Middle Atlantic UPX-1500R-2 1500VA Rack UPS with Local Bank Control
Overview
The Middle Atlantic UPX-1500R-2 is a 1500VA / 1350W line-interactive rack UPS designed for AV, security, and IT equipment in 2RU of rack space. Part of the NEXSYS UPS platform, it provides bank-controlled outlet management across 8 NEMA 5-15R receptacles — letting integrators cut power to specific loads without taking down an entire rack. If you're installing NVRs, managed switches, or access control panels in a 2-post or 4-post rack and need runtime protection with remote outlet sequencing, the UPX-1500R-2 (often searched as UPX 1500R 2) is built for that exact workflow.
Explore the full Middle Atlantic power and rack infrastructure line for complementary rack components and power distribution options.
Key Features
- 1500VA / 1350W Line-Interactive Topology: Line-interactive designs regulate voltage fluctuations without switching to battery — your connected equipment rides through sags and surges on conditioned AC, not battery power. That extends battery life significantly compared to online (double-conversion) units in environments with frequent but minor grid instability, which is common in commercial buildings.
- 8 Bank-Controlled NEMA 5-15R Outlets: Local bank control means you can power-cycle a specific outlet group — useful for rebooting a locked-up NVR or IP camera controller without cutting power to the entire rack. In a PoE switch and NVR rack stack, this is the difference between a 10-second targeted reboot and a full rack restart.
- 1350W Real Power Capacity: The VA-to-watt ratio here is 0.9 — unusually efficient for a UPS in this class. When sizing loads, plan against the 1350W figure; running close to the 1500VA rating on a lower-power-factor load can trip the unit. Most security rack loads (NVRs, switches, servers) are resistive/near-unity, so 1350W is a realistic usable ceiling.
- Network-Enabled (No Card Included): The UPX-1500R-2 supports a network management card, but one is not included in the box. If remote monitoring, SNMP traps, or automated graceful shutdown are requirements for your deployment, budget for the network card separately. Without it, management is local only.
- MOV Surge Protection: Metal oxide varistor surge suppression is built in on every outlet, protecting downstream equipment from transient voltage spikes. MOV protection is consumed over time with repeat surge events — not a substitute for a proper SPD on the panel feeding the rack, but solid last-line protection for the load side.
- 36VDC NEXSYS Battery Bus: The NEXSYS platform uses a 36VDC internal battery architecture. This is relevant if you're evaluating battery replacement or extended runtime modules — NEXSYS-compatible external battery packs tie into this bus. Hot-swap capability depends on the specific battery configuration; confirm before assuming in-service replacement without downtime.
- 2RU / 16-Inch Depth Footprint: At 19 inches wide and 16 inches deep, the UPX-1500R-2 fits in standard EIA racks with as little as 22 inches of usable depth (mounting depth minimum per spec). Deep-rack installs up to 36 inches are also supported. At 44.1 lbs, proper rail mounting is required — this is not a shelf-mount unit.
- 15A / NEMA 5-15P Input: The unit draws from a standard 15-amp NEMA 5-15P circuit. For a 1350W load at full capacity, you're pulling roughly 11.25A continuous — within the 80% rule for a 15A circuit. If your rack load approaches 1350W, confirm circuit ampacity and don't share the UPS input with other significant loads on the same branch.
- Operating Temperature 32–104°F (0–40°C): Standard commercial-grade operating range. Wiring closets and IDF rooms that aren't climate-controlled can exceed 104°F in summer — verify ambient temperature before install. Above spec temps shorten battery life and can trigger thermal shutdown.
- RoHS / FCC / CSA Certifications: FCC and CSA listings cover the unit for US and Canadian commercial installations. RoHS compliance satisfies environmental material requirements for enterprise procurement and green-building specifications.
Integration & Compatibility
The UPX-1500R-2 fits into standard 19-inch EIA rack enclosures at 2RU, with a mounting depth range of 22 to 36 inches. The NEMA 5-15R outlets are compatible with most commercial security and AV equipment running on 110–127VAC. The network-enable slot accepts Middle Atlantic NEXSYS network management cards for SNMP monitoring, scheduled outlet control, and graceful shutdown integration with VMS platforms and building management systems. Without the network card, outlet bank control is manual/local only. TAA compliance is not supported on this SKU — if your project carries TAA requirements (federal or DoD procurement), this unit is not the correct selection. For power distribution planning across a multi-rack deployment, pair this unit with a power conditioning and distribution guide to size runtime and load budgets correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the real power (watt) capacity of the UPX-1500R-2?
A: The UPX-1500R-2 is rated at 1350W real power (1500VA apparent power). When sizing loads, use the 1350W figure as your ceiling — not the 1500VA rating.
Q: Does the UPX-1500R-2 include a network management card?
A: No. The unit is network-enabled — it has a slot for a compatible NEXSYS network card — but the card is not included. Remote SNMP monitoring and automated shutdown require the card to be purchased and installed separately.
Q: Is the UPX-1500R-2 TAA compliant?
A: No. Per manufacturer specifications, the UPX-1500R-2 is not TAA compliant. It is not suitable for federal government procurements requiring TAA compliance.
Q: What outlet type and count does the UPX-1500R-2 provide?
A: The unit provides 8 NEMA 5-15R receptacles with local bank control, allowing selective outlet group management without powering down the entire unit.
Q: What rack depth is required to install the UPX-1500R-2?
A: The UPX-1500R-2 requires a minimum rack mounting depth of 22 inches and supports up to 36 inches. The unit itself is 16 inches deep and occupies 2 rack units (2RU).
Q: What input circuit does the UPX-1500R-2 require?
A: It uses a NEMA 5-15P plug on a standard 120VAC / 15-amp circuit. At full 1350W load, the unit draws approximately 11.25A — verify that the branch circuit can support this load continuously under the 80% rule.
The UPX-1500R-2 is the unit I spec when a customer needs bank-level outlet control in a 2RU form factor without stepping up to a full online (double-conversion) UPS. The 1350W real power rating at a 0.9 power factor is notably honest — some competing units at this VA class deliver 900W or less at real-world power factors, which creates load-sizing headaches on dense security racks.
Technical Highlights:
- Line-Interactive Topology: Regulates input voltage without switching to battery on every sag or surge — meaningful in commercial buildings where grid quality fluctuates during HVAC cycling. Battery runtime is preserved for actual outages, not every brownout.
- Bank-Controlled 8-Outlet Configuration: Local bank control lets you reboot a specific load group — NVR, switch tier, access control panel — without a full rack restart. On a live security deployment, that targeted reboot capability can be the difference between a 30-second recovery and a 10-minute camera-offline event.
- NEXSYS 36VDC Battery Platform: The 36VDC architecture is shared across the NEXSYS line, which means compatible extended runtime battery modules can extend backup time beyond what the internal cells alone provide — relevant for deployments requiring 30+ minutes of runtime on security-critical loads.
Deployment Considerations:
- The network management slot is present but the card ships separately — if remote shutdown or SNMP alerting is in scope for the project, source the network card at the same time to avoid a second installation visit.
- At 44.1 lbs, this unit requires proper rail mounting in the rack — do not place it on a fixed shelf. Confirm rack rail compatibility before delivery; the unit ships at 51.5 lbs, so plan accordingly for on-site handling in IDF closets with limited access.
The UPX-1500R-2 is the right call for a physical security integrator building a rack-based NVR and switch stack in a commercial IDF or server room where the customer needs outlet-level reboot control and clean runtime on a standard 15A circuit — without the cost or complexity of a true online UPS.
