APC by Schneider Electric SRT3000XLT 3000VA Online Double-Conversion Rack UPS
Overview
The APC by Schneider Electric SRT3000XLT is a 3000VA / 2700W double-conversion online UPS designed for rack-mounted IT, security infrastructure, and network equipment that cannot tolerate power interruptions or dirty power. Unlike line-interactive units that switch to battery on voltage sags, the SRT3000XLT runs your load through the inverter 100% of the time — incoming utility power is continuously converted to DC and back to a clean sine wave, so your equipment never sees a transfer gap, voltage irregularity, or harmonic distortion. With less than 2% harmonic distortion and a 3:1 crest factor, this unit is engineered for sensitive electronics including NVRs, access control servers, VoIP call managers, and similar infrastructure where power quality directly affects reliability.
The 208V input/output configuration targets commercial and data center environments where 208V distribution is standard. It accepts both 208V (NEMA L6-20P) and 240V nominal input, and the output is configurable for either 208V or 240V nominal — giving you flexibility if your load mix or facility voltage changes without requiring a new UPS. Output connections include two NEMA L6-20R receptacles and one NEMA L6-30R, covering standard 20A locked devices and higher-draw 30A equipment in the same chassis.
Key Features
- Double-Conversion Online Topology: The inverter is always in the power path, so there is zero transfer time to battery during a utility failure. For NVR systems recording continuously or access control panels managing door states in real time, even a 20ms transfer gap can cause missed events or controller resets — double-conversion eliminates that risk entirely.
- 2700W / 3000VA at Less Than 2% THD: The clean sine wave output with sub-2% total harmonic distortion protects power supplies in servers and network gear that are sensitive to waveform quality. Cheaper modified-sine UPS units can cause premature PSU failure in rack servers — not a concern here.
- Configurable 208V or 240V Output: A single unit serves both 208V and 240V loads without rewiring the distribution panel. If your facility later migrates distribution voltage, you reconfigure the output rather than replace the UPS — a meaningful total cost of ownership factor in long-term deployments.
- Three Output Receptacles (2x L6-20R + 1x L6-30R): The mixed outlet configuration lets you connect both standard 20A devices (switches, NVRs, servers) and a single higher-draw 30A load from one UPS, reducing the number of units needed in a rack with varied equipment.
- Extendable Battery Runtime via External Battery Packs: The SRT96BP battery expansion packs scale runtime from the included 497 VAh up to 10,437 VAh (10 packs). At a 2700W full load, the base unit provides limited runtime — but a two-pack (2,485 VAh) configuration delivers substantially more headroom, and the modular approach lets you right-size runtime without purchasing a larger base UPS.
- 96V Battery Bus / Lead-Acid Chemistry: The 96V battery string uses a single included module (APCRBC152 or SRT96RMBPUS compatible). Expected battery life is 3–5 years under normal operating conditions. Budget for replacement battery procurement on a 3-year cycle in high-availability environments.
- 165W Battery Charge Rate / 3-Hour Recharge: After a full discharge, the SRT3000XLT recharges to full capacity in approximately 3 hours. If your facility experiences multiple power events in a shift — common near industrial equipment or in areas with unstable utility — verify this recharge window fits your operational cadence before deploying without a generator.
- Internal Automatic and Manual Bypass: Built-in bypass (both automatic and manual) allows you to service or replace the UPS without dropping power to connected equipment. For 24/7 environments where a maintenance window is difficult to schedule, this is a practical operational requirement, not a luxury.
- IP20 Enclosure / 55 dBA Acoustic Level: IP20 means this unit is rated for indoor rack environments — it is not suitable for outdoor or uncontrolled-environment enclosures. The 55 dBA noise level is audible in a quiet room but typical for a UPS of this class; plan accordingly if deploying in an office-adjacent IDF closet.
- 773 Btu/h Heat Dissipation: At full load, the SRT3000XLT exhausts 773 Btu/h. In a populated rack in a confined room, factor this into your cooling calculations — it is roughly equivalent to a mid-range 1U server and will matter in a closet without dedicated airflow.
- Operating Altitude to 10,000 ft: Rated for operation up to 10,000 feet without derating, which covers the majority of North American installation sites including high-altitude facilities in the Mountain West.
