APC by Schneider Electric SRT2200RMXLA-NC Smart-UPS On-Line 2200VA 2U Rackmount UPS
Overview
The APC by Schneider Electric SRT2200RMXLA-NC is a 2200VA / 1800W double-conversion online UPS designed for 2U rack installations running 120V infrastructure. Unlike standby or line-interactive topologies that switch to battery only during an outage, the SRT2200RMXLA-NC delivers continuous online power conditioning — your connected equipment runs off the inverter at all times, meaning zero transfer time during a power event and less than 2% total harmonic distortion on the output. For security operations centers, network closets, access control head-ends, and surveillance NVR stacks where a brief power interruption would trigger recorder restarts or door-controller resets, that distinction matters. The SRT2200RMXLA-NC (often searched as SRT2200RMXLA NC) fits into rack-mount UPS systems and pairs naturally with the APC by Schneider Electric extended battery module line for site-specific runtime requirements.
Key Features
- Double-Conversion Online Topology: The inverter carries the full load continuously — when utility power drops or surges, connected equipment sees no interruption and no switching transient. This is the only UPS topology appropriate for equipment that cannot tolerate even a 4–8ms transfer window (PLCs, real-time access control panels, NVR RAID arrays mid-write).
- 1800W / 2200VA at True Sine Wave Output: Pure sine wave output is not a luxury spec here — it is required by active PFC power supplies found in modern servers, NVRs, and managed switches. A simulated or stepped sine wave from a cheaper UPS can cause PFC supplies to draw erratically or trip protective circuits. At 1800W usable, you have headroom to power a 4–8 camera NVR stack plus an PoE switch without pushing the UPS above 80% load.
- Seven Outlet Receptacles (6x NEMA 5-20R + 1x NEMA L5-20R): The mixed outlet bank gives you both standard 5-20 connections for most rack gear and the locking L5-20R for critical single-load protection. The locking outlet physically prevents accidental disconnection from vibration or cable weight — relevant in mobile command posts or equipment rooms where cables shift.
- 2U Rackmount Form Factor, Horizontal Mounting: At 2U with front-mount orientation and lower mounting preference, the SRT2200RMXLA-NC fits standard 19-inch EIA racks alongside network switches and patch panels without consuming 3–4U the way older UPS platforms did. Weight is 55 lb — plan your rack rail selection and consider a shelf for initial installation before sliding into final position.
- Expandable Runtime via External Battery Modules: The base unit ships with one internal battery module delivering 306 VAh. The SRT72RMBP external packs extend this in increments — one pack adds 918 VAh, two add 1,530 VAh, up to ten packs for 6,426 VAh total. For a surveillance NVR pulling 400W, the base unit buys roughly 35–40 minutes; add two SRT72RMBP packs and you are looking at extended multi-hour runtime windows that cover most utility outages without a generator. Replacement batteries are APCRBC141 and SRT72RMBPUS.
- Less Than 2% Total Harmonic Distortion: The double-conversion architecture conditions every watt before it reaches your equipment. Under 2% THD means your network switches and servers are not fighting power noise that shortens capacitor life and causes random reboots — a measurable reliability improvement over raw utility power in industrial or older commercial buildings where THD regularly exceeds 5–8%.
- Built-in Bypass: If the UPS itself requires service, built-in bypass routes utility power directly to connected equipment without shutting down the rack. This is the difference between a planned maintenance window and an unplanned outage in a production environment.
- 3-Hour Typical Recharge Time: After a full discharge, the 102W battery charge circuit restores the internal 72V pack in approximately three hours. In environments with frequent short outages (brownout-prone utility grids), rapid recharge means the UPS is ready for the next event before end of business rather than sitting depleted overnight.
- 55 dBA Acoustic Level: In a wiring closet shared with occupied office space, 55 dBA is audible but not disruptive under normal load. Factor this into placement decisions — a glass-walled server room adjacent to an open office will transmit UPS fan noise.
- 535 Btu/h Heat Dissipation: At full load, the SRT2200RMXLA-NC adds roughly 535 Btu/h to your rack's thermal load. Confirm your room cooling capacity handles this addition, particularly in retrofitted closets where cooling is marginal.
