APC by Schneider Electric SRT1500RMXLA Smart-UPS On-Line 1500VA 2U Rackmount UPS
Overview
The APC SRT1500RMXLA is a 1500VA / 1350W true online double-conversion uninterruptible power supply in a 2U rackmount form factor. Unlike line-interactive designs, double-conversion means connected equipment runs off inverted battery power continuously — utility voltage and frequency variations never reach your load. For security infrastructure (NVRs, access control servers, PoE switches) and IT edge gear where a single power event can corrupt recordings or drop door access, that isolation is the practical reason to choose online over interactive. Input is 120V via a NEMA 5-15P plug on a 6-foot cord; output is six NEMA 5-15R receptacles at 1350W combined capacity.
Key Features
- 1500VA / 1350W Double-Conversion Output: At half load (675W), the SRT1500RMXLA delivers 13.1 minutes of runtime — enough to execute a controlled shutdown or ride out a brief outage on a typical 4–6 camera NVR plus switch. At full 1350W load, runtime drops to 4.6 minutes, so right-sizing the load against your actual draw matters.
- Six NEMA 5-15R Output Receptacles: Six outlets cover a compact rack segment — NVR, PoE switch, and a couple of ancillary devices — without requiring outlet strips. All six are on battery-backed circuits; there are no surge-only outlets to misconfigure.
- APC SmartSlot ×2: Two expansion slots accept optional network management cards. Drop in an AP9630 for SNMP/web-based remote monitoring, or an AP9631 to add environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, contact closure). For unmanned IDF closets or remote sites, this is how you get UPS status into your NMS without a separate agent box.
- Serial RJ50 + USB Interface: The RJ50 APC Data Port and USB-A interface both support graceful OS shutdown via PowerChute software. Pair with the Simple Signaling Port for basic contact-closure shutdown on devices that don't run PowerChute.
- RBC155 Hot-Swap Battery: The replacement battery kit is the RBC155. Hot-swap capability means battery service doesn't require a maintenance window — pull and replace while the unit stays on load.
- 2U Rackmount Profile (3.35″H × 17.0″W × 20.0″D): The 20-inch depth fits standard 4-post racks without rear-rail extensions on most configurations. Verify your rail kit compatibility before ordering if your rack is shallower than 24 inches.
Integration & Compatibility
The two SmartSlot bays accept the AP9630 (network management, SNMP v1/v2c/v3) and AP9631 (adds environmental monitoring inputs) cards. The AP9620 legacy communications card is also listed as compatible for older infrastructure. PowerChute Business Edition and PowerChute Network Shutdown both integrate via the USB or serial interface for automated, graceful server and hypervisor shutdowns. The unit accepts 120V input and is suited to North American deployments; it is not a dual-voltage unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the battery runtime of the SRT1500RMXLA at half load?
A: At 675W (half load), the SRT1500RMXLA provides approximately 13.1 minutes of runtime. At full 1350W load, runtime is approximately 4.6 minutes.
Q: What network management cards are compatible with the SRT1500RMXLA?
A: The two APC SmartSlot bays accept the AP9630 (SNMP network management), AP9631 (environmental monitoring with temperature and humidity sensors), and AP9620 (legacy communications). Only one card per slot.
Q: What is the replacement battery for the SRT1500RMXLA?
A: The replacement battery kit is the RBC155. The design supports hot-swap battery replacement, so the unit can remain on load during a battery swap.
Q: How many outlets does the SRT1500RMXLA provide?
A: It provides six NEMA 5-15R output receptacles, all on battery-backed circuits. There are no surge-only outlets.
Q: What input voltage and plug type does the SRT1500RMXLA require?
A: The SRT1500RMXLA requires 120V AC input via a NEMA 5-15P plug on a 6-foot cord. It is designed for North American 120V environments.
Q: What rack space does the SRT1500RMXLA require?
A: The unit occupies 2U of rack space (3.35″H × 17.0″W × 20.0″D). Confirm your rack depth accommodates the 20-inch chassis before ordering.
The SRT1500RMXLA's double-conversion topology is the detail I always flag first on security rack builds — it's not a marketing term, it's an architectural difference. With true online double-conversion, your NVR and access control server are always running off the inverter, so a sag, surge, or complete input dropout produces zero transfer time to the load. That matters in environments where a brief gap can drop a door controller or cause a recorder to lose its current video segment.
Technical Highlights:
- 13.1-Minute Half-Load Runtime: At 675W — realistic for a compact NVR, an 8-port PoE switch, and a management server — you get over 13 minutes to execute shutdown sequences or wait out a utility event. Size your actual load against this number before assuming it covers a full rack segment.
- Dual SmartSlot Expansion: Two slots let you populate both an AP9630 for remote SNMP monitoring and an AP9631 for temperature/humidity sensing simultaneously — useful in unmanned telecom or IDF closets where environmental drift is a real risk.
- RBC155 Hot-Swap Battery: Battery replacement without dropping the load is a genuine operational advantage on 24/7 security systems where a scheduled maintenance window to power down cameras and recorders is difficult to justify.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 20.0-inch chassis depth requires a rack with adequate rear clearance — measure before racking, particularly in wall-mount enclosures or shallow 2-post frames that are common in smaller security closets.
- Six NEMA 5-15R outputs cap at 1350W combined; if your load exceeds that — common when adding a second PoE switch or a larger NVR — step up to a higher-capacity unit rather than running the SRT1500RMXLA near its ceiling continuously.
This unit is well-matched to a mid-density physical security rack: 16–32 camera NVR, one managed PoE switch, and an access control head-end — the load profile that lands consistently in the 500–800W range where the 13-minute half-load runtime is genuinely useful.
