Vertiv RDU120 vs Vertiv PSI5-3000RT120LI: Specification Comparison
Both products are Vertiv Liebert PSI5 Lithium-Ion line-interactive UPS units rated at 3000VA, designed for rack or tower deployment in IT and physical-security environments. The comparison evaluates PSI5-3000SRT120LIN (the short-depth 3U bundled SKU that includes the RDU120 management card) against PSI5-3000RT120LI (the standard-depth standalone unit). Buyers cross-shopping these two are typically deciding between a compact footprint with an integrated management card versus a fuller-depth unit with more granular published electrical and interface specifications.
In This Guide
- What are the power ratings, waveform, and voltage flexibility of each unit?
- How do the physical dimensions, weight, and form-factor differ between units?
- What connectivity, interface, and management options does each unit provide?
- Which should you choose: the RDU120 or the PSI5-3000RT120LI?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
What are the power ratings, waveform, and voltage flexibility of each unit?
Product B (PSI5-3000RT120LI) carries an explicitly published power rating of 3000VA / 2700W with a 0.90 power factor, and specifies pure sinewave output on battery—a critical detail for loads sensitive to modified-wave power such as variable-frequency drives or modern server power supplies. Its topology is documented as line-interactive with automatic voltage regulation (AVR). Input is rated at 120VAC nominal with a 75–146VAC operating range; output defaults to 120VAC with user-selectable 100/110/115/125VAC options.
Product A (PSI5-3000SRT120LIN) shares the same nominal input range (120VAC, 75–146VAC) and the same output voltage selectability. However, its published specs do not explicitly state the VA-to-watt rating, power factor, waveform type, or topology. Buyers who require confirmed waveform quality or exact wattage for load planning must rely on Product B's spec sheet or request Product A's full datasheet, as those values are absent from the provided data.
How do the physical dimensions, weight, and form-factor differ between units?
The two units share the same width (17.24 in) but diverge significantly in depth and height. Product A (PSI5-3000SRT120LIN) is the short-depth variant: 16.92 in deep and 5.14 in tall (3U). Product B (PSI5-3000RT120LI) is the standard-depth unit at 24.8 in deep and 3.38 in tall. The depth difference is approximately 7.9 inches—nearly 8 inches of additional rack real estate required by Product B.
Weight follows the same pattern: Product A at 56.0 lbs versus Product B at 53.6 lbs—a 2.4 lb difference, marginal for most installations but worth noting for wall-mount or dense-stack scenarios. Both units are listed as rack/tower convertible, and both share the same operating temperature range of 32–104°F (0–40°C). Rack planners with shallow cabinets (under 24 in usable depth) should treat Product A's short-depth form as a hard requirement.
What connectivity, interface, and management options does each unit provide?
Product B (PSI5-3000RT120LI) has explicit, detailed interface documentation: USB port, EPO (Emergency Power Off) connector, an optional Liebert IntelliSlot UNITY communications card slot enabling SNMP and web management, and a rotatable LCD control panel. Output wiring is specified as 6 × 5-20R receptacles plus 1 × L5-30R, with an L5-30P input plug. Front-access hot-swappable battery kits are confirmed. Certifications include UL 1778, c-UL-us, UN 38.3, NOM, and FCC Part 15 Class B.
Product A (PSI5-3000SRT120LIN) is the bundle SKU that includes the RDU120 management card, which implies an IntelliSlot-class interface, but output receptacle count, plug types, EPO availability, and control panel specifics are not enumerated in the provided specs. Its compliance certifications are partially different: UL 1642, UL 1973, UL 1778, and CSA 22.2 No. 107.3—UL 1642 and 1973 are battery-cell and stationary-battery standards consistent with the LiFePO4 chemistry, but FCC Part 15 Class B and NOM are not listed. Warranty for Product A is explicitly 5-year advanced replacement including battery; Product B's warranty terms are not stated in the provided specs.
Which should you choose: the RDU120 or the PSI5-3000RT120LI?
