Schneider Electric & American Power Conversion announce expiration of Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period for proposed merger

		Founded in 1981, American Power Conversion (Nasdaq: APCC) is a leading global provider of high availability systems for network-critical physical infrastructure. APC's comprehensive products and services, designed for both home and corporate environments, improve the availability, manageability and performance of sensitive electronic, network, communication and industrial equipment of all sizes. Headquartered in West Kingston, Rhode Island, APC reported sales of $1.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004, and is a Fortune 1000, Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 Company. All trademarks are the property of their owners. (PRNewsFoto) WEST KINGSTON, RI UNITED STATES

RUEIL MALMAISON, France, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WEST KINGSTON, R.I. -- Schneider Electric and American Power Conversion (Nasdaq: APCC) (APC) today announced the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, in connection with Schneider Electric's proposed merger of APC. As a result, no further anti-trust regulatory review of the merger will be necessary in the United States. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031003/NEAPCLOGO ) As previously announced on October 30, 2006, Schneider Electric and APC entered into an agreement and plan of merger, which provides, among other things, for each share of APC common stock to be converted to the right to receive $31.00 in cash. The transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2007, is subject to customary conditions including the approval by APC's shareholders. A special shareholders' meeting has been scheduled for January 16, 2007 to vote on the proposed merger. Additionally, Schneider Electric and APC have filed the necessary documents with the European Commission to commence the anti-trust regulatory review process in the European Union. Safe Harbor Provision This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this press release that do not describe historical facts, such as statements concerning APC's future plans or prospects are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those projected. While not exhaustive, the factors that could cause actual results to differ include the following: the ability of APC and Schneider Electric to gain regulatory and shareholder approval for the proposed merger; successful completion of the transaction within the expected timeframe; and the risks described from time to time in APC's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. APC and Schneider Electric disclaim any obligation to update or revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise. Additional information relating to the merger and where to find it APC has filed a definitive proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders are urged to read the definitive proxy statement, which contains important information. The definitive proxy statement and other documents filed by APC with the SEC are available free of charge at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov), APC's website (http://www.apcc.com) or from APC directly by making a request to American Power Conversion Corporation, 132 Fairgrounds Road, West Kingston, Rhode Island 02892, Attention: Investor Relations (telephone 401-789-5735). APC, Schneider Electric and their respective directors, executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be participating in the solicitation of proxies from APC shareholders in connection with the approval of the proposed transaction. Information about APC's directors and executive officers is available in APC's proxy statements and Annual Reports on Form 10-K previously filed with the SEC. Information about Schneider Electric's directors and executive officers is available from its 2005 Annual Report, which can be obtained for free from its website at http://www.schneider-electric.com, and also are available in a Schedule 13D that was filed by Schneider Electric with the SEC on November 6, 2006. Additional information about the interests of potential participants is included in the definitive proxy statement APC filed with the SEC. About American Power Conversion Founded in 1981, American Power Conversion (Nasdaq: APCC) (APC) is a leading provider of global, end-to-end solutions for real-time infrastructure. APC's comprehensive products and services for home and corporate environments improve the availability, manageability and performance of sensitive electronic, network, communication and industrial equipment of all sizes. APC offers a wide variety of products for network-critical physical infrastructure including InfraStruXure(R), its revolutionary architecture for on-demand data centers, as well as physical threat management products through the company's NetBotz(R) division. These products and services help companies increase the availability and reliability of their IT systems. Headquartered in West Kingston, Rhode Island, APC reported sales of $2.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2005, and is a Fortune 1000, Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 Company. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. About Schneider Electric Schneider Electric is the world's power and control specialist. Through its world-class brands, Merlin Gerin, Square D and Telemecanique, Schneider Electric anticipates and satisfies its customers' requirements in the residential, building, industry and energy and infrastructure markets. With 92,000 employees and operations in 130 countries, Schneider Electric generated sales of euro11.7 billion in 2005 through 13,000 distributor outlets. http://www.schneider-electric.com Investor Relations: Schneider Electric Alexandre Brunet Tel: +33 (0)1 41 29 70 71 Fax: +33 (0)1 41 29 71 42 http://www.schneider-electric.com Euroclear: 12197 Media Contact: Schneider Electric Veronique Moine Tel: +33 (0)1 41 29 70 76 DGM Michel Calzaroni Olivier Labesse Tel: +33 (0)1 40 70 11 89 APC: Investor Relations Debbie Hancock Tel: +(1) 401 789 5735, ext. 2994 Media Chet Lasell Tel: +(1) 401 789 5735, ext. 2693