Vertiv PSI5-2200RT120LITAA 1920W Lithium-Ion Line-Interactive Rack/Tower UPS

Overview

The PSI5-2200RT120LITAA is Vertiv's Liebert PSI5 2200VA lithium-ion UPS in a 2U rack/tower convertible chassis — purpose-built for deployments where battery weight, runtime flexibility, and clean power delivery all matter simultaneously. At 1920W true power output with a unity power factor, what's rated is what's available: no derating for non-linear loads like switching power supplies in server racks, NVR enclosures, or PoE switch stacks. Line-interactive topology with automatic voltage regulation means the unit corrects voltage sags and swells in the 75–146VAC input range without switching to battery, extending lithium-ion pack life significantly compared to online double-conversion designs that cycle batteries on every fluctuation. The Vertiv Liebert line is a recognized standard in commercial power protection, and the PSI5 series sits squarely in the mid-density rack UPS segment targeted at IT closets and security head-end rooms.

If you're specifying rack UPS systems for a surveillance or IT environment and TAA compliance is a hard requirement, the PSI5-2200RT120LITAA is one of the few lithium-ion options in this power class that carries it. TAA compliance matters for federal, DoD, and public-sector bids — it's a gate, not a preference, and worth confirming at the SKU level before building a quote.

Key Features

• 1920W at Unity Power Factor: Most UPS units in the "2200VA" class derate to 1650–1800W for real-world loads. The PSI5 delivers 1920W — a 1:1 VA-to-watt ratio — so you can actually budget full rack capacity without leaving a derating buffer. Meaningful when you're running high-density PoE switches or GPU-based video analytics servers.
• Lithium-Ion Chemistry: Li-ion packs weigh roughly half what equivalent VRLA (lead-acid) packs do, which matters in a 2U chassis — 39.5 lbs total versus 50–60 lbs for comparable VRLA units. Li-ion also tolerates higher ambient temperatures before degradation, relevant in equipment rooms that run warm. Expect a longer service life between replacements compared to VRLA.
• Up to 98% Efficiency in Normal Mode: Line-interactive topology at 98% efficiency translates directly to lower heat output and reduced electricity cost versus online double-conversion UPS units that typically run 92–96%. In a 24/7 surveillance or server environment, that efficiency gap adds up on the power bill over a multi-year deployment.
• Hot-Swappable Battery Kits via Front Access: Battery replacement doesn't require pulling the unit from the rack or shutting down connected equipment. Front-access hot-swap means a single technician can service the battery mid-shift without a maintenance window — a real operational advantage in environments where system downtime has a direct cost (live camera feeds, access control, 24/7 operations centers).
• Pure Sinewave Output on Battery: When utility power fails and the UPS transfers to battery, output is pure sinewave — not simulated or stepped approximation. Active PFC power supplies in servers, NVRs, and managed switches require pure sinewave; a modified or stepped sinewave output will cause these loads to fault, throttle, or fail. This is a hard requirement for modern commercial equipment, not a premium feature.
• Input Voltage Range 75–146VAC with AVR: The automatic voltage regulation window spans from 75V to 146V, absorbing the voltage swings common on shared commercial circuits — without touching the battery. Narrower AVR windows (common in cheaper units) trigger more frequent battery transfers, accelerating battery wear. This range handles brown-out conditions typical in facilities with heavy motor loads or aging electrical infrastructure.
• Selectable Output Voltage (100/110/115/120/125VAC): Output voltage is user-configurable from the front LCD panel. Useful when equipment in the rack has specific voltage requirements or when deploying internationally compatible hardware that expects 100V or 110V nominal. The rotatable LCD panel supports both rack and tower orientations without requiring a separate display kit.
• 7 Output Receptacles (6x 5-20R + 1x L5-20R): Seven outlets accommodate a mix of standard and twist-lock connections — the L5-20R handles critical loads requiring a locked connection (NVRs, core switches) while the six 5-20R outlets cover ancillary equipment. Input accepts either a standard 5-20P or a locking L5-20P plug, giving flexibility at the panel connection point.
• Optional IntelliSlot UNITY Card for SNMP/Web Management: The communications card slot supports the Liebert IntelliSlot UNITY option, enabling SNMP traps, web-based monitoring, and integration with network management platforms and building management systems. Without the card, USB and EPO connectivity are available natively. The EPO (Emergency Power Off) connector allows integration with facility-level emergency shutoff systems — required in some data center and government facility specs.
• TAA Compliant: PSI5-2200RT120LITAA is TAA-compliant, qualifying it for GSA schedules and federal procurement contracts. Confirm TAA status at the purchase order stage for any government or federal systems integrator deployment.
• Safety Listings: UL 1778, c-UL-us, UN38.3, FCC Part 15 Class B, NOM: UL 1778 is the UPS safety standard required by most commercial facility management and insurance policies. UN38.3 covers the lithium-ion battery transport certification — relevant if the unit ships as air freight or requires hazmat documentation. FCC Part 15 Class B confirms the unit meets residential/commercial EMI limits, reducing interference risk in sensitive RF environments.

