• Deep discharge prevention protecting batteries from damage
• Thermal monitoring with automatic shutdown at excessive temperatures
• Input overcurrent protection via integrated circuit breaker

Audible alarms provide immediate notification during various conditions including power failures, battery operation, low battery warnings, overload situations, bypass operation, and system faults. The alarm system employs distinct tones and patterns for different events, enabling users to identify conditions without viewing the display panel.

Alarm configuration options allow administrators to customize notification behaviors extensively, including temporary silencing during extended outages without disabling protection, adjusting sensitivity thresholds based on site-specific requirements, or modifying alarm volume to match installation environments ranging from quiet offices to noisy data centers.

Energy Efficiency and Cost Optimization

Line-interactive topology achieves approximately 95% efficiency during normal operation, substantially reducing energy consumption compared to older double-conversion UPS designs that waste energy through continuous AC-DC-AC conversion. For organizations operating equipment continuously, this efficiency improvement translates to measurable electricity cost reductions over the UPS operational lifespan.

The APC SMC3000I draws minimal standby power when batteries remain fully charged and no voltage correction occurs, typically under 35 watts. This low standby consumption makes continuous operation economically practical while providing immediate protection availability when power disturbances occur without noticeable delay.

High efficiency also reduces cooling requirements in equipment rooms and server closets, providing secondary cost savings through decreased HVAC load. This thermal efficiency proves particularly valuable in space-constrained installations where heat dissipation challenges equipment placement, density, and overall room cooling capacity.

Scalability for Growing Infrastructure

The substantial 3000VA capacity of the APC SMC3000I Smart-UPS C provides considerable headroom for infrastructure expansion without requiring immediate UPS replacement. Organizations can add servers, network equipment, storage systems, or telecommunications infrastructure knowing adequate protection capacity exists for growth over multiple budget cycles.

This scalability makes the unit particularly suitable for businesses experiencing rapid expansion, consolidating multiple branch locations, implementing new applications requiring additional IT infrastructure, or transitioning from basic surge protection to comprehensive power management solutions. The investment in higher-capacity protection delivers value over extended periods as equipment populations grow.

Value for Business-Critical Operations

The APC SMC3000I delivers professional-grade power protection with substantial capacity typically associated with enterprise-class models at a price point accessible for mid-sized businesses and departmental installations. Organizations gain automatic voltage regulation, substantial runtime capacity, intelligent monitoring, user-serviceable batteries, and proven reliability without premium pricing.

The combination of adequate capacity for multiple critical systems, extended runtime supporting graceful shutdowns or brief outage ride-through, and simplified management reduces the complexity and cost of protecting expanding IT infrastructure. Straightforward operation and front-accessible maintenance minimize ongoing support requirements and total cost of ownership across the equipment lifecycle.