APC by Schneider Electric SURT1000RMXLI 1000VA 2U Rack-Mount Double-Conversion Online UPS
Overview
The SURT1000RMXLI is a 1000VA / 700W double-conversion online UPS designed for 2U rack installations running on 230V infrastructure. Unlike standby or line-interactive UPS designs, double-conversion topology means connected loads run off clean, inverter-generated power at all times — the utility feed never touches your equipment directly. That matters in environments where incoming power quality is unreliable, where power conditioning is as important as runtime, and where a UPS power protection solution needs to deliver genuinely clean sine wave output rather than a switched approximation. For network video recorders, edge switches, and access control servers that depend on stable power continuity, the always-on conversion eliminates micro-outages and brownouts that would otherwise cause unexpected reboots or data corruption.
Key Features
- Double-Conversion Online Topology: Connected loads run continuously off the inverter — there is zero transfer time on utility failure. For NVRs and servers where even a 10ms gap can trigger a reboot, this is the architecture that eliminates that risk entirely. Standby and line-interactive units cannot make this claim.
- 1000VA / 700W Rated Capacity at 230V: At a 0.7 power factor, this unit supports real-world mixed loads of servers, switches, and IP cameras. Size your load to 80% of rated capacity (560W) for thermal headroom and battery longevity — this is not a marketing caveat, it is standard UPS practice.
- Pure Sine Wave Output, <3% THD: Less than 3% total harmonic distortion and a 3:1 crest factor means the output is clean enough for active PFC power supplies — the kind found in modern rack servers and NVRs. Simulated or stepped sine wave units can destabilize active-PFC loads; this unit eliminates that compatibility risk.
- 6 IEC 60320 C13 Outlets + 2 IEC Jumper Outputs: Eight protected output connections in a 2U footprint. The jumper outputs allow daisy-chaining to an external bypass maintenance switch without breaking the circuit — useful in 24/7 surveillance environments where scheduled maintenance windows do not exist.
- Built-In Bypass: The integrated bypass allows servicing or replacement without cutting power to downstream equipment. In a live security operations environment, this is the difference between a scheduled swap and an unplanned outage.
- 3-Hour Recharge to Full Capacity: With a 109W battery charger, the lead-acid battery returns to full charge within 3 hours after a discharge event. For sites with intermittent grid instability, this recharge cadence matters — a unit that takes 8+ hours to recover leaves you exposed on back-to-back events.
- Full-Time Multi-Pole Noise Filtering, Zero IEEE Let-Through, 420J Surge: Noise suppression runs continuously — not just during events — and the IEEE surge let-through rating of zero means transients on the utility feed are blocked before they reach connected equipment. The 420J surge energy rating handles typical industrial electrical environment transients.
- Output Frequency Stability ±3 Hz User-Adjustable: Output frequency is user-adjustable to match local grid nominal (50 or 60 Hz), with ±3 Hz tolerance. The unit auto-senses input frequency within ±5 Hz, making it compatible with generators that drift slightly under load — a real-world scenario in remote surveillance installations.
- Operating Temperature 0–40°C, IP20 Rated: Designed for conditioned indoor rack environments. IP20 means no protection against liquids — this unit belongs in a locked equipment room or data closet, not an outdoor enclosure or uncontrolled environment.
- 50 dBA Acoustic Level: Fan noise at 50 dBA is audible in a quiet room but standard for a double-conversion unit of this class. Plan placement accordingly — adjacent to open-plan workstations is not ideal; inside a closed rack room is the intended deployment.
- Battery Life 3–5 Years, Lead-Acid Chemistry: Expected battery service interval is 3 to 5 years under normal conditions. Factor in a battery replacement budget at year 3 for any deployment where runtime continuity is load-bearing.
- 1 Free Expansion Slot: One open slot accommodates an optional UPS network management card for SNMP monitoring, remote shutdown scripting, or integration with a building management system — relevant for enterprise deployments where UPS events need to trigger automated workflows.
