Middle Atlantic Nexsys 1500VA UPS RUN Time Unit - UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15

Middle Atlantic UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15 Nexsys 1500VA Online UPS Expandable Run Time Unit

The Middle Atlantic UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15 is a 1500VA rack-mount battery expansion module purpose-built to extend runtime on the Nexsys Online UPS platform. Where a standard UPS gives you a fixed reserve window, this 2RU unit adds battery capacity on a dedicated 48VDC bus — letting integrators tailor uptime duration to the load and criticality of the rack without replacing the primary UPS head unit. If you're protecting rack-mounted UPS systems in an AV control room, security head-end, or network closet and the base runtime isn't enough to cover your longest expected outage or maintenance window, the UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15 is the unit to reach for.

Overview

The Middle Atlantic Nexsys platform uses an online (double-conversion) topology, which means incoming AC is continuously rectified to DC and re-inverted back to clean AC before it ever reaches your equipment. The UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15 extends the battery reservoir on that DC bus. Unlike line-interactive or standby designs that switch to battery only on a fault, the online architecture means your loads never see raw utility power — zero transfer time, no voltage spikes passed through. For gear that's sensitive to momentary sags (NVR hard drives mid-write, managed switches, encoders), that distinction matters in practice.

The unit ships in a standard 19-inch, 2RU form factor at 16 inches deep, so it drops into virtually any full-depth rack rail configuration. Mounting depth adjusts from 18 to 32 inches, covering shallow AV credenzas and deep network racks alike. Four mounting points provide solid chassis support given the 61.7 lb assembled weight — plan your rack weight budget before you slot this alongside other heavy infrastructure.

Key Features

• Online Double-Conversion Topology: Power is continuously re-converted through the internal DC bus, so loads see clean, regulated 110–127 VAC output at all times. Zero transfer time on utility failure — critical for NVRs and servers that misbehave on even a half-cycle dropout.
• 1500VA / 48VDC Architecture: The 48VDC output connects directly to the Nexsys head unit's battery bus. At 15 amps on the input (NEMA 5-15P), the unit pulls from a standard 20-amp protected circuit with headroom. Size the breaker and PDU port accordingly.
• 2RU Rack-Mount, 19-Inch Standard Width: Fits any EIA-310 standard rack. At 16 inches body depth with rails adjustable to 18–32 inches mounting depth, you can fit it in a mid-depth AV rack or a full-depth network cabinet without custom hardware.
• 61.7 lb Installed Weight: Dense battery chemistry means this adds real mass to your rack. A two-person install is strongly recommended — and verify your rack's weight rating before populating lower RUs with additional battery expanders. Shipping weight is 69.89 lbs, so freight handling matters.
• NEMA 5-15P Input / NEMA 5-15R Output: Standard North American plug and receptacle format. The 6-foot cord gives you enough reach to a nearby PDU without an extension, and the 15-amp input rating works with any standard 20-amp branch circuit — no hardwired connection required.
• Operating Range 32°–104°F (0°–40°C): Covers typical conditioned equipment room environments. Battery chemistry degrades above 77°F (25°C) over time, so avoid placing this in an uncooled IDF closet that runs warm in summer — you'll shorten battery service life even if the unit operates within spec.
• 3-Year Battery, FCC / RoHS Compliance: The battery carries a 3-year rating. FCC compliance covers conducted/radiated emissions for IT environments. RoHS compliance means the unit meets EU hazardous-substance restrictions — relevant for projects with environmental procurement requirements.
• TAA Non-Compliant: This unit is manufactured in China and is explicitly not TAA compliant. Federal, DoD, and GSA projects with TAA requirements will need a different solution — confirm procurement rules before specifying.

Integration and Compatibility

The UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15 is designed to integrate with the Middle Atlantic Nexsys Online UPS platform. The 48VDC output bus connects to the corresponding expansion port on the Nexsys head unit — do not attempt to wire this into a non-Nexsys UPS or a third-party battery bus without confirming voltage and connector compatibility with Middle Atlantic engineering. For rack power distribution planning, account for the 15-amp input draw on your PDU port allocation; standard 20-amp branch circuits accommodate this with appropriate derating. The NEMA 5-15R receptacle on the unit supports standard equipment plugs up to 15 amps — useful for local bypass loads during maintenance if the head unit permits it.

Integrators deploying this unit in structured rack enclosures should factor the 18-inch minimum mounting depth requirement — 2-post open-frame racks or shallow credenzas under 18 inches rail-to-rail will not accommodate this unit without adapter rails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What UPS platform is the UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15 compatible with?

A: The UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15 is engineered for the Middle Atlantic Nexsys Online UPS platform, connecting via the 48VDC battery expansion bus on the head unit. Do not attempt to use it with non-Nexsys or third-party UPS systems without direct confirmation from Middle Atlantic engineering.

Q: Is the UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15 TAA compliant for federal or government procurement?

A: No. The UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15 is manufactured in China and is explicitly listed as TAA Non-Compliant. It is not suitable for federal, DoD, or GSA projects that require TAA compliance.

Q: What is the battery warranty on the UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15?

A: The battery carries a 3-year rating per the manufacturer's specifications for this unit.

Q: What rack space and depth does the UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15 require?

A: The unit occupies 2RU in a standard 19-inch EIA-310 rack. Body depth is 16 inches, with mounting depth adjustable from 18 to 32 inches. Racks with less than 18 inches of usable mounting depth will not accommodate this unit without adapter rails.

Q: How heavy is the UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15, and are there installation precautions?

A: Installed weight is 61.7 lbs (28 kg); shipping weight is 69.89 lbs. A two-person installation is strongly recommended. Verify your rack's rated weight capacity before adding additional battery expansion modules.

Q: What input power does the UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15 require?

A: The unit requires 120 VAC input via a NEMA 5-15P plug on a 6-foot cord, drawing up to 15 amps. A standard 20-amp branch circuit with appropriate derating is the correct supply configuration.

Ted Perry

The UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15 comes up regularly in AV/security rack builds where the base Nexsys UPS runtime isn't long enough to cover a facility's outage window. At 1500VA on a 48VDC expansion bus with a double-conversion online topology, it extends the reserve without changing any upstream power architecture — you're adding battery capacity, not swapping head units. That matters when the head unit is already configured, cabled, and managing load.

Technical Highlights:

• 48VDC Battery Bus Output: Connects directly to the Nexsys head unit's expansion port. The DC bus architecture means no additional inverter stage — the head unit handles AC conversion for the combined battery bank, keeping the output waveform consistent.
• 61.7 lb Installed Weight in 2RU: That's a dense 30.85 lbs per rack unit. In a fully loaded rack, stacking two of these plus a head unit at the bottom is around 180+ lbs of battery weight alone — plan rack anchoring and floor load ratings before finalizing the build.
• Operating Temperature 32°–104°F: Nominal spec, but battery longevity starts degrading meaningfully above 77°F (25°C). If your IDF or head-end room runs 85°F in summer, expect shorter battery service intervals — this isn't a unit to install in an unconditioned space and forget.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 18-inch minimum mounting depth requirement eliminates shallow AV furniture and 2-post open-frame racks under that threshold — measure your rails before ordering. The four mounting points provide solid support but require a proper 4-post or cage-nut rail setup.
• TAA non-compliance is a hard stop for any federal or government-funded project with supply chain requirements — this is a China-origin unit with no TAA workaround available on this specific SKU.

The UPX-EXPANRUN-OL15 is the right specification for a security operations center or broadcast control room head-end where an extended power outage window is a design requirement and the Nexsys platform is already the standard — not a general-purpose battery expander for mixed or non-Nexsys racks.