APC Debuts New Desktop PowerShield Backup Unit

American Power Conversion (APC, West Kingston, RI) announced an expansion to its dc power protection offering with the new Desktop PowerShield, a 12Vdc output/24W battery backup unit intended for fiber to the home, fiber to the subscriber and cable telephony market. The new device provides power, battery backup and surge protection in a compact, desktop design, allowing customer premise equipment to be brought into the home.

In addition to providing an extended battery runtime of up to 20 hours, the Desktop PowerShield has improved user replaceable batteries. The slide-in batteries allow for the user to easily replace the batteries, with no wires to connect. The device also incorporates a proactive battery replacement warning that notifies the network management center of battery status. This includes notification if the battery is in use, signifying an outage; needs replacing; approaching the end of battery backup time; missing; or not properly connected.

APC also offers the PowerShield in 15W and 50W models at -48Vdc, as well as a 24W wall-mount version at 12Vdc, to locally power cable telephony, wireless local loop, voice over Internet Protocol and voice over digital subscriber line applications. The new PowerShield is available immediately in North American.