APC by Schneider Electric UPS - 16 KW - DB-9 RS-232 RJ-45 10/100 Base-t - Black - SURT20KRMXLI

APC by Schneider Electric SURT20KRMXLI Rack/Tower Online Double-Conversion UPS

Overview

The APC by Schneider Electric SURT20KRMXLI is a 20KVA / 16kW online double-conversion UPS in a rackmount/tower convertible chassis — the class of unit you deploy when downstream equipment cannot tolerate even a millisecond of transfer time. Online double-conversion means the load runs continuously from inverted DC power; the utility feed charges the battery bank rather than directly powering the load. The result is true galvanic isolation from the utility: voltage sags, swells, harmonic distortion, and frequency excursions on the input side never reach your servers, storage arrays, or network infrastructure. For data centers, broadcast facilities, and critical infrastructure rooms carrying mixed AC loads up to 16kW, that isolation is the core value proposition.

Input accepts a wide voltage window of 160–280V with auto-sensing frequency from 40–70Hz, which means the SURT20KRMXLI can commission in virtually any facility worldwide without requiring input regulation tuning. Maximum input current draw reaches 115A, so confirm your facility's feed and breaker sizing before installation — at full load this unit demands a properly rated dedicated circuit.

Key Features

• Online Double-Conversion Topology: The load never transfers to raw utility power — it runs from the inverter at all times. Unlike line-interactive designs that switch on sag/surge events, there is zero transfer time and zero utility-borne noise passed to downstream equipment. For equipment that fails or corrupts data on even brief power interruptions, this topology is non-negotiable.
• 16kW / 20KVA Output: Sized for high-density rack environments. At typical server power factors of 0.9, a 20KVA unit delivers a genuine 16kW usable load — plan your rack PDU assignments accordingly rather than loading to nameplate VA.
• True Sine Wave Output: Delivers a pure sine wave under both utility and battery conditions. Active PFC power supplies in modern servers and storage require true sine wave to operate correctly and without derating — units that output simulated or stepped sine wave under battery can trigger PFC supply shutdowns or shorten supply life.
• 93% Efficiency in Battery Operation: Double-conversion UPS designs carry an efficiency penalty versus line-interactive units, but 93% in battery mode is competitive at this power class. In utility (online) mode efficiency is typically higher. For a 16kW unit running 24/7, each percentage point of efficiency translates directly to operating cost and cooling load — know your facility's actual load factor before sizing.
• Wide Input Voltage Range (160–280V): Auto-sensing input handles facility voltage that would force lesser units onto battery, preserving battery cycle life and reducing wear. In environments with chronic voltage variation — older buildings, shared industrial feeds — this range means the SURT20KRMXLI rides through conditions that would exhaust a narrower-window unit's batteries in months.
• 40–70Hz Auto-Sensing Frequency: Accepts both 50Hz and 60Hz utility feeds without reconfiguration. Relevant for international deployments or facilities with generator backup that may not hold precise frequency under load.
• DB-9 RS-232 and RJ-45 10/100Base-T Management Interfaces: Serial and network management ports support remote monitoring and graceful OS shutdown via APC's PowerChute software or compatible SNMP-based tools. The network port enables integration with data center infrastructure management (DCIM) platforms — critical for facilities running unattended.
• 247.73 kg Installed Weight: Plan floor loading and deployment logistics carefully. At this weight, rackmount installation requires a minimum two-person crew and appropriate lifting equipment. Verify that the rack or floor location is rated for the load before positioning.

Integration and Compatibility

The SURT20KRMXLI connects to management systems via its RJ-45 10/100Base-T port, enabling SNMP-based monitoring through APC's Network Management Card ecosystem and compatible third-party DCIM platforms. The DB-9 RS-232 port supports direct serial connection for local management and legacy integrations. The wide input window (160–280V, 40–70Hz) makes it compatible with international facility standards without hardware modification. Downstream load compatibility is straightforward: the true sine wave output is safe for all active PFC, linear, and switch-mode power supplies. For deployments requiring extended runtime, APC's SURT external battery pack architecture supports runtime expansion — consult the SURT family compatibility matrix for approved battery enclosures.

