Vertiv ITA2LI-15KRT208V7UN 15kVA/15kW Lithium-Ion 3-Phase Online Double Conversion UPS
The Vertiv Liebert ITA2LI-15KRT208V7UN is a 15kVA/15kW three-phase online double conversion UPS designed for mid-density data closets, edge compute racks, and security infrastructure where conditioned, uninterrupted power is non-negotiable. Running on lithium-ion battery chemistry with a unity (1.0) output power factor, it delivers the full nameplate wattage — not the reduced load you get with 0.8-PF legacy units — while cutting battery footprint and weight relative to traditional VRLA alternatives. If you're sizing power protection for network video recorders, server racks, or dense PoE switch stacks, this is a unit worth understanding before you commit to a configuration.
Overview
The ITA2LI-15KRT208V7UN operates as a true online double conversion system, meaning the output is always synthesized from the inverter — there is no transfer switching under normal operation. The result is 0 nanoseconds transfer time when utility power drops, which matters in environments where even a 4ms switchover can cause a server reboot or NVR storage corruption. Input accepts 208V or 220V AC (three-phase, four-wire), and the unit maintains regulation down to 96V AC before switching to battery — a wide enough window to absorb browndowns common in older commercial buildings. Backed by a commercial-grade UPS architecture, the ITA2 line is purpose-built for environments requiring high availability rather than basic surge protection.
Key Features
- 15kVA / 15kW at Unity Power Factor: A 1.0 output power factor means 15kW of usable load capacity — not 12kW as with older 0.8-PF units of the same VA rating. When you're sizing for high-density compute or NVR arrays drawing close to nameplate, this eliminates the margin math that trips up legacy UPS deployments.
- Online Double Conversion with 0ns Transfer Time: Output voltage is always inverter-sourced. There is no relay-based transfer path and no transfer delay — utility dropout or sag hits the battery bus instantly, invisible to downstream equipment. Critical for NVR systems writing continuously to disk and servers running latency-sensitive workloads.
- Lithium-Ion Battery Chemistry (384V DC Bus): Li-Ion runs at higher voltage, charges faster, tolerates deeper discharge cycles, and operates up to 50°C ambient — a meaningful difference in poorly cooled wiring closets or edge locations without dedicated HVAC. Li-Ion batteries in this configuration also carry a separate 5-year warranty, roughly double the service expectation of VRLA.
- 93% Efficiency: At 93% operating efficiency, heat rejection and energy cost stay manageable even at full load. A 15kW load through a 93%-efficient UPS wastes approximately 1.1kW as heat — plan cooling accordingly, but this is competitive for a true online topology at this capacity.
- Wide Input Voltage Range (96–156V AC per phase / 70–96V AC extended range): The extended low-end input window keeps the unit on utility power through browndowns that would force lesser UPS systems onto battery prematurely — conserving runtime for actual outages.
- Sine Wave Output, 3:1 Crest Factor: Pure sine wave output with a 3:1 crest factor accommodates active PFC power supplies in servers, switches, and modern NVRs. Non-sine (stepped approximation) UPS systems can cause instability or increased heat in PFC-equipped loads — not a concern here.
- Intelligent Card Slot with IS-UNITY SNMP Card Included: The bundled Liebert IntelliSlot IS-UNITY card enables SNMP-based monitoring, alerting, and graceful shutdown integration via your NMS or DCIM platform. UPS status, runtime, battery health, and load percentage are all accessible over the network without a separate management module purchase.
- Rack/Tower Convertible Form Factor (5.1" H × 16.9" W × 25.8" D): At 3U and 66 lb, the ITA2LI-15KRT208V7UN fits standard 19-inch racks without consuming excessive rack units. The convertible design also supports floor-standing tower deployment for non-rack environments.
- Maximum Operating Temperature: 50°C (122°F): Li-Ion chemistry enables this extended thermal ceiling. Standard VRLA UPS systems typically derate or fail above 25–30°C ambient — this unit stays operational in unconditioned spaces that would defeat conventional battery backup.
- Surge and Lightning Protection Built In: Integrated SPD on input means you are not layering a separate suppressor ahead of the UPS for basic transient protection.
