Middle East and Africa UPS Market Estimated to Touch US$489 million by 2012

Dubai-UAE: 30 September, 2010 - Overvoltage or sudden power fluctuations have the potential to seriously damage sensitive electronic devices such as computers and result in a short-circuit or even fire, leading to data loss, according to a study by APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in integrated critical power and cooling services.

The study, which came as part of an independent research analysis, assumes significance especially because of the fluctuations in power supply and demand as well as the sensitive nature of electronic and electrical devices that are designed to operate within specified supply voltage limits.

Citing the example of an electric bulb that has a wire filament, the study points out that only at a given voltage rate the filament will carry current large enough for it to glow and give off light and heat, but will melt if the power is too high. The amount of current in a circuit depends on the voltage supplied and other similar electrical/electronic devices such as PCs or servers may stop working or even burst into flames in case of an overvoltage, the study adds and strongly recommends use of appliances such as a surge suppressor or UPS for protection.

Christian Bertrand, Vice President - MEA, APC by Schneider Electric, said: "Power consumption especially during peak seasons such as the summer months goes up substantially due to heavy use of air-conditioners. This causes pressure on the power grids, leading to power cuts".

"Our products such as surge suppressors and UPS systems offer protection to electrical/electronic devices in the office and home-office environments. We strongly believe our products are effective in protecting data and expensive electrical devices and safeguard basic IT and infrastructure investments."

APC sees a healthy growth for surge protectors and UPS systems in the Middle East because of the extreme weather conditions in the region. According to the research, the combined Middle East and Africa UPS market is estimated to touch US$488.4 million by 2012 from US$282 million in 2007, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6 per cent, significantly outpacing the worldwide average.

In a radical situation of utility power failure, an UPS facilitates constant electric power to equipment. Additionally, it provides battery backup during sudden power failures or unacceptable voltage drops that could lead to severe service disruptions in various industry sectors such as medical and financial establishments, agricultural setups, commercial units, factories and educational institutions, the APC study adds.

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About APC by Schneider Electric
APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in critical power and cooling services, provides industry leading product, software and systems for home, office, data center and factory floor applications. Through its unparalleled commitment to innovation, APC provides pioneering, energy efficient solutions for critical technology and industrial applications that are well planned, flawlessly installed and maintained throughout their lifecycle. APC solutions include uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), precision cooling units, racks, physical security and design and management software, including APC's InfraStruxure® architecture, the industry's most comprehensive integrated power, cooling, and management solution.

As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in energy and infrastructure, industrial processes, building automation, and data centres/networks, as well as a broad presence in residential applications. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, and efficient, the company's 100,000+ employees achieved sales of more than 15.8 billion euros in 2009, through an active commitment to help individuals and organisations "Make the most of their energy".

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© Press Release 2010