APC Smart-ups Srtl 5KVA RM 208V to 120V 2U Step-down Transformer - SRTL5KRM2UT-5KRMTF

APC by Schneider Electric SRTL5KRM2UT-5KRMTF 5KVA Rack UPS with 208V-to-120V Step-Down Transformer

The APC SRTL5KRM2UT-5KRMTF is a 4900W / 5KVA online double-conversion rack UPS that bridges 208V three-phase building power to 120V single-phase loads — the specific gap that bites data center operators retrofitting 120V IT gear into modern 208V PDU environments. At 4U in the rack and 159 lbs, this isn't a lightweight convenience item: it's purpose-built infrastructure for server rooms, network closets, and edge deployments where stepping down voltage cleanly and maintaining conditioned sine-wave output matters as much as runtime.

Overview

The SRTL5KRM2UT-5KRMTF ships as part of APC's Smart-UPS Ultra line and pairs a 4900W online UPS with an integrated 208V-to-120V step-down transformer in a single 4U rackmount chassis. The on-line topology means connected equipment never sees raw utility power — output is always generated from the inverter, so voltage anomalies, frequency drift, and transients are absorbed before they reach your load. That matters for sensitive 120V servers, storage arrays, or AV/security control equipment installed in a rack fed by 208V branch circuits. The unit accepts 240V input as well, giving you flexibility across different facility configurations without rewiring the distribution panel.

Key Features

• Online Double-Conversion (On-Line Topology): Connected loads run entirely off inverter output — no transfer time on outage, no exposure to sags, swells, or frequency instability from the utility. For 120V equipment in a 208V rack environment, this eliminates the risk of half-wave rectifier damage from unconditioned step-down.
• 208V Input / 120V Output with NEMA L6-30P Inlet: The NEMA L6-30P input plug connects directly to standard 208V 30A twist-lock receptacles found on most raised-floor PDUs and wall-mounted panels. The 14-outlet output bank — 12× NEMA 5-20R, 2× NEMA L6-20R, 2× NEMA L6-30R — covers a wide mix of 120V and 240V server and networking loads simultaneously, reducing the need for additional PDUs at the outlet level.
• 4900W / 4900VA Output at Unity Power Factor: Unity PF (1.0) means the watt and VA ratings are identical — every VA of UPS capacity translates to a real watt of usable load. Many UPS units rated in VA deliver only 80% in watts; this unit does not penalize you on capacity conversion. Plan your load budget against 4900W directly.
• Sine Wave Output with <2% THD: Pure sine wave output with less than 2% total harmonic distortion protects active PFC power supplies common in modern servers and workstations. Non-sine or stepped-approximation output from cheaper units can cause PFC supplies to run hot or shut down; the SRTL5KRM2UT-5KRMTF eliminates that failure mode entirely.
• Lithium-Ion Battery with 1.5-Hour Recharge and 8–10 Year Life: Li-Ion chemistry cuts recharge time to 90 minutes from depleted — critical in environments where a second outage within hours of the first is the worst-case scenario. More importantly, the projected 8–10 year battery life roughly doubles the replacement cycle versus lead-acid, reducing OpEx on battery swaps in high-rack-count facilities.
• Preinstalled Network Management Card 3 (NMC3) with Environmental Monitoring: NMC3 is included and installed from the factory, not a field-add. It supports SNMP, web interface, and environmental monitoring — temperature probe is included in the box. This means the unit is network-manageable out of the box without an additional card purchase or slot reservation.
• Internal Automatic and Manual Bypass: Bypass is integrated, not external — no additional bypass switch panel required. Automatic bypass activates on overload or internal fault; manual bypass allows maintenance without dropping the load. For 24/7 environments, bypass is a non-negotiable availability feature.
• 1260J Surge Energy Rating: 1260 joules of surge suppression at the UPS input handles transients that precede outages, protecting the internal transformer and downstream equipment from voltage spikes that wouldn't register as a full blackout.
• 55 dBA Acoustic Level: Measured at 55 dBA, this unit is rated for occupied spaces. It won't disappear into background noise in a quiet office environment, but it's within tolerance for enclosed server rooms and IDF closets where ambient fan noise is already present.
• ENERGY STAR V2.0 Certified: ENERGY STAR V2.0 certification means the unit has been independently verified for efficiency performance — relevant for data centers tracking PUE and organizations with sustainability compliance requirements.
• 4U Rackmount, Horizontal Orientation, Front-Access: The 4U footprint is fixed horizontal — this is not a tower-convertible unit. At 159 lbs, rail kit installation requires two people; the included stabilization feet and support rails are necessary, not optional accessories.
• IP20 Enclosure Rating: IP20 means the chassis is rated for protection against solid objects >12mm but is not sealed against liquids. Deploy in a controlled indoor rack environment — not in exposed or wet locations.

