Vertiv GXT5-20KMVRT11UXLN Online Double Conversion 20KVA/20KW Rack/Tower UPS
Overview
The Vertiv GXT5-20KMVRT11UXLN is a 20,000 VA / 20,000 W online double conversion UPS designed for data centers, server rooms, and critical infrastructure environments where zero transfer time to battery and tightly regulated output voltage are non-negotiable. Unlike line-interactive designs, double conversion topology keeps your load running off the inverter continuously — there is no switching event when utility power degrades, which matters for sensitive power distribution equipment, high-density compute, and storage systems that can't tolerate even a half-cycle voltage sag. The flexible rack/tower form factor fits 11U of rack space at 19.0 in tall × 16.9 in wide × 26.7 in deep, and it can also stand freestanding as a tower when rack space is constrained during initial buildout.
For procurement teams evaluating power and UPS systems in the Vertiv line, this unit sits at the 20KW three-phase-input / single-phase-output boundary — the right size for a mid-density server rack cluster, a dense network closet, or a distributed computing edge node. Consult a Vertiv UPS catalog overview for smaller or larger kVA options in the same GXT5 family.
Key Features
- 20,000 VA / 20,000 W at Unity Power Factor: Full kilowatt output matches the kVA rating — there is no derating penalty for loads with power factors near 1.0, which is common on modern server PSUs. You are not buying 20KVA and getting 16KW.
- Up to 98% Efficiency in Active ECO Mode: In lightly loaded environments or when utility power quality is consistently clean, ECO mode keeps the inverter on standby and passes conditioned utility power directly — cutting heat dissipation and reducing annual energy costs measurably. The 95% online mode efficiency is strong for a fully converting topology at this power class, relevant when cooling budget or PUE targets are tracked.
- Input Range 176–280VAC (Typical 208VAC): The wide input window means the UPS can ride through brown-downs and voltage swells without switching to battery unnecessarily — extending battery life and reducing wear on battery strings. On a 208VAC facility feed this is the native operating point; the extended range adds headroom for sites with marginal utility quality.
- User-Configurable 208/120VAC Output: Single unit serves both 208V three-wire loads (servers, PDUs, network gear) and 120V loads without a step-down transformer. Wiring flexibility matters in mixed-load environments where the UPS must serve both server PDUs and out-of-band management equipment on 120V circuits.
- Hardwired Input/Output with Optional PODs: The hardwired connection approach is standard for a 20KW unit — no IEC or NEMA plug at this power level. Optional Power Output Distribution (POD) modules let you add managed outlet banks downstream without replumbing the UPS itself, which is important for staged deployment or phased load additions.
- Factory Pre-Installed RDU101 SNMP/Webcard: Most UPS competitors at this tier ship the management card as a separately purchased option. The GXT5-20KMVRT11UXLN ships with the Vertiv RDU101 already installed — SNMP traps, web dashboard, and email alerting are active on first boot. Combined with RS485, RS232, USB, terminal block, and an EPO connector, every standard facility integration path is covered from day one.
- Full-Color LCD with Gravity-Sensing Orientation: The display auto-rotates based on whether the unit is rack-mounted or tower-oriented — a small but genuinely useful detail during commissioning. Status, load percentage, battery runtime, and input/output voltage are readable at a glance without connecting to the management card.
- ENERGY STAR 2.0 Certified, UL1778, c-UL, RoHS2, REACH: ENERGY STAR certification is relevant for federal procurement (EPEAT-adjacent requirements) and for facilities with sustainability reporting obligations. UL1778 listing is required by many data center operators and AHJs before commissioning; having it factory-certified avoids field inspection delays.
- Operating Temperature +32 to +104°F (0–40°C): Standard data center operating range. Note this is not an extended-temp hardened unit — for edge deployments in unconditioned environments above 40°C, verify ambient cooling before spec'ing this model.
