APC by Schneider Electric SRT5KXLT Online Double-Conversion Tower UPS 5kVA/4250W 208V
Overview
The APC SRT5KXLT is a 5000 VA / 4250-watt double-conversion online UPS in a tower form factor, delivering 208V output through four NEMA locking outlets — two L6-20R and two L6-30R. Unlike line-interactive designs that only condition power during disturbances, double-conversion topology regenerates clean 208V continuously from the inverter, meaning connected equipment sees zero transfer time during utility failures. That matters for servers, network switches, and storage arrays where even a 4 ms gap can trigger a controller failover or filesystem corruption. If you're specifying online UPS systems for a data closet, edge compute rack, or security infrastructure room, the SRT5KXLT's combination of capacity, outlet mix, and included management card puts it in a practical range for mid-density loads.
Key Features
- 5000 VA / 4250 W Double-Conversion Online: At 4250 watts of real power capacity, the SRT5KXLT can carry a meaningful rack load — a mix of PoE switches, NVRs, and a storage appliance typically runs 1,500–2,500W in a security or IT closet. The online topology means there is no switchover delay; equipment runs off the inverter full-time, and the battery absorbs utility events transparently.
- 208V Output — L6-20R + L6-30R Outlets: Four NEMA locking outlets (2x L6-20R rated to 20A, 2x L6-30R rated to 30A) serve 208V single-phase loads directly. This outlet mix is common in rack PDUs, server power supplies specified for 200–240V, and dual-corded edge compute nodes. The input draws via a NEMA L6-30P, so your panel circuit needs to be sized accordingly — verify breaker and wire gauge before installation.
- Wide Input Frequency Range — 40 to 70 Hz Auto-Sensing: The 40–70 Hz auto-sensing input accommodates utility frequency variation and generator output, which commonly drifts outside the 57–63 Hz band during load transitions. In facilities that use standby generators as part of the power chain, this range prevents the UPS from switching to battery unnecessarily during generator ramp-up.
- 1.5-Hour Recharge Time: After a full discharge event, the SRT5KXLT returns to 90%+ capacity in approximately 1.5 hours. In environments with recurring short outages — grid-unstable regions or facilities near heavy industrial loads — faster recharge reduces the window of vulnerability between events.
- Included Network Management Card + SmartSlot: The unit ships with a Web/SNMP management card already installed and retains one open SmartSlot for a second card (environmental monitoring, extended I/O). The included card enables remote UPS monitoring, event logging, outlet group control, and integration with SNMP-capable NMS platforms — without an additional purchase that comparable units require separately.
- 480-Joule Surge Energy Rating: The 480-joule surge suppression rating provides meaningful protection against transient spikes on the input feed. While double-conversion topology naturally isolates output from input disturbances, the upstream surge rating protects the rectifier and input circuitry from damage during high-energy events.
- Audible and Visual Alarms with Severity Prioritization: Alarms are ranked by severity rather than triggering a single generic alert, so staff can differentiate a low-battery warning from a critical overload condition without consulting the management interface. In unmanned equipment rooms this matters — the alarm character tells responders how urgently to act.
- Field-Replaceable Battery — APCRBC140: The internal sealed lead-acid battery is user-replaceable using the APCRBC140 cartridge without tools or a service call. Planned battery replacement on a known schedule (typically every 3–4 years for SLA under normal thermal conditions) is far less disruptive than an emergency swap after a capacity failure.
- Multiple Interface Ports — USB, RJ-45 Serial, Contact Closure, RJ-45 Network: The interface set covers legacy serial management, USB connectivity for local software, dry-contact closure for third-party BMS or generator interlock signaling, and the Ethernet port on the included management card. This breadth means the SRT5KXLT integrates into both modern IP-managed environments and older facilities with relay-based infrastructure.
- UL 1778 / CSA C22.2 / FCC Part 15 Class A / ENERGY STAR Listed: UL 1778 is the recognized standard for UPS equipment in North America — relevant for insurance, AHJ inspections, and facilities management sign-off. ENERGY STAR listing confirms the unit meets efficiency thresholds that matter in data center PUE calculations. FCC Part 15 Class A means it's cleared for commercial/industrial environments without additional EMI mitigation.