Integration and Compatibility
The SRT2200RMXLA-NC inputs on a NEMA 5-20P plug with a 6-foot cord — confirm your PDU or wall circuit is rated for 20A at 120V. The unit runs on standard 50/60 Hz utility input and syncs output frequency within ±3 Hz of mains. Operating altitude ceiling is 10,000 feet (relevant for mountain-region deployments), and relative humidity tolerance is 0–95% non-condensing, covering most indoor equipment room conditions. The UPS operates within a 0–95% non-condensing humidity range and stores safely at -20°C to 50°C (-4°F to 122°F). Pair this unit with a rack PDU on the output side to maximize the seven outlet positions across higher port-count equipment. For fleet monitoring, APC's network management card ecosystem (sold separately) integrates with standard SNMP-based monitoring platforms common in enterprise deployments. Battery life is rated at 3–5 years under normal operating conditions; budget replacement cycles accordingly using APCRBC141 or SRT72RMBPUS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the transfer time during a power outage on the SRT2200RMXLA-NC?
A: Zero. The double-conversion online topology means connected equipment always runs from the inverter — there is no transfer switching event when utility power fails. This is fundamentally different from standby or line-interactive UPS designs.
Q: Can I extend the runtime beyond the internal battery?
A: Yes. The SRT2200RMXLA-NC supports up to 10 SRT72RMBP external battery packs, scaling total runtime capacity from the base 306 VAh to over 6,400 VAh. Runtime depends on actual load draw — lighter loads extend runtime proportionally.
Q: What outlet types does the SRT2200RMXLA-NC provide?
A: Six NEMA 5-20R standard receptacles and one NEMA L5-20R locking receptacle. The input plug is NEMA 5-20P on a 6-foot cord requiring a 20A, 120V circuit.
Q: Does the SRT2200RMXLA-NC output a true sine wave?
A: Yes. The double-conversion design outputs a true sine wave continuously, not just on battery. This is required for equipment with active PFC power supplies, including most modern servers and network appliances.
Q: What is the expected battery replacement interval?
A: APC rates the internal lead-acid battery at 3–5 years under typical operating conditions. Replacement units are APCRBC141 and SRT72RMBPUS. Runtime extensions use SRT72RMBP packs.
Q: How much rack space does the SRT2200RMXLA-NC require?
A: Two rack units (2U) in a standard 19-inch EIA rack, mounted horizontally. It is not compatible with two-post open-frame racks — four-post or enclosed cabinet mounting is required.
The SRT2200RMXLA-NC is the unit I recommend when someone asks for a rackmount UPS and they actually mean it — not a standby box that switches in 8ms, but a true double-conversion platform where the load never touches raw utility power. At 1800W continuous with less than 2% THD, it is sized correctly for a 2U slot in a mid-density security or network rack without the overbuying penalty of moving to a 3000VA platform.
Technical Highlights:
- Double-Conversion, 0ms Transfer: The inverter is always carrying the load — 0ms transfer time is not marketing language, it is a topology property. For NVR arrays mid-write or access control panels that reset on any power blip, this is the spec that eliminates the problem entirely.
- Expandable to 6,426 VAh: The base 306 VAh internal pack is a starting point, not a ceiling. Stacking SRT72RMBP modules incrementally — from one pack (918 VAh) to ten (6,426 VAh) — means runtime can be sized to site risk without replacing the UPS head. A 400W surveillance load on two external packs runs well past three hours.
- True Sine Wave at 50/60 Hz ±3 Hz: The output syncs to mains frequency within 3 Hz and delivers clean sine wave continuously. Active PFC power supplies in Axis, Hanwha, and Hikvision NVRs require this — a modified sine wave UPS will cause audible noise, erratic load behavior, or premature supply failure in those units.
Deployment Considerations:
- At 55 lb, this is a two-person rack installation. Confirm your rail kit is rated for the weight before sliding it in — standard square-hole rails rated at 50 lb will be marginal. The unit ships with front-mount orientation; plan your cable management accordingly since the 6-foot input cord limits PDU placement flexibility.
- The 55 dBA acoustic rating is measured at rated load — in a quiet wiring closet adjacent to occupied workspace, this unit will be audible. If acoustic isolation is a constraint, factor in rack enclosure or room placement before committing to this form factor over a tower alternative.
The SRT2200RMXLA-NC is the right fit for a 10–20 camera surveillance head-end rack — NVR, PoE switches, and a management workstation — where a power event causing a recorder restart means lost footage and a conversation with the client. The expandable battery architecture means you can start with base runtime and scale protection as the site budget allows, without re-racking a new UPS head.