Integration and Compatibility
The SRT3000XLT ships with a 10 ft (3.05 m) input cable terminated in NEMA L6-20P, connecting to a standard L6-20 twist-lock receptacle on a 208V branch circuit. Output frequency tracks mains at 50/60 Hz ±3 Hz in synchronized mode, so frequency-sensitive equipment that relies on mains sync (older PLCs, certain motor-driven equipment) operates correctly. The UPS includes one free expansion slot for runtime extension; battery options SRT96BP scale in increments from 1,491 VAh to 10,437 VAh across one to ten packs. Replacement batteries APCRBC152 and SRT96RMBPUS are the verified compatible part numbers for internal battery service. The unit is rack-mountable (vertical orientation, lower preference, front-access mounting) with a kit — confirm rack depth and rail compatibility with APC's mounting kit documentation before installation, as the 69 lb unit weight requires proper rail support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the transfer time to battery power on the SRT3000XLT?
A: Zero. The SRT3000XLT uses a double-conversion online topology, meaning your load runs through the inverter continuously. There is no transfer switching — utility power failure causes no interruption to connected equipment.
Q: Can the SRT3000XLT output 240V even though it's rated 208V?
A: Yes. The output is configurable for either 208V or 240V nominal. It also accepts 240V nominal input in addition to the primary 208V input, providing flexibility for facilities running either distribution voltage.
Q: How do I extend runtime on the SRT3000XLT?
A: APC's SRT96BP external battery packs connect to the unit's expansion interface. Each pack adds 1,491 VAh; up to ten packs can be added for a maximum of 10,437 VAh total capacity, substantially increasing runtime at any load level.
Q: What output receptacles are included on the SRT3000XLT?
A: Three receptacles: two NEMA L6-20R (20A twist-lock) and one NEMA L6-30R (30A twist-lock), all at 208V output. This covers most standard rack IT loads and one higher-draw device from a single unit.
Q: What is the acoustic noise level of the SRT3000XLT, and is it suitable for an office environment?
A: The SRT3000XLT is rated at 55 dBA under load. This is audible in a quiet office space. It is best suited to a dedicated equipment room, IDF closet, or data center environment rather than an open office floor.
Q: What is the expected battery life and what are the replacement battery part numbers?
A: APC rates the internal battery for 3–5 years under normal operating conditions. Compatible replacement batteries are APCRBC152 and SRT96RMBPUS.
The SRT3000XLT is the unit I reach for when a customer needs 208V double-conversion protection in a rack and cannot afford the power quality compromises that come with cheaper line-interactive designs. The sub-2% total harmonic distortion spec is not a marketing number — it directly affects the long-term reliability of server power supplies and network switch PSUs running on this circuit. At 2700W / 3000VA with a 3:1 crest factor, it handles the non-linear load profiles you see in real racks without clipping or dropout.
Technical Highlights:
- Double-Conversion Online Topology: Zero transfer time to battery — the inverter is permanently in the power path. A 20ms transfer gap is enough to reset a PoE switch or cause a NVR to log a power event; this unit eliminates both scenarios.
- Modular Battery Expansion (SRT96BP): Runtime scales from the base 497 VAh to 10,437 VAh in 1,491 VAh increments across up to ten external packs. Size your runtime to the actual load, not the largest UPS chassis you can buy.
- 165W Charge Rate / 3-Hour Recharge: After a full discharge the unit recovers in roughly 3 hours. In environments with recurring utility instability — near heavy industrial equipment or in areas with frequent brownouts — verify this window against your operational requirements.
Deployment Considerations:
- The unit weighs 69 lb and mounts vertically in a rack (front-access, lower preference per APC spec). Confirm rail kit compatibility and rack depth before ordering — the 17-inch form factor fits standard 19-inch two-post and four-post racks but verify the mounting kit is included or ordered separately.
- At 55 dBA and 773 Btu/h heat output at full load, this UPS is not appropriate for an open office IDF closet without dedicated exhaust ventilation. Plan airflow before rack placement, especially in sub-floor or enclosed telecom rooms.
The SRT3000XLT is a strong fit for a 208V rack in a security operations center, mid-size data closet, or multi-camera NVR stack where clean power and zero transfer time are non-negotiable — and where the SRT96BP expansion path gives you a clear runway as the rack load grows over time.