Integration and Compatibility
The SURT1000RMXLI accepts input voltages from 160V to 280V on a C14 inlet, covering the full range of 220V / 230V / 240V utility standards common across EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions. Output is fixed at 230V (with 220V and 240V variants available on connected loads via the IEC jumpers). The unit carries C-Tick, CE, GOST, VDE, UK PSTI certifications, confirming compliance for deployment across the EU, UK, Russia, and Australia. It meets EN/IEC 62040-1:2019 and EN/IEC 62040-2:2018 safety and EMC standards — relevant for integrators who need to document regulatory compliance in commissioning packages. The 2U rack form factor integrates into standard 19-inch server rack enclosures without adapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the SURT1000RMXLI's double-conversion topology and a line-interactive UPS?
A: In double-conversion online mode, connected equipment always runs off inverter-generated power — the utility feed charges the battery, which feeds the inverter, which powers the load. There is zero transfer time on utility failure because the inverter never switches off. A line-interactive UPS passes utility power directly to the load under normal conditions and only switches to inverter on failure, introducing a transfer gap of typically 4–20ms. For NVRs, servers, and access control systems where even a brief gap can cause a reboot or data write error, double-conversion is the correct architecture.
Q: What input voltage range does the SURT1000RMXLI accept?
A: The unit accepts input voltages from 160V to 280V at 50/60 Hz (±5 Hz auto-sensing), covering standard 220V, 230V, and 240V utility supplies. The input connection is an IEC 60320 C14 inlet.
Q: How many outlets does the SURT1000RMXLI provide and what types are they?
A: The unit provides 6 IEC 60320 C13 outlets plus 2 IEC jumper outputs, for a total of 8 protected output connections. The jumper outputs support maintenance bypass switching without interrupting downstream loads.
Q: What certifications does the SURT1000RMXLI carry?
A: The SURT1000RMXLI carries C-Tick (Australia), CE (European Union), GOST (Russia), VDE (Germany), and UK PSTI certifications. It also conforms to EN/IEC 62040-1:2019/A11:2021 and EN/IEC 62040-2:2018 safety and EMC standards.
Q: How long does the battery take to recharge after a full discharge?
A: The integrated 109W battery charger returns the lead-acid battery to full capacity in approximately 3 hours. Expected battery service life is 3 to 5 years under normal operating conditions.
Q: Can the SURT1000RMXLI be monitored remotely via SNMP?
A: Remote SNMP monitoring requires an optional network management card installed in the single available expansion slot. The base unit does not include a network management card — this is an add-on accessory purchased separately.
The SURT1000RMXLI earns its place in surveillance and security infrastructure racks specifically because of the double-conversion online topology — not just the 1000VA capacity. Most integrators underestimate how often brownouts and micro-interruptions hit NVRs in commercial buildings with shared electrical infrastructure: HVAC cycling, elevator motor surges, and lighting ballast noise are all real grid-contamination sources. Since the SURT1000RMXLI's inverter is always in the power path, those events never reach connected equipment. The load sees clean 230V sine wave output at less than 3% THD, continuously.
Technical Highlights:
- Zero Transfer Time: Because the inverter never idles, there is no switching gap on utility failure — critical for NVRs and servers that will reboot or lose a write cycle on even a 10ms outage. Standby units cannot match this.
- 109W Battery Charger / 3-Hour Recovery: The 109W charger is sized to recover the lead-acid battery in 3 hours — faster than many competing units at this capacity class. On sites with repeated short outages (common near industrial equipment), fast recovery matters as much as runtime.
- Built-In Bypass + 1 Expansion Slot: The integrated bypass lets you service or hot-swap the unit without dropping connected loads. Add an optional network management card in the free expansion slot and you get SNMP-based UPS event alerting into your VMS or DCIM platform — no separate monitoring appliance needed.
Deployment Considerations:
- Load planning is critical: at 700W rated, plan for no more than 560W of actual connected load (80% rule) to preserve thermal margin and battery cycle life. Overloading to 90%+ accelerates battery aging toward the low end of the 3-year service interval.
- The 50 dBA acoustic level is non-trivial — this unit should not be deployed in open office areas adjacent to workstations. It belongs in a dedicated equipment room or server closet where fan noise is not a daily irritant or compliance issue.
The SURT1000RMXLI is the right call for a 2U rack position in a regional security operations center or mid-size commercial NVR closet where power quality — not just runtime — is the primary concern, and where the 230V IEC outlet configuration matches the installed equipment base.
