Middle Atlantic UPX Expand Runtime Unit 2KVA - UPX-EXPANRUN-20

Middle Atlantic UPX-EXPANRUN-20 NEXSYS 2KVA Runtime Expansion Unit

The Middle Atlantic UPX-EXPANRUN-20 is a 2000VA rack-mount runtime expansion unit designed to extend the battery backup capacity of compatible NEXSYS UPS systems — a practical solution when your equipment room load requires more than the base UPS runtime can deliver. At 2RU and 70.1 lbs, this is dense battery hardware built for the rack, not a shelf afterthought. If your security head-end or AV rack needs longer ride-through during power events, the UPX-EXPANRUN-20 is the component to add before you start looking at larger standalone UPS units.

Overview

The Middle Atlantic power protection line addresses the practical reality that most security and AV racks are sized for normal operation, not for the 10- or 20-minute outage that brings a facility to a halt. The UPX-EXPANRUN-20 (often searched as UPX EXPANRUN 20) pairs with the base NEXSYS UPS chassis to push runtime out further without requiring a full UPS replacement. Line-interactive topology means it conditions incoming power continuously — not just when the grid drops — so connected equipment sees stable voltage during brownouts and sags, not just hard outages. The 48VDC internal bus architecture is what ties it to the NEXSYS ecosystem: this unit feeds battery energy into the parent UPS at 48V DC, so it is not a standalone UPS and cannot function independently.

Key Features

• 2000VA / Line-Interactive Topology: Line-interactive designs regulate voltage in both directions without switching to battery for every minor fluctuation — meaning the batteries inside this expansion unit aren't cycling unnecessarily during routine utility sags. That directly extends battery service life compared to standby designs that do nothing until the power fully drops.
• 48VDC Output Bus: The 48V DC interconnect is purpose-matched to the NEXSYS UPS platform. This is not a general-purpose battery pack — verify your base NEXSYS UPS model accepts this expansion unit before ordering. If it does, the integration is direct and requires no additional converters.
• 2RU, 19-Inch Rack Form Factor: Standard 19-inch width at 3.46 inches tall (2RU) fits into any rack UPS enclosure or open-frame rack with standard rails. The 22-inch depth is a real consideration — check your rack's usable depth before ordering. The unit requires between 28 and 36 inches of mounting depth, so shallow 4-post racks or two-post relay racks may not accommodate it.
• 70.1 lbs Shipping Weight: Battery hardware is heavy, and 70 lbs in a 2RU package means you need two people for installation and a rack that's rated for the cumulative load. Factor this into your rack weight budget before committing to a position in the rack — bottom-mounting heavy units is standard practice for stability.
• NEMA 5-15P Plug / NEMA 5-15R Receptacle: Ships with a standard 6-foot cord terminating in a NEMA 5-15P plug (standard 15A household/commercial three-prong) drawing up to 15 amps at 120 VAC. The NEMA 5-15R receptacle type on the unit itself is relevant if your installation uses pass-through or daisy-chain configurations — confirm your base UPS supports this before assuming it.
• Operating Temperature 32°–104°F (0°–40°C): Covers normal indoor equipment room conditions. If your rack is in an unconditioned space that swings above 104°F in summer — a common situation in outdoor cabinets or poorly ventilated closets — this unit is not rated for it. Battery chemistry degrades rapidly above the rated temperature ceiling.
• 4 Mounting Points: Four-point rack attachment distributes the 70-lb load more evenly than two-point mounting and reduces stress on the rails — relevant given the weight. Confirm your rack rails and cage nuts are rated for the load.
• FCC / RoHS Compliance: FCC listing covers radio frequency emissions, relevant in environments with sensitive RF equipment co-located in the same rack. RoHS compliance covers hazardous substance restrictions — relevant for power protection equipment deployed in EU markets or facilities with environmental compliance requirements. TAA compliance is explicitly listed as No — this unit does not qualify for federally funded projects requiring Trade Agreements Act compliance.