Review the APC by Schneider Electric power protection line for complementary models in the SURT family, and consider pairing with managed rack PDUs for per-outlet metering downstream of the SURT20KRMXLI. For facilities planning their overall UPS infrastructure, matching the UPS runtime and capacity to your actual load profile is the single highest-ROI configuration decision. Integrators speccing full rack deployments should also review managed PoE switches and rack enclosures to ensure the complete power path is documented before commissioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the output power capacity of the SURT20KRMXLI?

A: The SURT20KRMXLI is rated at 20KVA / 16kW. At a typical server load power factor of 0.9, plan usable load capacity at 16kW rather than the full VA rating.

Q: What input voltage range does the SURT20KRMXLI support?

A: The unit accepts input voltages from 160V to 280V with auto-sensing frequency from 40Hz to 70Hz, making it compatible with both 50Hz and 60Hz utility feeds without reconfiguration.

Q: Does the SURT20KRMXLI output a true sine wave?

A: Yes. The SURT20KRMXLI delivers a true sine wave output under both utility and battery operation. This is required for compatibility with active PFC power supplies found in modern servers and storage equipment.

Q: What management interfaces are available on the SURT20KRMXLI?

A: The unit includes a DB-9 RS-232 serial port and an RJ-45 10/100Base-T network port. The network port supports SNMP-based remote monitoring and integration with APC's Network Management Card and compatible DCIM platforms.

Q: How much does the SURT20KRMXLI weigh, and are there special installation requirements?

A: The installed unit weighs 247.73 kg (approximately 546 lbs). Floor loading capacity and rack structural ratings must be verified before installation. A minimum two-person crew with appropriate lifting equipment is required for safe positioning.

Q: Can the SURT20KRMXLI runtime be extended with external battery packs?

A: The SURT product family supports external battery enclosures for runtime extension. Consult APC's SURT family compatibility documentation to identify approved external battery pack models for the SURT20KRMXLI.

James Everett

The SURT20KRMXLI sits at the weight class where power protection decisions get serious — 247.73 kg of online double-conversion UPS designed for facilities where a transfer-time gap is not an option. I deploy units in this family where the downstream load is a mix of active PFC servers and storage with no tolerance for the brief transfer blip you get from line-interactive topology. The 160–280V input window is the spec I point clients to first when they're in older buildings or shared industrial feeds: it buys significant battery cycle life by keeping the unit on utility through voltage excursions that a narrower-window design would absorb on battery.

Technical Highlights:

• 93% Battery-Mode Efficiency: At 16kW continuous draw, every percent of efficiency loss is roughly 160W dissipated as heat. 93% in battery operation is solid for online double-conversion at this power class — factor it into your cooling budget alongside UPS heat rejection.
• 115A Maximum Input Current: This is the spec that catches facilities off-guard. Confirm your dedicated circuit, breaker rating, and wire gauge before the unit ships — retrofitting a feed after delivery adds cost and schedule risk.
• RJ-45 10/100Base-T Management Port: SNMP-based remote monitoring means you can integrate the SURT20KRMXLI into your DCIM platform and receive graceful shutdown signals to OS-level agents. For unattended machine rooms this is the difference between a controlled shutdown and a hard crash on battery exhaustion.

Deployment Considerations:

• At 247.73 kg, verify that your raised floor tile rating and rack bay floor loading spec accommodate the unit BEFORE scheduling delivery — repositioning after placement is a significant labor cost.
• The SURT family supports external battery enclosures for runtime extension, but battery compatibility is model-specific. Confirm approved SURT external battery pack models against APC's published compatibility matrix before purchasing runtime extension hardware.

This unit belongs in a dedicated data center or critical infrastructure room with a properly rated dedicated feed and DCIM integration — not in a wiring closet or edge deployment where a smaller line-interactive unit would serve equally well at a fraction of the weight and cost.