APC by Schneider Electric This APC Smart-ups IS Designed for IT Professionals - SRT1500XLA

APC by Schneider Electric SRT1500XLA 1500VA Online Double-Conversion UPS

Overview

The SRT1500XLA is a 1500VA / 1350W online double-conversion UPS designed for IT professionals who need zero-transfer-time power protection for servers, network equipment, and security infrastructure running on standard 120V circuits. Unlike standby or line-interactive designs, the double-conversion topology means your connected loads always run off the inverter — the utility feed charges the battery, and any utility disturbance, sag, or outage causes zero interruption at the output. If your NVR, access control panel, or network core can't tolerate even a 4–8ms transfer gap, this is the architecture to specify.

With a pure sine wave output, the SRT1500XLA powers sensitive power supplies and variable-speed drives without waveform-induced stress — a critical consideration for rack-mounted security appliances and managed PoE switches that share power with the unit. The single NEMA 5-15P input draws from a standard 15A circuit; the six NEMA 5-15R output receptacles distribute power across your connected equipment.

Key Features

• Double-Conversion Online Topology: The inverter is always in the power path — 0ms transfer time to battery, no switching transient, no waveform glitch. For continuously recording NVRs or access control head-ends where a sub-cycle dropout triggers a reboot, this eliminates the failure mode entirely.
• 1350W / 1500VA at Less Than 2% THD: Total harmonic distortion under 2% and a 3:1 crest factor rating mean the SRT1500XLA handles non-linear loads (switching power supplies, motor inrush) without waveform degradation that would stress downstream equipment or invalidate your power quality baseline.
• Expandable Runtime via External Battery Packs: The internal 48V / 273 VAh battery gives you a baseline runtime sized to your load; up to 10 SRT48BP external packs can be added, pushing available runtime to 5,731 VAh — useful in surveillance installations where you need extended coverage during extended outages without adding a second UPS circuit.
• Built-in Bypass: The SRT1500XLA includes a built-in bypass, so if the UPS requires servicing, you can transfer connected loads to direct utility feed without a physical rewire or load shutdown — a meaningful operational advantage in 24/7 security environments.
• SNMP/Web Card Slot: One open slot for an optional network management card enables remote monitoring of load, battery state, voltage, and alarms via SNMP or browser — integrates into existing network management infrastructure without adding a dedicated monitoring appliance.
• PowerChute Compatible: Software-driven orderly shutdown of connected servers and OS environments before battery depletion — prevents filesystem corruption on NVR appliances and servers that don't tolerate hard power cuts.
• 50 dBA Acoustic Level: Double-conversion units run the inverter continuously, which generates more fan noise than standby designs. At 50 dBA, this unit is suitable for server rooms and network closets but would be noticeable in an open office or client-facing space — factor this into your installation location.
• IP20 Enclosure, Rack-Mount Compatible: IP20 rating means this is an indoor, controlled-environment unit — not for telecom cabinets exposed to dust ingress or outdoor enclosures. Rack-mount kit support (vertical orientation) allows it to sit in a standard 19-inch rack alongside the gear it protects. Verify rack unit depth against your cabinet before ordering.
• DB9 Serial Port: Direct RS-232 management connection for environments where network management card deployment is not justified or where out-of-band management is required independent of the network.
• 3–5 Year Battery Life, Hot-Swap Replacement: Internal battery (APCRBC155) is sized for a 3–5 year service interval; replacement is a planned maintenance event. Battery charge power is rated at 91W with a 3-hour typical recharge time — plan recharge windows after extended runtime events accordingly.

Integration & Compatibility

The SRT1500XLA draws from a standard NEMA 5-15P 15A circuit and outputs to six NEMA 5-15R receptacles — compatible with virtually all North American rack and desktop equipment using standard IEC or NEMA power supplies. The NVR and server appliances in a typical security head-end (NVR, managed PoE switch, access control server, door controllers) fall well within the 1350W capacity when load-planned properly. Use the 463 Btu/h heat dissipation spec when calculating cooling load for the room or cabinet. The PowerChute software compatibility covers both physical servers and virtual environments; the DB9 serial port and optional SNMP card cover scenarios where network-integrated management is either required or unavailable. External runtime extension via SRT48BP battery packs is the preferred path when site runtime requirements exceed internal battery capacity — adding packs is non-disruptive and does not require a new UPS circuit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the transfer time to battery on the SRT1500XLA?

A: Zero milliseconds. The SRT1500XLA uses a double-conversion online topology — the inverter is always in the power path, so there is no transfer switching event. Connected loads see no interruption during a utility outage or disturbance.

Q: How many external battery packs can the SRT1500XLA support?

A: Up to 10 SRT48BP external battery packs. The internal battery provides 273 VAh; each SRT48BP adds approximately 546 VAh, bringing the maximum available runtime capacity to approximately 5,731 VAh at maximum expansion.

Q: What is the replacement battery for the SRT1500XLA?

A: The internal replacement battery module is the APCRBC155. Battery life is rated at 3–5 years under normal operating conditions. The 3-hour typical recharge time should be factored into post-outage recovery planning.

Q: Does the SRT1500XLA output a pure sine wave?

A: Yes. The SRT1500XLA produces a pure sine wave output with less than 2% total harmonic distortion — suitable for active PFC power supplies, variable-speed motor drives, and sensitive electronics that require clean waveform power.

Q: Can the SRT1500XLA be rack-mounted?

A: Yes, with a rack-mount kit. The unit mounts vertically in a standard 19-inch rack. It weighs 48.50 lbs, so confirm your rack's weight capacity before installation. It is not rated for two-post rack mounting.

Q: What monitoring and management options are available on the SRT1500XLA?

A: The unit includes front panel LED indicators, an audible alarm system, a DB9 serial port for direct management, and one open slot for an optional SNMP/Web card for network-integrated monitoring. It is also compatible with PowerChute power management software for automated graceful shutdown of connected systems.

Jerry Tildsen

The SRT1500XLA earns its place in security head-ends precisely because of its double-conversion online topology — with 0ms transfer time and a pure sine wave output held to under 2% THD, it is the right power architecture for any installation where a brief power interruption would trigger an NVR reboot, corrupt a recording database, or drop an access control head-end off the network.

Technical Highlights:

• Double-Conversion / 0ms Transfer: The inverter never disconnects from the load — utility brownouts, sags, and outages are invisible to connected equipment. This is the specification that separates the SRT1500XLA from line-interactive designs in critical infrastructure roles.
• Expandable to 5,731 VAh: Ten SRT48BP packs can be daisy-chained for extended runtime without a second UPS circuit. For a 500W security head-end load, this translates to several hours of runtime — meaningful in locations where generator startup is slow or utility restoration is uncertain.
• 91W Charge Power / 3-Hour Recharge: After a deep discharge, the 91W battery charger needs roughly 3 hours to restore the internal 273 VAh pack. In environments with frequent short outages, back-to-back events within that recharge window could leave the unit with reduced runtime — worth noting in high-disturbance utility environments.

Deployment Considerations:

• At 48.50 lbs and rack-vertical mounting, confirm the cabinet's weight rail rating before installing — particularly in half-depth wall-mount enclosures common in access control closets.
• The 50 dBA acoustic level is a continuous-operation characteristic of double-conversion designs; this unit belongs in a dedicated equipment room or closet, not an open office or reception area where fan noise is noticeable.

The SRT1500XLA is the right specification for a rack-mounted security head-end — NVR, managed PoE switch, and access control server — in a commercial building where utility quality is inconsistent and a single unplanned reboot means a gap in the recorded video audit trail.