Integration and Compatibility

The PSI5-2200RT120LITAA fits a standard 2U rack space at 17.2 in wide and 20.1 in deep — compatible with 4-post and 2-post racks in the standard 19-inch form factor. Depth at just over 20 inches is shallower than many competing 2U UPS units, leaving more clearance in shallow-depth wall-mount enclosures. Pair with a managed rack PDU downstream of the UPS if per-outlet switching or monitoring is needed, since the PSI5 itself provides outlet-level protection but not outlet-level switching.

SNMP integration via the optional IntelliSlot UNITY card enables monitoring through platforms like PRTG, SolarWinds, or Vertiv's own Environet Alert. Without the card, USB-connected monitoring via compatible UPS management software is available. The EPO port wires to facility emergency shutoff systems using a dry-contact connection — check local electrical code requirements for EPO implementation in your jurisdiction.

Operating temperature range is 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C). Most data closets and security head-end rooms stay within this range, but edge deployments in unconditioned spaces (warehouse security offices, outdoor-adjacent enclosures) should verify ambient temperature before specifying this unit. Lithium-ion chemistry is more tolerant of elevated temperature than VRLA, but the 104°F ceiling is still a hard limit for reliable operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the PSI5-2200RT120LITAA TAA compliant?

A: Yes. The PSI5-2200RT120LITAA carries TAA compliance, making it eligible for federal government procurement on GSA schedules and similar programs. Verify TAA status at the purchase order stage for any contract-specific requirements.

Q: Does the PSI5-2200RT120LITAA require a special outlet? What plug type does it use?

A: The unit accepts either a standard NEMA 5-20P or a locking NEMA L5-20P input plug — both require a 20-amp circuit. A standard 15-amp outlet will not work. Output includes six NEMA 5-20R receptacles and one locking NEMA L5-20R receptacle for a total of seven outlets.

Q: Can the batteries be replaced without shutting down connected equipment?

A: Yes. The PSI5-2200RT120LITAA features front-access hot-swappable battery kits, so battery replacement can be performed while the unit continues to power connected loads. No maintenance window or rack pull is required.

Q: What communications options are available on the PSI5-2200RT120LITAA?

A: The unit includes a USB port and EPO (Emergency Power Off) connector natively. SNMP and web-based management require the optional Liebert IntelliSlot UNITY communications card, which installs in the dedicated card slot. Without the card, the unit does not support SNMP traps or network monitoring.

Q: What is the actual watt output of the PSI5-2200RT120LITAA — is it really 2200W?

A: The unit is rated 1920VA / 1920W at a unity (1.0) power factor. The "2200" in the model number reflects the VA class, not the watt output. At 1920W with a 1:1 power factor, there is no derating penalty for typical IT and security loads.

Q: Can the PSI5-2200RT120LITAA be used as a tower unit as well as rack-mounted?

A: Yes. The rotatable LCD display panel and convertible chassis support both rack and tower installation orientations. No additional kit is required to switch between the two configurations.

Ted Perry

The PSI5-2200RT120LITAA is the unit I reach for when a surveillance or security head-end deployment has a TAA requirement and the customer wants to stop replacing VRLA batteries every 3–4 years. The lithium-ion chemistry is the real operational story here — it's not a premium marketing angle, it's a meaningful difference in total cost of ownership over a 10-year deployment cycle, and at 39.5 lbs the rack handling during initial install is noticeably easier than comparable lead-acid units.

Technical Highlights:

• 98% Normal-Mode Efficiency: That's a real number, not a peak spec — line-interactive topology at 98% runs cooler and costs less to operate 24/7 than an online double-conversion unit at 94%. In a security operations center running 30+ cameras and a multi-bay NVR, the annual electricity delta is measurable.
• 75–146VAC Input AVR Window: This is a wide voltage correction range. On a shared commercial circuit feeding a building with HVAC compressors or elevator motors, you'll see sags into the 85–95V range regularly. The PSI5 corrects those in-range without a battery transfer — protecting the battery while keeping loads clean.
• Pure Sinewave on Battery: Every modern NVR, managed switch, and server with active PFC requires this. Specifying a modified-sinewave UPS under this class of equipment is a known failure mode — the PSI5-2200RT120LITAA eliminates that risk entirely.

Deployment Considerations:

• The SNMP/web management capability that most integrators expect for remote monitoring is NOT included by default — it requires the optional Liebert IntelliSlot UNITY card. Budget for that card at proposal time if network-based UPS monitoring is in scope; it's a separate line item.
• Input circuit requirement is 20A — this catches installers who assume a standard 15A receptacle will work. Verify the circuit breaker rating and outlet type at the rack location before delivery. A NEMA 5-20R or L5-20R outlet on a dedicated 20A breaker is the minimum.

This unit is the right call for a federal facility security refresh, a TAA-gated government integrator bid, or any deployment where the 3-year VRLA replacement cycle has become a budget and logistics burden. It's not the cheapest 2U UPS in the class, but the lithium chemistry, hot-swap access, and TAA status justify the premium in environments that run continuously and have compliance requirements.