What is ATX UPSU?
ATX UPSU is an ATX UPS with supercapacitors / ultracapacitors. It's maintenance-free, operates in higher temperature range, has a high cycle life and is fast charged.
ATX UPSU solves the switch-off problem of computer systems. Industrial, automation and other devices can now be operated with standard mainboards.
ATX UPSU 12V and ATX UPSU 8-28V is a small form factor UPS in the 3.5" form factor: 146mm x 101.6mm x 41.6mm. ATX UPSU AC is in standard ATX power supply form factor.
The mainboard and drive are directly powered by ATX UPSU.
Devices with ATX UPSU can be switched on or off directly via the ATX UPSU power supply.
In comparison to a standard UPS with batteries, the ATX UPSU is mounted in the same housing as the mainboards; it is maintenance-free, has a high cycle life and can remain in
operation for more than 10 years.
With an Atom CPU, the backup time is about 7 minutes. (More informations, see datasheet.)
Areas of application include industrial computers (IPC), automation systems, industrial systems, vending machines and slot machines, traffic control systems,
alarm systems, car PCs, and other applications that should automatically shut down correctly in the event of power failure. A database can even be operated on
these systems, which would otherwise be impossible without the ATX UPSU.
ATX UPSU IPC is a complete industrial computer (IPC). The ATX UPSU CAP EXTENSION KIT or the ATX UPSU BATTERY PACK enables an increased running time. See below for further products and accessories.
ATX UPSU is a Swiss invention by inventlab LLC.
Contact us / Design-support request
Please do not hesitate to place your inquiry, also if you need more informations or have customer specific requirements.
You can use our convenient inquiry formular for UPS solutions.


inventlab GmbH
Industriestrasse 29
CH-4703 Kestenholz
Products
ATX UPSU 12V / ATX UPSU 8-28V
ATX UPSU with 12V or 8-28V voltage input.
Spezifikation | ATX UPSU 12V | ATX UPSU 8-28V |
Voltage input | 12V DC | 8 - 28V DC |
Time required to shut down the system | Approx. 3 minutes @ 24W | |
Capacity extension |
With ATX UPSU CAP EXTENSION KIT or ATX UPSU BATTERY PACK |
|
Maximum power output during shutdown | 150W | |
Connectors voltage input | Screw terminal, Jack | |
Connectors voltage output | ATX, Molex, screw terminal | |
Dimensions | 146 x 41.6 x 101.6 mm | |
Warranty | 2 years, bring-in Ask for warranty extension |
- ATX UPSU
- ATX connection cable (24 pin)
- Molex to SATA power adapter cable
- power-on button connection cable from ATX UPSU to mainboard
Observe the safety and start-up instructions in the datasheet.
Data:
ATX UPSU AC
ATX power supply with integrated Ultracapacitor ATX-UPS (ATX UPSU). In standard ATX power supply form factor.Specification | ATX UPSU AC |
Voltage input | 90-264VAC, 120-300VDC |
Communication with Mainboard | Über Mainboard power button, keine Software notwendig |
Max. power output | 250W |
Dimensions | 150 x 86 x 161 mm |
Warranty | 2 years, bring-in Ask for warranty extension |
Dimensions | 150 x 86 x 161 mm |
- ATX UPSU AC
- Cables: ATX (24pin), Molex, Mainboard-power-button
Observe the safety and start-up instructions in the datasheet.
Data:
ATX UPSU IPC / ATX UPSU IPC High-Speed
IPC with integrated ATX UPSU, mainboard, RAM, SSD, 150W power supply.Specification | ATX UPSU IPC | ATX UPSU IPC High-Speed |
CPU | Atom | Core i7 8MB Cache Haswell CPU |
RAM | 4GB | 8GB DDR3 |
SSD | 60GB SATA3 | 240GB SATA3 |
Operating system | Delivered without operating system | |
Dimensions | 380 x 65 x 280 mm | |
Warranty | 2 years, bring-in Ask for warranty extension |
- 19" rack
- wall mount
- mounting in a device with 4 x M4 screws
- table (without mounting)
Observe the safety and start-up instructions in the datasheet.
