Vertiv GXT5LI-3000LVRT2UXL 3000VA 2U Online Double-Conversion Rack UPS
Overview
The Vertiv GXT5LI-3000LVRT2UXL is a 3000VA / 2700W online double-conversion UPS in a 2U rackmount form factor, built for IT closets, edge deployments, and mid-density server racks where zero transfer time and tight voltage regulation are non-negotiable. Unlike line-interactive designs that only condition power during sags, the GXT5LI-3000LVRT2UXL runs the load from its inverter continuously — utility power never reaches your equipment directly, which means no transfer gap and no waveform garbage reaching sensitive gear. If you're powering rack UPS systems for NVR arrays, network core switches, or edge compute nodes, this is the architecture that actually protects them.
Key Features
- 3000VA / 2700W Online Double-Conversion: The inverter is always in the load path. At a 0.9 power factor, you get a genuine 2700W output — not a derated 2100W you'd see from a similar-VA line-interactive unit. Size your load budget to 2700W actual, not the VA rating, and you'll have accurate headroom calculations.
- Input Voltage Range 60–150 VAC (102–150 VAC at full load): The wide input window means the unit stays on utility — not on battery — during typical voltage sags and brownouts. On a noisy commercial utility feed, that translates directly to longer battery life and fewer deep-discharge cycles. Full load is stable from 102 VAC nominal, and the unit won't transfer to battery until utility drops below 60 VAC.
- User-Configurable Output Voltage (100/110/115/120/125 VAC): Output can be set to 100, 110, 115, 120, or 125 VAC. Useful when you're protecting legacy equipment with narrow voltage tolerances or when future-proofing an installation against utility standard changes without replacing the UPS.
- Up to 98% Efficiency in Active ECO Mode: In standard online mode, efficiency peaks at 92% — respectable for double-conversion. Active ECO mode pushes that to 98% by allowing conditioned bypass under stable utility conditions while maintaining fast transfer capability. On a unit drawing ~2.3 kW continuously, the ECO mode difference can save meaningful energy costs over a multi-year deployment.
- Output Receptacles: (6) 5-15/20R + (1) L5-30R: Seven total output circuits — six standard NEMA 5-15/20R outlets and one NEMA L5-30R twist-lock. The twist-lock is useful for a downstream PDU feeding a high-density rack, while the six standard outlets handle individual servers or networking gear without requiring a PDU.
- Input: NEMA L5-30P Plug: The L5-30P input requires a matching L5-30 circuit at the rack — typically a 30A, 120V dedicated branch. If your data room only has L5-20 circuits, plan the electrical work before deployment; this is not a UPS you'll plug into a standard wall outlet.
- Color Graphic LCD with Gravity-Sensing Orientation: The display auto-rotates based on how the unit is mounted, which matters in a 2U rack where the front panel may be read from unusual angles during maintenance. You get live load percentage, battery runtime estimates, input/output voltage readings, and fault status without connecting a management interface.
- Interface: USB, RS232, Dry-Contact Terminal Block, Intellislot: The dry-contact terminal block enables integration with building management systems and legacy shutdown relay circuits without additional hardware. The Intellislot bay accepts optional management cards — including the Vertiv Liebert IntelliSlot RDU120 network card — to add SNMP/web management for remote monitoring and graceful shutdown scripting in virtualized environments.
- SNMP/Web Management via Optional RDU120 Card: Out of box, management is USB or RS232. If you need network-level visibility — power draw trends, battery health alerts, integration with your NMS — add the IntelliSlot RDU120. The Intellislot architecture lets you swap management cards without replacing the UPS, which is relevant when your monitoring stack changes.
- Certifications: UL 1778, UL 1973, UL 1642, Energy Star 2.0, RoHS, WEEE, REACH: UL 1778 is the UPS safety standard; UL 1973 covers battery systems; UL 1642 governs lithium cells — confirming the battery chemistry here is lithium-ion, not VRLA. Lithium-ion means faster recharge, longer cycle life, and a significantly smaller footprint at 48.5 lbs vs. a comparable VRLA unit that would run 70–80 lbs. Energy Star 2.0 certification validates the efficiency claims independently.
- Operating Temperature: 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C), 10% Derating at 50°C: The 0–40°C window covers most conditioned server rooms and wiring closets. The 10% derating note at 50°C is a hard limit worth flagging: if your edge closet runs hot in summer, verify ambient stays under 40°C or derate your load budget accordingly. Running a 2700W unit at 90% capacity in a 45°C closet without derating shortens battery life.
