Middle Atlantic Nexsys 1.5KVA Online UPS Bank Ctrl - UPX-OL1500R-2

Middle Atlantic UPX-OL1500R-2 Nexsys 1500VA Online Double-Conversion Rack UPS with Bank Outlet Control

Overview

The Middle Atlantic UPX-OL1500R-2 is a 1500VA / 1350W true online double-conversion UPS designed for AV rack systems, security equipment rooms, and any environment where a momentary power interruption is unacceptable. Unlike standby or line-interactive designs that transfer on power loss, an online topology runs the load continuously through the inverter — your connected equipment never sees raw utility power, period. That distinction matters when you're protecting IP cameras, NVRs, access control panels, or managed network switches where even a 4ms transfer gap can cause a reboot or corrupt a write operation. The UPX-OL1500R-2 fits a standard 19-inch rack in 2U of vertical space (3.5 in tall, 16 in deep) and is sized to drop into rack depths ranging from 22 in minimum to 34 in maximum — a practical window that covers most telecom and AV racks.

For related power protection options across the Middle Atlantic product line, including rack enclosures and power management solutions, the full catalog covers the infrastructure needs of a typical security or AV installation end to end.

Key Features

• True Online Double-Conversion Topology: The load runs off the inverter at all times, so utility anomalies — sags, swells, spikes, frequency deviations — are completely isolated from your equipment. There is no transfer time on outage. For network video recorders writing continuously to disk, this is the correct topology choice; standby UPS units are not appropriate here.
• 1500VA / 1350W Capacity at 0.9 Power Factor: The 0.9 power factor rating is meaningful — a 1500VA unit at 0.8 PF only delivers 1200W, not 1350W. If your load inventory adds up to 1100–1200W of real power, this unit has enough headroom to remain in regulation without straining the batteries.
• 8 NEMA 5-15R Outlets with Bank Control: The eight receptacles are grouped into banks, each controllable independently. In practice this lets you sequence loads on restore (bring up the switch before the NVR, for example) or cut power to non-critical loads to extend runtime for critical devices during an extended outage. Each outlet carries up to 15A on a NEMA 5-15P plug — standard for North American rack accessories.
• 110–127 VAC Output: The inverter actively regulates output voltage to the 110–127 VAC band regardless of what the utility delivers. Equipment that's sensitive to voltage drift — IP cameras with internal power supplies, PoE switches, video encoders — benefits from this regulation even during normal utility operation.
• Network-Enabled (No Card Included): The unit supports a network management card, though one is not included. Adding network management gives you remote outlet control and runtime monitoring over SNMP or a web interface — essential if you're managing a distributed multi-rack deployment and need to schedule controlled shutdowns or check battery health without a site visit.
• Energy Star 2.0 Certified: Online UPS units carry an efficiency penalty over standby designs, but Energy Star 2.0 certification indicates the UPX-OL1500R-2 meets established efficiency thresholds — which keeps heat generation and electricity cost from becoming a secondary problem in a sealed equipment rack.
• cTUVus Safety Certification: The cTUVus mark confirms UL and CSA compliance for both the US and Canadian markets. This is a procurement requirement for most integrators supplying government, healthcare, or education facilities, and it matters for insurance and inspection sign-off.
• 2U 19-Inch Rack Form Factor: At 19 in wide × 3.5 in tall × 16 in deep and 44.7 lbs, this is a two-rack-unit device. Plan your rack for the weight — nearly 45 lbs at the back of a mid-depth rack shifts the center of gravity substantially. Four mounting points secure it to the rack rails.
• Operating Temperature Range 32°–104°F (0°–40°C): Standard commercial temperature range, appropriate for conditioned equipment rooms and climate-controlled server closets. This is not rated for unconditioned outdoor enclosures or attic installations; keep ambient below 40°C to protect battery service life.

Integration and Compatibility

The UPX-OL1500R-2 outputs 110–127 VAC on NEMA 5-15R receptacles, compatible with the overwhelming majority of North American rack equipment. The 15A NEMA 5-15P input plug connects to any standard 15A circuit — no dedicated outlet or hardwire required. The unit is network-enabled and accepts an optional network management card, which allows integration with building management systems or UPS monitoring software over SNMP. The REACH and Energy Star 2.0 compliance facilitate procurement in regulated verticals. Note that TAA compliance is not supported on this SKU — federal procurement officers should verify applicability before ordering.

