Vertiv GXT5LI-1500LVRT2UXLN 1500VA Lithium-Ion Online Rack UPS with RDU120 Network Card
Overview
The Vertiv GXT5LI-1500LVRT2UXLN is a 1500VA / 1350W online double-conversion rack UPS built around a lithium-ion battery pack in a compact 2U form factor — a direct answer to the weight and footprint problem that makes traditional VRLA-based units impractical in dense edge deployments and remote telecom closets. At 39.7 lbs it ships with an included Vertiv Liebert IntelliSlot RDU120 network management card, giving you SNMP and web-based remote management out of the box rather than as an add-on purchase. If you've been specifying UPS units and then ordering a management card separately, the GXT5LI-1500LVRT2UXLN bundles that into a single SKU.
The GXT5 series sits in Vertiv's online double-conversion line, which means the connected load never runs directly off utility power — it runs off a continuously inverted DC bus. That architecture eliminates the transfer-time gap that line-interactive or standby designs accept, which matters for edge servers, VoIP infrastructure, and network gear where even a 4ms switchover can cause a reboot or registration loss.
Key Features
- 1500VA / 1350W Online Double-Conversion: Full online topology keeps output stable regardless of input quality — no transfer time on power loss. At 1350W usable capacity, this covers a 1U server, a PoE switch, and a managed firewall in a single rack enclosure without pushing the UPS above 80% load.
- Lithium-Ion Battery Chemistry: Li-ion cells deliver longer service life and a significantly reduced replacement cycle versus sealed lead-acid — and the weight savings (39.7 lbs versus 60+ lbs for comparable VRLA units) is tangible when you're shipping a unit to a remote site or lifting it into a wall-mount rack alone.
- Up to 98% Efficiency in Active ECO Mode: Online mode runs at up to 92% efficiency; Active ECO mode pushes that to 98%, cutting heat output and reducing operating costs on units that run continuously. For a deployment where 10–20 UPS units are on the floor, that delta in heat load matters for HVAC sizing.
- Included IntelliSlot RDU120 Network Card (SNMP/Web): The RDU120 card is already installed — not an optional upgrade. You get full SNMP and web-based remote management, environmental monitoring, and out-of-band access via USB and RS232 without ordering a second part number. This simplifies procurement and removes a common installation oversight.
- Six NEMA 5-15R Output Receptacles: Six individually accessible outlets on a standard 5-15R footprint cover mixed device loads without requiring a PDU in smaller deployments. Input is a NEMA 5-15P — standard wall plug, no hardwiring required.
- User-Configurable Output Voltage (100/110/115/120/125VAC): Output voltage is selectable across five settings, which is useful when conditioning power for imported or export-market equipment that expects 100V or 110V nominal rather than 120V standard US utility.
- Color Graphic LCD with Gravity-Sensing Orientation: The display automatically reorients based on whether the unit is rack-mounted horizontally or tower-deployed vertically — a small but practical detail that eliminates upside-down readouts when the same unit is deployed in different orientations across sites.
- Broad Input Voltage Range (60–150 VAC max): Nominal full-load range of 102–150 VAC accommodates the voltage sag common in older commercial buildings and rural facilities without immediately switching to battery, extending battery service life in sites with marginal utility quality.
- Dry-Contact Terminal Block + Intellislot Expansion: The dry-contact interface supports external alarm or building automation integration. The Intellislot bay allows future card upgrades (environmental sensors, additional protocol support) without replacing the UPS chassis.
- Energy Star 2.0 + UL 1778 / UL 1973 / UL 1642 Listed: UL 1778 covers UPS safety, UL 1973 covers stationary battery systems (relevant for the Li-ion pack), and UL 1642 covers the cells themselves. Energy Star 2.0 qualification supports green procurement requirements. RoHS, WEEE, and REACH compliance covers EU deployment and disposal requirements.
Integration and Compatibility
The GXT5LI-1500LVRT2UXLN connects to management infrastructure via USB, RS232, and the included RDU120 SNMP card. The RDU120 supports standard SNMP traps for integration with NMS platforms (SolarWinds, PRTG, Nagios, and similar) and provides a web interface for local browser-based management. The Intellislot bay accepts additional Vertiv IntelliSlot cards for expanded protocol support or environmental monitoring without chassis replacement.
For organizations deploying this unit in a rack alongside managed network switches or edge compute nodes, the six NEMA 5-15R outlets and 1350W capacity support typical 1U server + PoE switch combinations. The operating temperature ceiling of 104°F (40°C) — with 10% derating above 50°C — is appropriate for conditioned server rooms and IDF closets; it is not rated for high-ambient environments without supplemental cooling.