Our take: The PSI5-3000RT120LI (Product B) is the stronger choice when complete electrical transparency and granular interface control are required at point of purchase, because its published specs fully confirm 3000VA/2700W output, pure sinewave waveform, 0.90 power factor, six 5-20R plus one L5-30R output receptacles, USB, EPO, and optional SNMP—none of which are explicitly documented for Product A. However, the PSI5-3000SRT120LIN (Product A) is the necessary choice for installations with shallow rack cabinets: at 16.92 in deep versus 24.8 in, it saves approximately 7.9 inches of depth that many edge or wall-mount enclosures simply cannot accommodate. Product A also ships with the RDU120 card already bundled and carries an explicit 5-year warranty covering the battery—terms absent from Product B's provided spec set. Buyers in standard-depth racks who need every interface detail confirmed before procurement should favor Product B; those in space-constrained environments or who want an all-in management bundle should favor Product A.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Vertiv RDU120 | Vertiv PSI5-3000RT120LI |
|---|---|---|
| SKU | PSI5-3000SRT120LIN | PSI5-3000RT120LI |
| Power Rating (VA / W) | — (not specified in provided specs) | 3000VA / 2700W |
| Power Factor | — (not specified) | 0.90 (2700W ÷ 3000VA) |
| Waveform on Battery | — (not specified) | Pure sinewave |
| Topology | — (not specified) | Line-interactive with AVR |
| Input Voltage (Nominal / Range) | 120VAC / 75–146VAC | 120VAC / 75–146VAC |
| Output Voltage (Default / Selectable) | 120VAC / 100, 110, 115, 125VAC | 120VAC / 100, 110, 115, 125VAC |
| Battery Chemistry | Lithium-Ion (LiFePO4) | — (not specified in provided specs) |
| Form Factor / Rack Units | 3U Rack/Tower Convertible | Rack/Tower Convertible (3.38 in H) |
| Width × Depth × Height (in) | 17.24 × 16.92 × 5.14 | 17.24 × 24.8 × 3.38 |
| Weight (lbs) | 56.0 | 53.6 |
| Output Receptacles | — (not specified) | 6 × 5-20R, 1 × L5-30R |
| Input Plug | — (not specified) | L5-30P |
| Interface / Comms | RDU120 included (bundled) | USB, EPO, optional IntelliSlot UNITY (SNMP/web) |
| Certifications | UL 1642, UL 1973, UL 1778, CSA 22.2 No. 107.3 | UL 1778, c-UL-us, UN 38.3, NOM, FCC Part 15 Class B |
| Warranty | 5-year advanced replacement incl. battery | — (not specified in provided specs) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the RDU120 or the PSI5-3000RT120LI?
The PSI5-3000RT120LI (Product B) is the stronger choice when complete electrical transparency and granular interface control are required at point of purchase, because its published specs fully confirm 3000VA/2700W output, pure sinewave waveform, 0.90 power factor, six 5-20R plus one L5-30R output receptacles, USB, EPO, and optional SNMP—none of which are explicitly documented for Product A. However, the PSI5-3000SRT120LIN (Product A) is the necessary choice for installations with shallow rack cabinets: at 16.92 in deep versus 24.8 in, it saves approximately 7.9 inches of depth that many edge or wall-mount enclosures simply cannot accommodate. Product A also ships with the RDU120 card already bundled and carries an explicit 5-year warranty covering the battery—terms absent from Product B's provided spec set. Buyers in standard-depth racks who need every interface detail confirmed before procurement should favor Product B; those in space-constrained environments or who want an all-in management bundle should favor Product A.
Which unit fits in a shallow rack cabinet under 20 inches deep?
Only the PSI5-3000SRT120LIN (Product A) qualifies. Its published depth is 16.92 inches. The PSI5-3000RT120LI (Product B) requires 24.8 inches of usable rack depth—roughly 8 inches more—and will not fit in most shallow or wall-mount enclosures.
Does either unit include a network management card out of the box?
The PSI5-3000SRT120LIN (Product A) is the bundled SKU that includes the RDU120 management card as part of the package. The PSI5-3000RT120LI (Product B) supports the optional Liebert IntelliSlot UNITY communications card for SNMP and web management, but that card is listed as optional—not included—in the provided specifications.
Which unit has a confirmed warranty covering the lithium-ion battery?
Only the PSI5-3000SRT120LIN (Product A) has an explicitly stated warranty in the provided specs: 5-year advanced replacement including the battery. No warranty terms are listed in the provided specifications for the PSI5-3000RT120LI (Product B). Buyers should request warranty documentation directly from Vertiv for Product B before purchasing.
More UPS Comparisons
- APC by Schneider Electric SMT3000RMI2U vs Vertiv GXT5-3000LVRT2UXL
- APC by Schneider Electric SMT3000RMI2U vs Panduit U03N11L
- APC by Schneider Electric SMT3000RMI2U vs Panduit U03N12L
- APC by Schneider Electric SMT3000RMI2U vs Panduit U03S12V
- APC by Schneider Electric SMT3000RMI2U vs APC by Schneider Electric SRT3000XLT
- APC by Schneider Electric SMT3000RMI2U vs APC by Schneider Electric SRT3000XLW-IEC
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.