What Is APC?
Posted on: Nov 5, 2026 | Author: Justin
APC is Schneider Electric's power protection brand, known for Back-UPS and Smart-UPS. Learn what APC makes, how to buy and how to remove an APC UPS battery.
What Is APC?
APC stands for American Power Conversion. It is a brand of power protection products, best known for UPS battery backups, surge protectors, power distribution units and rack enclosures. APC was founded in 1981 and has been part of Schneider Electric since 2007. People often say ""an APC"" to mean an APC UPS.
What Does APC Make?
| Product line | What it is | Typical use |
|---|
| Back-UPS | Battery backup with surge protection | Home, home office, small office |
| Back-UPS Pro | Higher capacity, pure sine wave on many models, AVR | Gaming PCs, workstations, home theater |
| Smart-UPS | Line-interactive and online models with management options | Servers, networks, small data rooms |
| Rack PDUs | Power distribution for racks | Server rooms, network cabinets |
| SurgeArrest | Surge protectors without a battery | Electronics, appliances |
| NetShelter | Racks and enclosures | Data and network rooms |
Why People Choose APC
- Wide range from 350VA home units to large three-phase systems
- Replaceable batteries on most models
- Software and network cards for automatic shutdown and monitoring
- Widespread availability of spare batteries and service
How to Get an APC UPS
Buy from an authorized reseller, an IT distributor or a trusted retailer that lists the exact model number and warranty. Match the product to your load using the sizing steps: add the watts of your devices, add 25 percent headroom and compare against the watt rating, not only the VA. Check the plug type and voltage for your region.
How to Remove the Battery from an APC UPS
Steps differ by model, so check the manual, but the process is similar on most Back-UPS units.
- Switch the UPS off and unplug it from the wall and from all devices.
- Place the unit on a flat surface with the battery door or panel facing you. On many models it is on the bottom or front.
- Slide or unclip the panel and pull the battery out by its tab or handle.
- Disconnect the terminal wires, noting the red (positive) and black (negative) connections.
- Fit the new battery, matching the polarity, and close the panel.
- Take the old battery to a recycling point. Never throw it in household waste.
A shorter way to confirm your model: look for the battery replacement part number (RBC number) on the label or in the manual before buying a battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is APC a good brand?
APC is widely used and well supported. Pick the model that fits your load and the type of protection you need.
Who owns APC?
Schneider Electric.
Can I replace the battery myself?
On most Back-UPS and Smart-UPS models, yes. Follow the manual and recycle the old battery.
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