APC by Schneider Electric SMX3000LVUS vs Vertiv GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL: Specification Comparison
Both the APC SMX3000LVUS and the Vertiv GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL are 3 kVA rack/tower UPS units targeting server rooms, network closets, and light-industrial environments where power protection at that capacity tier is required. The comparison spans topology, input/output voltage and outlet ecosystem, physical footprint, certifications, and management interfaces — the key axes on which installers and IT buyers evaluate units in this class before committing to one platform.
In This Guide
- Which UPS topology and power-quality architecture is right for your load?
- Do the input voltage, plug type, and outlet mix match your facility and devices?
- What management interfaces, certifications, and physical constraints apply?
- Which should you choose: the SMX3000LVUS or the GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which UPS topology and power-quality architecture is right for your load?
The SMX3000LVUS is a Line-Interactive UPS rated at 3 kVA / 2,700 W with a true sine-wave output. In line-interactive designs the inverter conditions power continuously but only transfers to battery when input voltage falls outside tolerance; this delivers solid protection at higher efficiency than on-line double conversion. APC specifies 98% efficiency for this unit.
The GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL uses an On-Line Double Conversion topology, meaning all output power is continuously regenerated by the inverter regardless of input quality — utility power never reaches the load directly. Vertiv rates output power at 3,000 VA / 3,000 W (note: 300 W higher than the APC). Efficiency is specified as 'up to 98%' in Active ECO Mode and 'up to 95%' in full on-line mode. When operating in standard on-line mode the GXT5 will run cooler in efficiency terms than the APC's stated 98%, though ECO mode can match it at the cost of reduced isolation.
For sensitive servers and networking gear where zero transfer time and complete galvanic isolation from the utility are required, double conversion is the superior choice. For general IT loads where line-interactive protection is sufficient, the APC topology provides comparable steady-state efficiency with a simpler, lower-heat design.
Do the input voltage, plug type, and outlet mix match your facility and devices?
The SMX3000LVUS is designed for North American 120 V infrastructure: input plug is NEMA L5-30P (120 V, 30 A twist-lock), input operating range 100–127 V. It supplies 10 AC outlets across three types — NEMA 5-15R (standard 15 A), NEMA L5-20R (120 V 20 A twist-lock), and NEMA L5-30R (120 V 30 A twist-lock) — giving flexibility for mixed 120 V load devices in a single unit. Input and output frequency is 50/60 Hz. Surge energy rating is specified at 540 J.
The GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL is a 208 V unit: input plug is L6-20P (208 V, 20 A twist-lock), output is 208 VAC with two L6-15R and two L6-20R outlets — a total of four receptacles versus the APC's ten. Input voltage range is described as '208 VAC nominal; variable based on output load'; a precise min/max operating range in volts is not provided in the supplied specs. Surge energy rating is not specified for the Vertiv.
These two units serve fundamentally different voltage ecosystems: the APC is a 120 V / 30 A unit; the Vertiv is a 208 V / 20 A unit. A buyer must match the UPS to their facility PDU voltage and their equipment's IEC or NEMA receptacle requirements before any other comparison is meaningful. The APC offers significantly more outlet positions (10 vs 4), which matters in dense rack deployments without a separate PDU.
What management interfaces, certifications, and physical constraints apply?
APC does not list management interface options in the supplied specifications for the SMX3000LVUS. Audible alarms are confirmed: on-battery and low-battery alerts are specified. No certifications or listings are noted in the provided data.
The GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL provides a richer documented management stack: USB, RS485, RS232, terminal block, and an external battery connector are standard. SNMP and web management are available via the optional Vertiv RDU101 communications card. The front panel features a full-color graphic LCD with gravity-sensing orientation for both rack and tower installations. Certifications listed include ENERGY STAR 2.0, UL1778, c-UL, RoHS2, and REACH.
Physical dimensions are provided only for the Vertiv: 3.4 in H × 16.9 in W × 21.3 in D, 65.1 lb, fitting a 2U rack slot. Operating temperature for the GXT5 is +32 to +122 °F (0–50 °C). The APC SMX3000LVUS is described as a 4U rack/tower unit; weight, depth, and operating temperature are not specified in the supplied data. Noise is specified only for the APC at 55 dB; the Vertiv does not provide an acoustic rating.
Which should you choose: the SMX3000LVUS or the GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL?