Buyers deploying in a rack UPS environment should account for the 2U height (3.4 in) and 18.7 in depth when planning cable management and rail clearance. The 39.7 lb weight is manageable for a two-person lift but verify rail kit compatibility for your specific rack before ordering — rail kits are not confirmed included based on available evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between online mode efficiency and Active ECO Mode on the GXT5LI-1500LVRT2UXLN?
A: In standard online double-conversion mode, the unit runs at up to 92% efficiency — the load always runs through the inverter, providing zero transfer time. Active ECO Mode raises efficiency to up to 98% by allowing the load to run more directly off conditioned utility power under stable conditions, reducing heat and energy draw. ECO mode introduces a small transfer time on switchover; use online mode for servers and switch gear where any gap is unacceptable, and ECO mode for less sensitive loads.
Q: Does the GXT5LI-1500LVRT2UXLN include a network management card?
A: Yes. The RDU120 IntelliSlot network card is included with this SKU. It provides SNMP and web-based remote management, USB and RS232 out-of-band interfaces, and supports integration with standard network management systems. No additional card purchase is required.
Q: What certifications does the GXT5LI-1500LVRT2UXLN carry?
A: The unit is listed to UL 1778 (UPS), UL 1973 (stationary battery systems), and UL 1642 (lithium cells). It also meets Energy Star 2.0 requirements and carries RoHS, WEEE, and REACH compliance for environmental and materials standards.
Q: What is the input voltage range on the GXT5LI-1500LVRT2UXLN?
A: At full load, the nominal input range is 102–150 VAC. The maximum accepted input range is 60–150 VAC. This wide window means the unit can condition significantly undervoltage utility power without switching to battery, which is useful in older commercial buildings or industrial facilities with inconsistent utility quality.
Q: Can the GXT5LI-1500LVRT2UXLN be used as a tower UPS?
A: The color graphic LCD includes gravity-sensing orientation, so the display automatically adjusts when the unit is positioned vertically (tower) versus horizontally (rack). This indicates the unit is designed for both orientations, though confirm tower-orientation physical support with the rail/stand kit options for your deployment.
Q: What output receptacles does the GXT5LI-1500LVRT2UXLN provide?
A: Six NEMA 5-15R receptacles are provided on the output side. Input uses a NEMA 5-15P plug — standard 15A wall outlet connection, no hardwired installation required for typical deployments.
The GXT5LI-1500LVRT2UXLN is one of the cleaner all-in SKUs in the 1500VA rack UPS category right now — and that's specifically because the RDU120 SNMP card ships installed. In practice, that card is a $150–200 add-on on comparable units, and it's the component most commonly left out of first-pass budget submissions. The Li-ion chemistry is the other thing worth flagging to customers who are still defaulting to VRLA: the weight difference alone (39.7 lbs versus 60+ for equivalent VRLA) changes what a single technician can handle at a remote site without a lift assist.
Technical Highlights:
- Active ECO Mode at 98% efficiency: Against a standard online mode ceiling of 92%, that 6-point gap in efficiency translates to real heat reduction in a sealed IDF closet — and lower operating costs on units that run 24/7/365.
- Input range 60–150 VAC max: That floor of 60V is unusually low. In facilities with aging electrical infrastructure where browndowns to 80–90V are not uncommon, this unit stays on inverter rather than switching — protecting connected gear without burning through battery reserves prematurely.
- UL 1973 listing (stationary battery systems): Most UPS units carry UL 1778. The additional UL 1973 listing is specific to the Li-ion battery assembly and matters for customers in regulated environments (healthcare, government) where battery safety listings are reviewed during commissioning.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 104°F (40°C) operating ceiling with 10% derating above 50°C means this unit is spec'd for conditioned spaces. Don't drop it in an uncooled outdoor cabinet or rooftop enclosure without verifying ambient temps — derate the load accordingly if the installation approaches the ceiling.
- Output is six NEMA 5-15R receptacles at 1350W total — not individual branch-circuit-protected outlets. If you need per-outlet switching or metering for granular load management, budget for a downstream intelligent PDU; this unit does not provide that natively.
Best fit for edge IT closets, small NVR/server racks, and VoIP infrastructure nodes where the bundle value of Li-ion + included SNMP management justifies the unit over a bare VRLA alternative — particularly in multi-site deployments where remote management from day one, not as a retrofit, is the operational requirement.
