Vertiv ITA2-20KRT208V31URN 20kVA 3-Phase 1+1 Redundant Double-Conversion Online UPS Bundle
Overview
The Vertiv Liebert ITA2-20KRT208V31URN is a 20kVA/20kW three-phase, double-conversion online UPS bundle built for IT infrastructure where power quality and uptime aren't negotiable. Rack-tower convertible and shipping with four pairs of VRLA batteries plus a Unity Network Interface Card, this bundle is sized for server rooms, edge data closets, and network equipment rooms running critical loads at 208/120VAC (or 220/127VAC). Its 1+1 redundant architecture means a single module failure won't drop your load — the parallel partner takes over without interruption. If you're protecting high-density compute, storage arrays, or networking gear where even a momentary voltage sag causes cascading issues, this is the class of device to evaluate.
True online double-conversion means the load runs off the inverter continuously — utility power never reaches your equipment directly. Every voltage spike, sag, frequency deviation, and harmonic distortion is filtered out before it reaches your servers. Compare that to line-interactive or standby designs, which only engage conversion when they detect a problem: by the time the transfer completes (even at 4–8ms), sensitive loads have already seen the disturbance. The ITA2-20KRT208V31URN eliminates that window entirely.
Key Features
- 20kVA / 20kW at Unity Power Factor (1.0): A unity power factor means you get the full 20kW of real power out of a 20kVA UPS — no derating. Many older UPS designs deliver only 80% (16kW from a 20kVA unit). That gap matters when you're sizing for dense server loads that draw close to nameplate.
- 1+1 Redundant Parallel Architecture: Two modules operate in parallel; either one can carry the full 20kW load independently. Lose a module to a fault or pull it for maintenance — the other holds the load without a transfer gap. This is the standard redundancy model for Tier II and Tier III data environments.
- Online Double-Conversion Technology: The load runs off a regulated inverter continuously. Input power is rectified to DC, then re-inverted to clean AC sine wave output. No transfer time, no pass-through of utility disturbances. Critical for VoIP switches, SAN controllers, and any load that resets on brief sags.
- 99% Efficiency in ECO Mode: In standard double-conversion mode, efficiency exceeds 93%. ECO mode pushes that to 99% — measurable on your power bill at 20kW continuous load. At a U.S. commercial rate of $0.12/kWh, the difference between 93% and 99% efficiency saves roughly 1.3kW of heat and draw continuously, which also reduces cooling load in the equipment room.
- Hot-Swappable, User-Replaceable VRLA Batteries: The four battery pairs are designed for hot-swap replacement without dropping the load (with the 1+1 parallel module carrying during service). Valve-regulated lead acid chemistry means no watering, no venting requirements, and no special room conditioning beyond standard equipment room ambient.
- ENERGY STAR 2.0 Certified: This certification requires verified efficiency thresholds across the load curve — not just at peak. Relevant if your facility has sustainability reporting requirements or if you're deploying into a data center with PUE targets.
- Intelligent Network Management — SNMP / NIC Slot: Ships with a Unity Network Interface Card (NIC) installed. Enables SNMP polling, remote monitoring, and graceful server shutdown integration via standard UPS management protocols. Integrate directly into your NMS without purchasing an add-on card separately.
- Scalable Battery Runtime: External battery cabinet support allows runtime extension beyond the base VRLA strings — useful when your recovery time objective (RTO) requires more than basic bridge-to-generator runtime. Exact runtime depends on load; size accordingly.
- Rack/Tower Convertible Form Factor: Installs in a standard equipment rack or stands alone in tower orientation — useful for edge locations without a full rack enclosure. Confirm rack unit depth and weight capacity before installation; three-phase UPS units at this power class are dense.
- 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty: Covered under Vertiv's standard 2-year limited warranty. Battery warranty terms are typically shorter and separate — confirm battery coverage specifics with Vertiv documentation at time of purchase.