Integration and Compatibility

The UPX-EXPANRUN-20 is engineered as an expansion module for the Middle Atlantic NEXSYS UPS platform. The 48VDC internal bus architecture and the NEXSYS-specific interconnect mean compatibility is platform-specific, not universal. Before specifying this unit, confirm the base NEXSYS UPS model's expansion port accepts this runtime expansion unit and that the combined VA load of connected equipment falls within the base UPS's output rating. The expansion unit adds runtime — it does not add wattage capacity. The 120 VAC / 15A input circuit requirement is standard for most rack environments, but verify your PDU or in-rack circuit can supply a dedicated 15A feed for this unit. For integrators building out rack systems with extended runtime requirements, pairing this with the correct NEXSYS base unit avoids over-specifying a larger standalone UPS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the UPX-EXPANRUN-20 a standalone UPS or does it require a base NEXSYS unit?

A: The UPX-EXPANRUN-20 is a runtime expansion unit, not a standalone UPS. It operates via a 48VDC interconnect with a compatible Middle Atlantic NEXSYS UPS base unit. It cannot provide backup power independently.

Q: Is the UPX-EXPANRUN-20 TAA compliant for government or federally funded projects?

A: No. The UPX-EXPANRUN-20 is explicitly listed as TAA Non-Compliant and is not eligible for projects requiring Trade Agreements Act compliance.

Q: What is the battery warranty on the UPX-EXPANRUN-20?

A: The product evidence lists a 2-year battery warranty with a 3-year product warranty per the manufacturer's specification documentation.

Q: How deep does the rack need to be to install the UPX-EXPANRUN-20?

A: The UPX-EXPANRUN-20 requires a minimum mounting depth of 28 inches and a maximum of 36 inches. The unit itself is 22 inches deep. Verify your rack's usable mounting depth before ordering.

Q: What input power does the UPX-EXPANRUN-20 require?

A: The unit requires 120 VAC at up to 15 amps, using a NEMA 5-15P plug on a 6-foot cord. A dedicated 15A circuit is recommended.

Q: Can the UPX-EXPANRUN-20 be used in outdoor or unconditioned enclosures?

A: No. The operating temperature range is 32°–104°F (0°–40°C), which limits the unit to climate-controlled indoor environments. Outdoor or unconditioned spaces that exceed 104°F will void ratings and accelerate battery degradation.

Karl Wilson

The UPX-EXPANRUN-20 sits in a specific and narrow role: adding battery runtime to an existing NEXSYS UPS base unit when the as-shipped runtime isn't enough for the facility's hold-time requirements. At 70.1 lbs in a 2RU package, the weight discipline required here is real — I've seen racks loaded without accounting for battery expansion units tip the total rail load past spec. Plan the rack loadout before you order, not after.

Technical Highlights:

• Line-Interactive Topology: Conditions voltage continuously — not just on outage — which reduces unnecessary battery cycling during brownouts. This matters for runtime longevity: a standby design that switches to battery on every utility sag will wear cells faster in grid-challenged facilities.
• 48VDC Bus / NEXSYS Platform Lock: The 48V DC interconnect is not a standard interface. This unit only functions paired to a NEXSYS-platform base UPS. There is no workaround — don't spec it as a generic battery expansion for other UPS brands.
• 28–36 Inch Mounting Depth Requirement: The 22-inch unit depth plus cable management and interconnect clearance drives the 28-inch minimum. Many AV and security racks are 24 inches — verify before ordering. A rack that's 2 inches too shallow turns a 2RU expansion into a field problem.

Deployment Considerations:

• Four-point rack mounting is the right call given the 70-lb weight — use all four mounting points and confirm your rails are rated for cumulative rack weight with this unit installed, especially if batteries are already in adjacent slots.
• TAA Non-Compliant status is listed explicitly in the spec sheet — this is not a rounding issue. Any project under federal procurement rules or with TAA requirements must use a different unit. Flag this early in the quoting process.

This unit is the right call for a security operations center or large AV head-end rack where the base NEXSYS UPS runtime falls short of the facility's minimum hold-time spec — specifically in a climate-controlled equipment room with confirmed rack depth of 28 inches or greater.