Integration and Compatibility

The SRTL5KRM2UT-5KRMTF connects to network management infrastructure via USB, serial port, or the preinstalled NMC3 over Ethernet. The NMC3 supports APC's EcoStruxure IT and standard SNMP polling, making it compatible with most enterprise monitoring platforms. The included temperature probe plugs directly into the NMC3 environmental monitoring port for ambient rack temperature tracking without additional hardware. Input frequency auto-senses across 40–70 Hz, accommodating both 50 Hz and 60 Hz facility power — relevant for international deployments or equipment moved between regions. Output frequency tracks mains at 50/60 Hz ±3 Hz, or runs autonomously on battery at the detected nominal.

The unit ships with rack mounting brackets, stabilization feet, support rails, a USB cable, temperature probe, strain relief hardware, and one battery module — full installation kit in the box, no supplemental hardware order needed for standard rack deployment.

What's in the Box

• 1× APC Smart-UPS Ultra SRTL5KRM2UT-5KRMTF UPS unit
• Rack mounting brackets
• Stabilization feet
• Rack mounting support rails
• 1× USB cable (10 ft / 3.05 m)
• 1× Temperature probe
• Strain relief hardware
• 1× Battery module (preinstalled)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What input plug does the SRTL5KRM2UT-5KRMTF use, and what circuit does it require?

A: The unit ships with a NEMA L6-30P input plug, which requires a 208V 30A twist-lock receptacle — the standard outlet found on most raised-floor PDUs and 208V wall-mounted panels in data center environments. Ensure your branch circuit is rated for at least 30A at 208V.

Q: Does the SRTL5KRM2UT-5KRMTF include a network management card, or is that a separate purchase?

A: The NMC3 (Network Management Card 3 with environmental monitoring) is preinstalled from the factory. No additional card purchase is required. The unit is network-manageable via SNMP, web interface, and APC's EcoStruxure IT platform out of the box.

Q: What battery type does this UPS use, and what is the expected battery life?

A: The SRTL5KRM2UT-5KRMTF uses Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries with a projected lifespan of 8–10 years — roughly twice the cycle life of comparable lead-acid designs. Recharge time from full depletion is approximately 1.5 hours.

Q: Can this UPS power both 120V and 240V equipment simultaneously?

A: Yes. The output bank includes 12× NEMA 5-20R (120V 20A), 2× NEMA L6-20R (208/240V 20A), and 2× NEMA L6-30R (208/240V 30A) outlets, allowing mixed 120V and 240V loads to be connected simultaneously, subject to the 4900W total output limit.

Q: What is the rack space requirement, and can it be tower-mounted?

A: The SRTL5KRM2UT-5KRMTF occupies 4U of rack space in a fixed horizontal orientation. It is not convertible to tower configuration. The unit weighs 159 lbs and requires two-person installation with the included rail kit.

Q: Is the SRTL5KRM2UT-5KRMTF compatible with active PFC power supplies?

A: Yes. The unit outputs a pure sine wave with less than 2% total harmonic distortion, which is fully compatible with active PFC power supplies used in modern servers and workstations. Non-sine output from lesser UPS units can cause active PFC supplies to malfunction or trip — this unit does not have that limitation.

Eden Phillips

The spec that defines whether the SRTL5KRM2UT-5KRMTF belongs in your rack is the NEMA L6-30P inlet — if your PDU branch circuits terminate in L6-30R receptacles at 208V and you need to power 120V single-phase servers or security infrastructure alongside 208V loads, this unit closes that gap in one 4U slot. It is not a general-purpose UPS you'd spec for a standard 120V environment; it's a deliberate infrastructure bridge for mixed-voltage rack deployments.

Technical Highlights:

• Unity Power Factor (1.0): At 4900W and 4900VA simultaneously, there is no VA-to-watt derating — load budget planning is straightforward. A 4900W load saturates this unit; plan for 80% utilization (approximately 3,920W) for thermal and headroom margin.
• Li-Ion Battery, 1.5h Recharge: The 90-minute recharge window is the real operational advantage over lead-acid. In environments with frequent short outages — generator start-up gaps, utility switching events — a fast-recovering battery is more valuable than extended runtime on a single event.
• Preinstalled NMC3 with Temperature Probe: The environmental monitoring port is active at installation. Pair the included temperature probe with a rack-level alert threshold in EcoStruxure IT or your SNMP poller to catch thermal events before they cascade — no additional hardware required.

Deployment Considerations:

• At 159 lbs, this unit requires a two-person lift and a rack rated for the load. Verify your rack's weight capacity and rail compatibility before scheduling installation — the included support rails are designed for APC-standard rail spacing.
• IP20 enclosure means this is strictly an indoor, controlled-environment device. Do not install in locations with condensation risk, liquid exposure, or uncontrolled humidity — the 0–95% non-condensing humidity spec is a hard boundary, not a guideline.

This unit earns its place in a server room or IDF closet where a facilities team has standardized on 208V distribution but inherited or purchased 120V-only IT and security equipment — specifically edge compute nodes, NVR appliances, or access control servers that lack 208V-capable power supplies and can't be easily replaced.