Our take: The GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL is the stronger choice when the facility runs 208 V infrastructure and the load demands zero-transfer-time, galvanic isolation via on-line double conversion. Its 3,000 W output capacity exceeds the APC's 2,700 W by 300 W, its ENERGY STAR 2.0 / UL1778 / RoHS2 certifications are documented, and its management interface suite — USB, RS485, RS232, optional SNMP card, and color LCD — is far richer than what the APC specs disclose. Conversely, the SMX3000LVUS is the appropriate selection for 120 V / NEMA environments: its L5-30P input and ten mixed-outlet configuration directly serve dense 120 V rack loads without an intervening PDU, and its 540 J surge rating and 98% efficiency are explicitly confirmed. Buyers must resolve voltage compatibility first — these units are not interchangeable. Platform qualifier: the Vertiv fits 208 V data-center rows; the APC fits 120 V wiring closets and SMB server rooms.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | APC by Schneider Electric SMX3000LVUS | Vertiv GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL |
|---|---|---|
| UPS Topology | Line-Interactive | On-Line Double Conversion |
| Output Capacity (VA) | 3,000 VA | 3,000 VA |
| Output Power (W) | 2,700 W | 3,000 W |
| Input Voltage (Nominal) | 100–127 V | 208 VAC |
| Input Plug | NEMA L5-30P | L6-20P |
| Output Voltage | 100–127 V | 208 VAC |
| Output Outlets | 10 (5-15R, L5-20R, L5-30R) | 4 (2× L6-15R, 2× L6-20R) |
| Waveform | Sine | — |
| Efficiency | 98% | Up to 98% (ECO) / Up to 95% (on-line) |
| Surge Energy Rating | 540 J | — |
| Noise Level | 55 dB | — |
| Form Factor / Rack Units | Rack/Tower, 4U | Rack/Tower, 2U |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | — | 3.4 in × 16.9 in × 21.3 in |
| Weight | — | 65.1 lb |
| Operating Temperature | — | +32 to +122 °F (0–50 °C) |
| Certifications | — | ENERGY STAR 2.0, UL1778, c-UL, RoHS2, REACH |
| Management Interfaces | — | USB, RS485, RS232, terminal block, optional SNMP/web card |
| Audible Alarms | Yes (on-battery, low battery) | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the SMX3000LVUS or the GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL?
The GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL is the stronger choice when the facility runs 208 V infrastructure and the load demands zero-transfer-time, galvanic isolation via on-line double conversion. Its 3,000 W output capacity exceeds the APC's 2,700 W by 300 W, its ENERGY STAR 2.0 / UL1778 / RoHS2 certifications are documented, and its management interface suite — USB, RS485, RS232, optional SNMP card, and color LCD — is far richer than what the APC specs disclose. Conversely, the SMX3000LVUS is the appropriate selection for 120 V / NEMA environments: its L5-30P input and ten mixed-outlet configuration directly serve dense 120 V rack loads without an intervening PDU, and its 540 J surge rating and 98% efficiency are explicitly confirmed. Buyers must resolve voltage compatibility first — these units are not interchangeable. Platform qualifier: the Vertiv fits 208 V data-center rows; the APC fits 120 V wiring closets and SMB server rooms.
Can I use the SMX3000LVUS and the GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL interchangeably in the same rack?
No. The SMX3000LVUS operates on 120 V input (NEMA L5-30P plug) and outputs 100–127 V across NEMA receptacles. The GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL operates on 208 V input (L6-20P plug) and outputs 208 VAC across L6-type receptacles. Plugging either unit into the wrong voltage feed will damage the unit or fail to power; receptacle types are physically incompatible without adapters, which would void safety listings.
Which unit is better for monitoring and remote management in a managed data center?
Based on the supplied specifications, the GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL has a significantly better-documented management story: USB, RS485, RS232, terminal block, an optional SNMP/web card (Vertiv RDU101), and a color LCD with gravity sensing are all specified. The SMX3000LVUS specs provided do not list any management interface or communications options, so a direct comparison cannot be made from the available data — buyers should consult APC's full datasheet for that model.
Is the GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL more efficient than the SMX3000LVUS?
It depends on operating mode. The SMX3000LVUS specifies 98% efficiency (no mode qualifier given). The GXT5 achieves 'up to 98%' only in Active ECO Mode, which reduces isolation; in full on-line double conversion mode it is rated at 'up to 95%'. If the GXT5 is run in standard on-line mode — as double conversion UPS units typically are in critical environments — the APC's line-interactive design will operate more efficiently. If ECO mode is acceptable for the load, efficiency is comparable.
More UPS Comparisons
- APC by Schneider Electric SMT3000RMT2U vs Panduit U03S12L
- APC by Schneider Electric SMT3000RMT2U vs Vertiv GXT5-3KL620RT2UXL
- APC by Schneider Electric SMT3000RMT2U vs Vertiv GXT5-3KL630RT2UXL
- APC by Schneider Electric SMT3000RMT2U vs Panduit U03N11V
- APC by Schneider Electric SMT3000RMT2U vs APC by Schneider Electric SMTL3000RM2UCNC
- APC by Schneider Electric SMT3000RMT2U vs APC by Schneider Electric SMX3000HV
UPS Buying Guides
Get a Second Opinion on Your Camera Choice
Share your site layout, coverage goals, and budget. Our team will validate the camera selection, flag anything we would change, and recommend products that match the use case.