Data:
ATX UPSU IPC EMPTY
IPC with integrated ATX UPSU and 150W power supply. Without mainboard, RAM and SSD, OS.Specification | ATX UPSU IPC EMPTY |
Suitable mainboard | Mini ITX without PCI/PCIe plug-in cards, with maximal processor height of 54mm (measured from mainboard, not from processor) |
Suitable HDD/SSD | 2.5" oder 3.5" |
Dimensions | 380 x 65 x 280 mm |
Warranty | 2 years, bring-in 2 years, bring-in Ask for warranty extension |
- 19" rack
- wall mount
- mounting in a device with 4 x M4 screws
- table (without mounting)
Observe the safety and start-up instructions in the datasheet.
Data:
Accessories
ATX UPSU CAP EXTENSION KIT
Increases the ATX UPSU capacity.- Connected with a cable to the ATX UPSU
- Dimensions: 146 x 51 x 65 mm
- Warranty: 2 years, bring-in
- Observe the safety and start-up instructions in the datasheet.
ATX UPSU BATTERY PACK
Lead-acid battery pack for ATX UPSU, to increase its capacity.- Connected with a cable to the ATX UPSU
- Dimensions: 146 x 51 x 65 mm
- Warranty: 2 years, bring-in
- For the (single time) initializing, a ATX UPSU BATTERY PACK INIT is required.
- Observe the safety and start-up instructions in the datasheet.
Mounting kits, power supply, adapter cable
PC POWER SUPPLY TO ATX UPSU | Adapter cable from computer power supply to ATX UPSU. To connect ATX UPSU to a standard computer power supply. For example to mount ATX UPSU in a personal computer. |
ATX UPSU HDD MOUNT KIT | To mount ATX UPSU on a 3.5" drive. Kit contains 4 spacer sleeves and 4 screws. |
ATX UPSU CAP EXTENSION MOUNT KIT | To mount the ATX UPSU CAP EXTENSION KIT to the 3.5" computer slot or to mount to another housing. |
ATX UPSU IPC 19 MOUNT KIT | To mount the ATX UPSU IPC EMPTY, ATX UPSU IPC or ATX UPSU IPC High-Speed in a 19" rack. |
POWER SUPPLY 12V 150W | 150W power supply. To power the ATX UPSU 12V. |
ATX EXTENSION CABLE | ATX extension cable. 30 cm. |
ATX 24PIN TO 20PIN | Adapter cable from 24-pin ATX to 20-pin ATX. |
MOLEX TO SATA | Adapter cable from Molex to SATA. To connect a SATA drive to the ATX UPSU when only one drive is connected (eg. SATA, SSD). Cable length: min. 6 cm |
MOLEX Y | Y Molex cable. To connect two Molex drives to ATX UPSU. |
MOLEX TO SATA Y | Y Molex to SATA cable. To connect two SATA drives to ATX UPSU. |
MOLEX TO FLOPPY AND MOLEX | Molex to Molex and floppy Y-cable. To connect a floppy drive and a Molex powered drive to ATX UPSU. Cable length: 20.5 cm |
MOLEX TO SATA AND MOLEX | Y Molex to SATA and Molex. To connect a Molex and a SATA powered drive to ATX UPSU. |
MOLEX TO MAINBOARD 4PIN |
Molex to 4-pin mainboard adapter cable. To power a mainboard with the additional 4-pin power connector to the ATX UPSU. Cable length: min. 16 cm. Note that a free Molex connector must be available in addition. Accessible, for example using the accessory MOLEX Y. |
USB DVD RW | USB DVD Writer. |
Further information
How does the ATX UPSU work?