Integration and Compatibility
The three-phase four-wire (208/120V or 220/127V) output accommodates mixed loads on a single UPS — three-phase equipment on 208V and single-phase loads (servers, NVRs, network gear) on the 120V leg outputs simultaneously. The included SNMP card supports standard MIBs compatible with most NMS platforms. Input frequency auto-senses at 50Hz or 60Hz, making the unit deployable in both North American and international installations without reconfiguration. For sites already running Vertiv Liebert infrastructure, the ITA2 integrates into existing Liebert monitoring ecosystems. The intelligent card slot accepts additional IS-series cards for expanded protocol support if your environment requires Modbus or BACnet beyond the included UNITY card. Pair this UPS with a managed PoE switch deployment to provide conditioned power upstream of your PoE budget calculations — a common oversight in large camera or VoIP rollouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the 2-year UPS warranty and the 5-year battery warranty on the ITA2LI-15KRT208V7UN?
A: The UPS hardware (electronics, inverter, charger, chassis) carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty. The included lithium-ion battery module carries a separate 5-year manufacturer warranty — reflecting the extended service life Li-Ion chemistry delivers compared to conventional VRLA batteries. These are two independent coverage periods on the same bundle.
Q: Does the ITA2LI-15KRT208V7UN include network management, or is that an add-on?
A: The ITA2LI-15KRT208V7UN bundle includes the Liebert IntelliSlot IS-UNITY card, which provides SNMP-based network management out of the box. You do not need to purchase a separate card for basic SNMP monitoring and graceful shutdown integration.
Q: Can this UPS run in a hot or uncooled wiring closet?
A: The lithium-ion chemistry used in this unit supports a maximum operating temperature of 50°C (122°F), which covers most unconditioned or poorly ventilated wiring closets. Standard VRLA-based UPS systems typically experience accelerated battery degradation above 25°C — this unit's thermal ceiling is a meaningful advantage in warm edge locations.
Q: What input power does the ITA2LI-15KRT208V7UN require?
A: The unit requires three-phase four-wire input at 208V AC or 220V AC. It maintains stable output regulation with input as low as 96V AC per phase before switching to battery, with an extended range down to 70V AC. It accepts both 50Hz and 60Hz input frequency automatically.
Q: Is the ITA2LI-15KRT208V7UN rack-mountable?
A: Yes. The unit is designed for both rack mounting (3U in a standard 19-inch rack at 5.1" H × 16.9" W × 25.8" D) and freestanding tower deployment. Weight is approximately 66 lb — account for this in floor-load and rail-kit selection for rack installations.
Q: What is the output power factor of the ITA2LI-15KRT208V7UN?
A: The output power factor is 1.0 (unity), meaning the full 15kVA nameplate rating translates directly to 15kW of usable load capacity. You do not need to derate the unit when powering modern servers and network equipment with active PFC power supplies.
The ITA2LI-15KRT208V7UN is one of those units I recommend when someone tells me they've been running a 15kVA VRLA UPS in a warm telecom room and replacing batteries every two to three years. The 50°C operating ceiling on the Li-Ion pack alone changes the service equation — and the 5-year battery warranty backs that up with manufacturer commitment rather than just a spec sheet claim.
Technical Highlights:
- Unity Power Factor (1.0): 15kVA becomes 15kW usable — no derating required. If you're planning a rack with 14kW of actual draw, this unit covers it without the 0.8-PF mental math that has undersized more than a few deployments.
- 0ns Transfer Time (True Online Double Conversion): The inverter is always in the output path. There is no mechanical relay and no 4–8ms gap when utility fails. For NVRs writing to spinning disk or RAID arrays, this is the only topology that reliably avoids write corruption on power events.
- 93% Efficiency with Li-Ion at 384V DC: The high-voltage DC bus (384V) improves inverter efficiency and reduces I²R losses in the battery circuit. At 93% efficiency under full 15kW load, you're dissipating roughly 1.1kW as heat — size your rack cooling to that number, not the nameplate input draw.
Deployment Considerations:
- This is a three-phase four-wire unit — confirm your facility has 208V three-phase available before ordering. Single-phase 208V input is not compatible. The output delivers both 208V three-phase and 120V single-phase legs, which is useful for mixed rack populations, but the input requirement is a hard prerequisite.
- At 66 lb in a 3U chassis, verify your rail kit and rack floor-load rating before installation. The depth is 25.8 inches — check rear clearance in shallower two-post or wall-mount enclosures before assuming a standard rack fit.
This unit is well matched to edge data rooms, security operations centers, and mid-density server racks where three-phase power is available and battery replacement cycles in warm environments have been a recurring operational cost. The Li-Ion chemistry and unity PF together address the two most common complaints I hear from integrators managing legacy VRLA UPS infrastructure at scale.