Integration and Compatibility
The GXT5LI-3000LVRT2UXL fits into a standard 2U rackmount position and draws input via NEMA L5-30P, so plan for a dedicated 30A, 120V branch circuit. The Intellislot expansion bay supports the optional RDU120 network card for SNMP v1/v2/v3 and web-based monitoring — appropriate for integration with network management platforms or virtualization hosts running graceful shutdown agents. The dry-contact terminal block connects directly to building automation systems or legacy relay-based shutdown panels without additional adapters. USB and RS232 ports support direct connection to a host for UPS communication software. For deployments requiring coordinated power management across multiple rack units, pair this UPS with a compatible rack PDU on the L5-30R output circuit. The Vertiv power protection line includes matching external battery cabinets and management accessories that extend runtime and centralize monitoring across installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What type of battery does the GXT5LI-3000LVRT2UXL use?
A: The GXT5LI-3000LVRT2UXL uses lithium-ion batteries, as confirmed by its UL 1973 (battery systems) and UL 1642 (lithium cells) certifications. Lithium-ion provides faster recharge and longer cycle life compared to traditional VRLA/lead-acid designs, and contributes to the relatively light 48.5 lb weight for a 3000VA rack UPS.
Q: What input plug and circuit does the GXT5LI-3000LVRT2UXL require?
A: The unit uses a NEMA L5-30P input plug, requiring a dedicated 30A, 120V branch circuit. This is not compatible with standard NEMA 5-15 or 5-20 wall outlets. Plan the electrical infrastructure before installation if your rack room only has 20A circuits.
Q: Does the GXT5LI-3000LVRT2UXL support SNMP network management out of the box?
A: No — SNMP and web management require the optional Vertiv Liebert IntelliSlot RDU120 network card, installed in the built-in Intellislot expansion bay. Out of the box, remote management is via USB or RS232 only. The Intellislot architecture allows the card to be added or swapped without replacing the UPS.
Q: What is the difference between the 92% online mode efficiency and the 98% Active ECO Mode?
A: In full online double-conversion mode, the inverter is always in the load path, providing the highest level of power conditioning at up to 92% efficiency. Active ECO Mode operates closer to a conditioned bypass under stable utility conditions, reducing losses and pushing efficiency to 98%, while maintaining fast transfer capability if utility quality degrades. ECO mode is suitable for stable utility environments where maximum efficiency is prioritized.
Q: Can the output voltage be changed on the GXT5LI-3000LVRT2UXL?
A: Yes. Output voltage is user-configurable to 100, 110, 115, 120, or 125 VAC via the front-panel LCD. This allows the unit to support equipment with specific voltage requirements without additional transformers.
Q: What are the rack space and weight requirements for the GXT5LI-3000LVRT2UXL?
A: The unit occupies 2U of rack space (3.4 in H × 16.9 in W × 21.5 in D) and weighs 48.5 lbs. Verify that your rack shelf or rail kit supports that weight at the 21.5-inch depth before installation.
The GXT5LI-3000LVRT2UXL stands out in the 3000VA rack UPS segment specifically because of its lithium-ion battery chemistry — confirmed by the UL 1973 and UL 1642 certifications on the spec sheet. At 48.5 lbs for a 2700W online unit, it's measurably lighter than comparable VRLA designs, which matters when you're loading a two-post relay rack or a wall-mount enclosure with weight constraints. I typically recommend this unit for edge deployments where battery replacement frequency and weight are real operational concerns, not just checkbox items.
Technical Highlights:
- Wide Input Window (60–150 VAC): On a commercial utility feed with frequent voltage excursions, the 60 VAC minimum input keeps the unit on utility power well below what most line-interactive designs tolerate — fewer battery transfers means longer battery life over the deployment lifecycle.
- 98% Active ECO Mode Efficiency: A 6-point efficiency gain over standard online mode (92%) is not cosmetic. On a unit running 2,700W continuously, that delta reduces heat dissipation in the rack and measurably affects annual energy costs in multi-UPS deployments.
- Intellislot Expansion Bay: The built-in Intellislot slot future-proofs the management stack. You can deploy this unit today with USB/RS232 management and slot in the RDU120 network card when your monitoring infrastructure is ready — without a UPS changeout.
Deployment Considerations:
- The L5-30P input is a hard infrastructure requirement — verify the dedicated 30A, 120V branch circuit exists at the rack position before ordering. Retrofitting the circuit after the fact delays commissioning.
- The 10% derating at 50°C is a real constraint for edge closets in warm climates. If ambient can reach 45°C in summer, plan your load budget at 90% of 2700W (2430W effective) and verify cooling capacity before finalizing the deployment design.
This unit is the right pick for a 2U rack position in a wiring closet or edge node protecting NVR arrays, managed switches, or virtualization hosts where lithium-ion battery longevity and zero-transfer-time protection justify the L5-30 circuit requirement.
