Methode Electronics' Active Energy Solutions Announces Completion of Cycle Life Testing for Its Data Center UPS

November 17, 2015

The AC6000 Lithium-Ion UPS Had a 193% Higher Cycle Life Than Lead Acid

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Nov 17, 2015) - Active Energy Solutions, a business unit of Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: MEI), a global developer of custom engineered and application specific products and solutions, today announced the completion of cycle life testing of their new data center-specific uninterruptible power supply, the AC6000.

The AC6000 features a custom lithium-ion battery pack and power electronics adapted from previous Methode automotive programs. It is designed to provide up 6 kW of power to rack-mounted equipment for up to six minutes. The cycle life testing was performed at full power and 100% depth-of-discharge. The results from testing performed at 25°C were extremely positive, reaching over 1,100 cycles before falling below the 70% runtime capacity at which UPS' are typically replaced. This is remarkable when compared to traditional lead acid solutions, which reach the same threshold in only 30% of the cycles.

More important, the AC6000 survived 600 cycles under the same load at 40°C, a 220% improvement over lead acid performance. The importance of high-temperature operation is increasing in data center environments, as efforts to reduce carbon emissions and HVAC-related operating costs increase.

The AC6000 is currently offered for sale directly through Methode Electronics, as well as through select distribution partners. For more information on the Methode Active Energy Solutions' AC6000, visit http://methode-activeenergy.com/.

About Methode Electronics' Active Energy Solutions
Active Energy Solutions (AES), a Methode Company, is a leader in lithium-ion battery systems and power electronics. Since its inception in 2006, AES has designed, tested and produced a variety of customized energy storage systems to deliver greater efficiency in battery energy density, life and footprint for our data storage, telecom and alternative energy customers. Designed to integrate flawlessly with Methode's DCIM and PDU solutions, we help clients better manage their power resources with intelligent products and services -- delivering more data center real estate while reducing operational expense from day one.

About Methode Electronics, Inc.
Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: MEI) is a global developer of custom-engineered and application-specific products and solutions with manufacturing, design and testing facilities in China, Egypt, Germany, India, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. We design, manufacture and market devices employing electrical, electronic, wireless, safety radio remote control, sensing and optical technologies to control and convey signals through sensors, interconnections and controls. Our business is managed on a segment basis, with those segments being Automotive, Interconnect, Power Products and Other. Our components are in the primary end markets of the automobile, computer, information processing and networking equipment, voice and data communication systems, consumer electronics, appliances, aerospace vehicles and industrial equipment industries. Further information can be found on Methode's website, www.methode.com.

Methode Electronics' Data Solutions Group Contact:
Karen Allen
Senior Marketing Manager
(469) 619-8516
kallen@methode.com