The supercapacitors / ultracapacitors are charged after power is applied. At the same time, the mainboard receives power and can switch on directly or wait until the power button is activated. ATX UPSU also has a connection to the power button from the mainboard. If the power supply fails, the following takes place: ATX UPSU receives power supply from the supercapacitors / ultracapacitors. The capacitors quickly lose voltage, which step up to 12V using a boost converter. ATX UPSU triggers the shutdown process to the mainboard via the mainboard button and can maintain the power for a few minutes, depending on the power requirement.
Note: The invention and operation described above are protected by a pending patent by inventlab LLC.
Which variant: ATX UPSU 12V or ATX UPSU 8-28V?
The difference between the 2 products is that ATX UPSU 8-28V is equipped with a buck/boost converter on voltage input. Therefore, operation is possible over a wide voltage area. This is ideal for use in car PCs.
ATX UPSU 12V should be used if the ATX UPSU can be powered via a 12V DC constant voltage source, because:
- the power loss from the additional voltage converter is eliminated
- the required power consumption decreases
- your mainboard and drives can demand more power
Examples of use
- Slot machines or vending machines: With ATX UPSU, slot machines or vending machines can be economically controlled by a computer system. It is now possible to use high level programming languages and efficient development tools. Thanks to ATX UPSU, the device end-user can simply disconnect the power.
- Database or application server: By using ATX UPSU, database applications can now be used in business-critical applications. Additional instructions regarding switch on/off are not required.
- Industrial PC, (IPC): Industrial computers can now operate with a standard operating system and without special configuration. In cases of sudden power failure, the ATX UPSU shuts down the system automatically and correctly.
- Embedded device, previously with microcontrollers: To date, devices controlled by microcontroller, e.g. stamp boxes, information displays, POS systems, alarm systems, telephone systems, home automation systems, traffic control systems, event technology devices, and many more, can now be manufactured inexpensively using standard computer systems and efficient development technologies thanks to the ATX UPSU.
- Business-critical personal computer: ATX UPSU can categorically protect computers on receptions, airport terminals, lecterns, cash registers, accounting machines etc. that must not be damaged after a power failure. It is recommended to use a standard UPS in addition.
- CAR PC: With ATX UPSU, a car PC can now be operated without any installation, directly via the cigarette lighter socket. The complex wiring for switching on/off is entirely eliminated.
The developer does not need to be concerned about the on and off switching for the examples given above; the ATX UPSU takes care of everything.
Do you have special requirements?
Should your product be certified for example for the railway sector? Does your application require more/less power? Should the switch on/off behaviour or the charge energy be adjusted? Are the mechanical dimensions not right for your project? We would be happy to further develop or adjust the ATX UPSU to suit your needs. Our engineers look forward to hearing from you: Go to contact
FAQ - frequently asked questions
My mainboard switches off automatically after switching on. What is the problem?
The connection from ATX UPSU J2 to the mainboard probably has the wrong polarity. Change the polarity on the mainboard with the power button connector.
My mainboard does not switch on automatically or switches off again after switch-on
Check, if jumper J3 is set. If it is set, discharge ATX UPSU (see datasheet). Disconnect ATX UPSU from power supply, wait 1 minute and reconnect ATX UPSU to power supply.
After shutting down, my system starts up again automatically without me doing anything
This happens if jumper J3 is set. ATX UPSU always starts the system if jumper J3 is set and the power source is available. Connect the power button to J3 if you do not require this high availability function.
My mainboard does not switch on
Check the connection from ATX UPSU J2 to the mainboard. Check if a jumper (for auto-start function) or a button is connected to ATX UPSU J3.
More products
inventlab GmbH, the Supercapacitor-UPS experts
inventlab GmbH is spezialized in Supercapacitor-UPS solutions. We provide Supercapacitor-solutions for every application: UPS as PCB, for DIN-Rail mounting and even for rugged environments. From 3.3 V over 24 V up to 230 V or with ATX connection for Mainboards.
UPS solutions for industrial use, automation, IT, medical, security, digital-signage, telecommunication, defense, marine or aviation.
Click here to browse more Supercapacitor UPS products on inventlab Website.