When speccing the load, account for inrush current from connected PoE switches at startup. A fully loaded 24-port 802.3at switch can spike well above its steady-state draw during boot. Bank-level outlet control on the UPX-OL1500R-2 allows you to stagger the startup sequence and prevent inrush from tripping the overload protection.

For guidance on sizing UPS capacity against camera and NVR power budgets, see the power protection buying guide before finalizing your rack design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between an online UPS and a line-interactive UPS — and why does it matter for security systems?

A: An online UPS like the UPX-OL1500R-2 runs the load continuously through the inverter, so there is zero transfer time on utility failure and no raw utility power ever reaches your equipment. A line-interactive UPS transfers on outage — typically in 4–10ms — which is enough to cause some IP cameras, PoE switches, or NVRs to reboot. For continuous-recording security infrastructure, online is the correct choice.

Q: Is the UPX-OL1500R-2 TAA compliant for federal purchasing?

A: No. The UPX-OL1500R-2 is not TAA compliant. Federal procurement programs requiring TAA-compliant UPS hardware should evaluate a different SKU in the Nexsys line.

Q: Does the UPX-OL1500R-2 include a network management card?

A: No. The unit is network-enabled and accepts a network management card, but one is not included in the box. The network card must be purchased and installed separately to enable SNMP monitoring and remote outlet control.

Q: What rack depth is required to install the UPX-OL1500R-2?

A: The mounting depth range is 22 inches minimum to 34 inches maximum. The unit itself is 16 inches deep and mounts in a standard 19-inch wide rack via 4 mounting points in a 2U (3.5 in) space.

Q: What is the real power output (watts) of the UPX-OL1500R-2, and how should I size my load?

A: The unit delivers 1350W at 0.9 power factor. As a practical guideline, keep your connected load below 80% of rated capacity — approximately 1080W — to maintain battery runtime headroom and avoid running near thermal limits continuously.

Q: What certifications does the UPX-OL1500R-2 carry?

A: The UPX-OL1500R-2 carries cTUVus (UL and CSA safety certification for US and Canada), Energy Star 2.0, and REACH compliance. It is not TAA compliant.

Jerry Tildsen

The UPX-OL1500R-2 sits in an interesting spot in the Nexsys line — 1350W of real power in a true online topology is genuinely useful for mid-density security racks, but the spec that gets overlooked most often is the 0.9 power factor. That's actually high for an online unit, and it means the VA-to-watt translation is honest: 1500VA delivers 1350W, not the 1200W you'd get from a 0.8 PF unit of the same VA rating. If you're adding up your NVR, switch, and camera injector loads and landing somewhere around 1000–1100W, this is the unit that actually has headroom rather than just appearing to.

Technical Highlights:

• Online Double-Conversion: Zero transfer time means a mid-recording NVR disk write survives a utility blip without corruption — a real operational difference versus standby designs in 24/7 recording environments.
• Bank-Controlled 8-Outlet Layout: Independent bank control over 8 NEMA 5-15R outlets lets you define a startup sequence on restore — switches first, then NVRs, then cameras — preventing inrush stacking that can trip overload protection when everything tries to boot simultaneously.
• Energy Star 2.0 at Online Topology: Online UPS units pay an efficiency tax. The Energy Star 2.0 certification indicates this unit clears the efficiency threshold — relevant in enclosed racks where heat buildup from an inefficient UPS becomes a secondary thermal problem for the equipment it's supposed to protect.

Deployment Considerations:

• At 44.7 lbs in a 2U form factor, rack placement matters — mount it low in the enclosure to keep the center of gravity manageable. Rack depth must be 22–34 inches; verify before ordering if you're working with shallow telecom or wall-mount enclosures.
• The network management slot is present but the card is not included. If remote monitoring or graceful shutdown scripting is part of your design — and it should be for any unattended equipment room — budget for the network card separately or you're flying blind on battery state and runtime.

This unit is a strong fit for mid-density physical security racks: an NVR, a 24-port managed PoE switch, and a handful of access control panels will land well within the 1350W ceiling with room to spare. It's less appropriate for high-density compute or storage arrays where load profiles are less predictable and TAA compliance is typically required.