Integration and Compatibility
The ITA2-20KRT208V31URN accepts 208/120VAC or 220/127VAC three-phase four-wire input, making it compatible with standard North American three-phase distribution panels. The included Unity NIC supports SNMP-based integration with most enterprise NMS platforms, including HP OpenView, IBM Director, and compatible monitoring stacks. Software monitoring is available optionally for expanded visibility and automated shutdown coordination. The optional maintenance bypass cabinet — referenced in the product documentation — enables zero-downtime UPS service when required, though it is not included in this bundle SKU and must be ordered separately. Verify input circuit breaker sizing and conductor gauge against local electrical code for 20kW three-phase loads before installation; this is not a plug-and-play deployment for most facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the ITA2-20KRT208V31URN operating in double-conversion mode versus ECO mode?
A: In double-conversion mode, the load runs continuously off the inverter — all utility power is rectified and re-inverted, providing complete isolation from input disturbances. Efficiency exceeds 93% in this mode. ECO mode allows clean utility power to pass through directly with the inverter on standby, pushing efficiency to 99%, but with a brief transfer time if a disturbance is detected. For loads that are sensitive to any transfer gap, stay in double-conversion mode. For less critical loads where efficiency savings matter more, ECO mode is appropriate.
Q: Does the ITA2-20KRT208V31URN include network management capability out of the box?
A: Yes. The bundle ships with a Unity Network Interface Card (NIC) already installed. This enables SNMP-based remote monitoring and management without purchasing an additional card. The UPS also has an intelligent card slot for optional expansion.
Q: What battery type does the ITA2-20KRT208V31URN use, and can batteries be replaced without dropping the load?
A: It uses valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries — four pairs included in this bundle. VRLA chemistry requires no maintenance watering and no special room ventilation. Batteries are designed to be hot-swappable; with the 1+1 parallel module carrying the load, a battery service event does not require a planned outage.
Q: What input voltage does the ITA2-20KRT208V31URN require?
A: The unit accepts 208/120VAC (or 220/127VAC) three-phase four-wire input. This matches standard North American commercial three-phase distribution. Confirm your panel circuit capacity and breaker sizing for a 20kW three-phase load before installation.
Q: What is the warranty on the ITA2-20KRT208V31URN?
A: The unit carries a 2-year limited manufacturer warranty. Battery coverage terms may differ from the main unit warranty — verify battery-specific warranty terms in the Vertiv documentation provided with the unit at time of purchase.
Q: Is the ITA2-20KRT208V31URN ENERGY STAR certified?
A: Yes. It carries ENERGY STAR 2.0 certification, which requires verified efficiency performance across the load curve — not only at peak load. This is relevant for data center PUE reporting and facilities with energy efficiency mandates.
The ITA2-20KRT208V31URN is a bundle I'd recommend to any integrator sizing power protection for a mid-size server room or edge data closet where a single UPS failure cannot be a service event. The 1+1 parallel redundancy is the defining spec here — at 20kW, you're protecting enough load that an unplanned outage carries real operational and financial consequence, and the redundant module means a hardware fault doesn't become an emergency call at 2am.
Technical Highlights:
- Unity Power Factor (1.0): Full 20kW real power output from a 20kVA rating — no derating math required when comparing to competitors quoting 0.8 power factor units. At this load class, that gap can be 4kW, which changes the number of servers you can protect per UPS.
- 99% ECO Mode Efficiency: At 20kW continuous draw, the gap between 93% double-conversion and 99% ECO mode is roughly 1.3kW of continuous losses — that's heat, cooling load, and electricity cost. Over a year of runtime, ECO mode at this scale is worth evaluating if your load profile is stable and clean.
- Included Unity NIC: SNMP management is built in — no add-on card to source or budget separately. That matters during deployment planning when card availability and lead times can slip project timelines.
Deployment Considerations:
- Three-phase 208V input at 20kW requires a dedicated circuit with appropriately sized breaker and conductors — coordinate with the facility electrician before the unit arrives on site. This is not a last-minute wiring decision.
- The maintenance bypass cabinet that enables zero-downtime UPS service is referenced in Vertiv documentation but is NOT included in this bundle SKU. Budget and order it separately if your SLA requires the ability to service the UPS without a planned maintenance window.
This bundle is the right fit for a colocation edge node, a manufacturing plant's control network room, or a healthcare facility's imaging server stack — anywhere a 20kW three-phase load needs both clean power and the assurance that a single module problem doesn't become a downtime event.