Integration and Compatibility
The factory-installed RDU101 SNMP/Webcard enables out-of-the-box integration with most enterprise monitoring platforms — NMS systems that support standard SNMP MIBs can ingest UPS traps immediately. The RS485 port supports building management system (BMS) integration for facility-level power monitoring. The USB and RS232 ports cover direct server connection for graceful shutdown software (Vertiv's Liebert MultiLink or equivalent). The EPO (Emergency Power Off) terminal integrates into facility-level EPO circuits per NEC Article 645 data center requirements.
For environments running NVR-based video surveillance recorders or high-density PoE network switches, the 20KW output with configurable 208/120VAC is well-suited to mixed-voltage equipment rooms where both server-grade and lower-voltage network equipment share UPS protection. A UPS sizing and runtime planning guide is worth reviewing before finalizing load calculations for your specific equipment list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the input voltage and acceptable input range for the GXT5-20KMVRT11UXLN?
A: The typical input is 208VAC with an acceptable range of 176–280VAC. This wide window allows the UPS to condition incoming power through significant voltage swings without switching to battery.
Q: Does the GXT5-20KMVRT11UXLN ship with a network management card included?
A: Yes. The Vertiv RDU101 SNMP/Webcard is factory pre-installed, providing SNMP management, web interface, and serial out-of-band access with no additional purchase required.
Q: Can the GXT5-20KMVRT11UXLN output both 208V and 120V?
A: Yes. The output voltage is user-configurable for either 208VAC or 120VAC, making it usable in mixed-voltage equipment environments without additional step-down hardware.
Q: Is the GXT5-20KMVRT11UXLN rack-mountable, tower-mountable, or both?
A: Both. The flexible rack/tower form factor supports 11U rack installation or freestanding tower orientation. The LCD display uses gravity sensing to auto-rotate based on how the unit is oriented.
Q: What certifications does the GXT5-20KMVRT11UXLN carry?
A: The unit is ENERGY STAR 2.0 certified, UL1778 listed, c-UL listed, and complies with RoHS2 and REACH directives — covering US and Canadian safety requirements plus EU environmental compliance.
Q: What is the efficiency of the GXT5-20KMVRT11UXLN?
A: Up to 98% efficiency in Active ECO Mode when utility power quality allows, and up to 95% efficiency in standard online double conversion mode.
The spec I keep coming back to on the GXT5-20KMVRT11UXLN is the 98% ECO mode efficiency at a 20KW power class. At full load, the difference between 95% and 98% efficiency is 600W of continuous heat dissipation eliminated — that is real cooling load reduction in a dense rack environment, and it compounds over 8,760 hours of annual runtime. This unit earns its ENERGY STAR 2.0 rating with numbers, not just a logo.
Technical Highlights:
- Online Double Conversion Topology: The load is always running off the inverter — no transfer time, no voltage sag event on utility failure. For servers with tight PSU hold-up specifications, this is the only topology that eliminates the risk entirely. Line-interactive designs cannot match this.
- Factory RDU101 SNMP/Webcard: Arriving on-site and having SNMP traps and web monitoring active within 15 minutes of commissioning is a real time saver. The RS485 port for BMS integration and the dedicated EPO terminal are both present without ordering accessories — the 20KW class should ship this way, and it does here.
- 176–280VAC Input Window: A 104VAC input tolerance range at 208V nominal is wide enough to cover most marginal utility feeds without prematurely pulling down the battery string. Battery life in commercial deployments is heavily influenced by how often the unit unnecessarily transfers to battery — this range helps keep those events rare.
Deployment Considerations:
- The hardwired input/output requires a licensed electrician and conduit pull — budget for this in your installation scope. The optional POD (Power Output Distribution) modules are worth pricing at the same time if your load list includes varied outlet types; retrofitting distribution after the fact adds labor.
- At 396.6 lbs, floor load and rack weight capacity must be verified before installation. An 11U unit at this weight is at the upper end of what most standard two-post open racks handle — confirm with your rack manufacturer's rated capacity, and plan for a minimum two-person lift or mechanical assist.
The GXT5-20KMVRT11UXLN is purpose-built for mid-density data center rows, centralized network equipment rooms, or critical edge compute nodes where 208VAC input infrastructure is already in place, SNMP monitoring is a day-one requirement, and the facility team needs UL1778 listing documentation on file before the AHJ signs off.