Integration & Compatibility
The SRT5KXLT connects to PowerChute network shutdown software via the included management card's Ethernet port, enabling graceful OS-level shutdown of servers before battery exhaustion. The SmartSlot accepts APC's AP9631 environmental monitoring card or a second network card for redundant management paths. Contact closure interface supports dry-contact signaling to building automation systems, generator controllers, or third-party monitoring relays. The RJ-45 serial port provides a direct management channel independent of the network card, useful during commissioning or network outages. For network video recorders and associated infrastructure, the L6-30R outlets accommodate dual-corded appliances or high-draw single-load connections without adapters. Pair with an appropriate rack or tower enclosure and verify that your 208V circuit is protected at 30A on a dedicated breaker per NEC requirements. Review the UPS selection guide for runtime estimation methodology before sizing this unit against your specific load profile.
What's in the Box
- 1x APC Smart-UPS SRT5KXLT UPS unit
- 1x USB cable
- 1x Temperature probe
- 1x Web/SNMP Management Card (pre-installed)
- 1x Installation guide
- 1x Documentation CD
- 1x CD with software
- 1x Warranty card
- 1x Set of removable support feet
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What outlets does the SRT5KXLT include and what loads can they support?
A: The SRT5KXLT provides four 208V NEMA locking outlets: two L6-20R (20A each) and two L6-30R (30A each). These are suited for server power supplies, rack PDUs, and other equipment rated for 200–240V single-phase input. Total UPS output is 4250 watts — plan your per-outlet load accordingly and do not exceed the circuit breaker rating on each outlet type.
Q: Does the SRT5KXLT include a network management card, or is that a separate purchase?
A: The SRT5KXLT ships with a Web/SNMP Management Card already installed. It also has one open SmartSlot that accepts an additional APC accessory card, such as an environmental monitoring card or a second network card for redundant management.
Q: What is the input connection required for the SRT5KXLT?
A: The SRT5KXLT uses a NEMA L6-30P input plug, requiring a 208V single-phase circuit with a 30A dedicated breaker. Verify panel capacity and wire gauge before installation — this is not a standard 120V or NEMA 5-15/5-20 circuit.
Q: How long does the SRT5KXLT take to recharge its battery after a full discharge?
A: Recharge time to approximately 90% capacity is 1.5 hours under normal conditions. This is the internal battery recharge rate; actual runtime per charge depends on the connected load relative to the 4250W capacity.
Q: What battery replacement part is used in the SRT5KXLT?
A: The SRT5KXLT uses the APCRBC140 replacement battery cartridge. The battery is field-replaceable by the end user without requiring a service technician.
Q: What certifications does the SRT5KXLT carry?
A: The SRT5KXLT is listed under UL 1778 (UPS standard), CSA C22.2 No.107.3-05, FCC Part 15 Class A for commercial environments, and ENERGY STAR (USA). These cover North American safety, EMI, and efficiency requirements.
The SRT5KXLT is one of the cleaner choices I've seen at the 5kVA/208V tier because it ships with the network management card already in the slot — that's a $150–200 add-on on comparable units that customers routinely forget to budget. At 4250 watts true double-conversion output on a NEMA L6-30P feed, it sits in a practical capacity window for a security operations room or mid-density IT closet running NVR clusters, managed switches, and storage.
Technical Highlights:
- Double-Conversion Topology: Zero-transfer-time protection — connected equipment runs off the inverter continuously, so a utility fault produces no output interruption. For NVR systems writing to RAID storage, this eliminates the filesystem corruption risk that line-interactive UPS designs still carry during the 2–8 ms transfer window.
- 40–70 Hz Auto-Sensing Input: Generator compatibility is built in. Most standby generators drift to 56–65 Hz during load pickup; the 40–70 Hz window means this UPS won't needlessly switch to battery during generator ramp-up, which is a common and avoidable failure mode in facilities with generator backup.
- APCRBC140 User-Replaceable Battery: Planned maintenance without a service call. On a 3–4 year SLA replacement cycle, this keeps total cost of ownership predictable. The battery cartridge is widely stocked, so there's no lead-time risk when it's time to swap.
Deployment Considerations:
- The NEMA L6-30P input requires a dedicated 208V/30A circuit. In existing facilities this often means a panel modification or dedicated circuit run — scope that work before the unit arrives, not after. The 17.00 x 5.10 x 28.32 inch tower dimensions also need floor or shelf space verification; it does not ship with a rail kit.
- With only four outlets total (2x L6-20R, 2x L6-30R), this is not the right unit for high port-count PDU scenarios. If your load consists of many smaller 208V devices, a downstream PDU fed from one of the L6-30R outlets is the correct topology — don't try to consolidate more loads than the outlet count supports.
The SRT5KXLT is a strong fit for a security operations center or enterprise IT closet where a small number of high-draw 208V loads — dual-PSU servers, a NAS array, a core switch — need genuine double-conversion protection with remote management already included in the box price.
