Vertiv CPQ-1081853-14 1000VA Online Double-Conversion UPS

Overview

The Vertiv CPQ-1081853-14 is a 1000VA / 1000W on-line double-conversion UPS built for rack or tower deployment where power quality and runtime predictability matter more than purchase price. Double-conversion topology means every watt delivered to your connected equipment passes through the inverter continuously — input power anomalies, sags, swells, and frequency deviations are isolated completely, not just transferred around. If you're protecting network switches, NVRs, or other always-on infrastructure that can't tolerate even a millisecond of transfer time, the fully on-line architecture here is the correct starting point.

The unit accepts input from a standard NEMA 5-15P plug across a 60–150V range and delivers regulated 110/115/120/125VAC output (user-configurable, ±3%) across six NEMA 5-15R receptacles. Four of those receptacles are individually programmable — useful for sequencing equipment startup, shedding non-critical loads during a runtime event, or cycling a hung device without touching the rest of the protected circuit. The remaining two receptacles are always-on. This kind of load-level control is rarely found at the 1000VA class.

Key Features

• On-Line Double-Conversion Topology: Unlike line-interactive or standby designs that switch to battery only during an outage, this UPS regenerates output continuously from its inverter. Connected equipment never sees raw utility power — no transfer gap, no waveform artifacts, no frequency excursions making it through. For UPS-protected security infrastructure running sensitive NVR hardware or PoE switch stacks, this is the difference between a conditioned power environment and a gambling strategy.
• Up to 98% Efficiency in Active ECO Mode: Standard on-line operation runs at up to 95% efficiency — respectable for the topology. ECO mode pushes that to 98%, meaningfully reducing heat output and operating cost in deployments where utility power is clean enough to allow bypass-with-monitoring. The efficiency delta matters in 24/7 rack environments where electricity cost compounds over months.
• Four Individually Programmable Outlets: The six 5-15R receptacles aren't interchangeable — four support individual scheduling and load-shedding commands, two are non-programmable always-on. This lets you prioritize which loads get runtime first and which get shed if battery capacity drops below a threshold. A practical example: keep your core switch and NVR always protected; allow IP camera PoE injectors to shed first during an extended outage to extend runtime on critical recording infrastructure.
• Colored Graphic LCD with Gravity-Sensing Orientation: The control panel display re-orients automatically whether the unit is racked horizontally or standing vertically — so the status readout is always right-side-up without reconfiguring anything. Real-time UPS status, load percentage, battery charge, and fault information are visible without connecting a management interface.
• IntelliSlot RDU120 Communications Card Support: The optional Vertiv Liebert IntelliSlot RDU120 card adds full SNMP and web-based management — turning a standalone UPS into a network-visible power node. Without the card, you still get USB, RS485, RS232, terminal block, and external battery connector interfaces, covering serial out-of-band management from a local console or a connected environmental monitoring system.
• Flexible Rack/Tower Form Factor: The compact chassis installs in a standard rack or stands as a tower — straightforward for deployments where rack space is contested or where the UPS needs to sit beside rather than inside a cabinet. No conversion kit listed in evidence; verify orientation hardware before ordering if rack installation is required.
• ENERGY STAR 2.0 Certified, UL 1778 4th Edition Listed: ENERGY STAR 2.0 certification validates the efficiency claims against a third-party standard. UL 1778 4th edition and CSA 22.2 No. 107.1 listings mean the unit has passed North American safety testing for UPS equipment — relevant for installations where AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) approval or insurance requirements mandate listed equipment. RoHS2 and REACH compliance covers EU material restrictions for international deployments.
• 60–150V Input Range: The wide input voltage window (nominal 120V, range 60–150V) gives the unit tolerance for under-voltage conditions common in aging electrical infrastructure before it transfers to battery. Useful in facilities where voltage sags are frequent — the UPS can ride through sags that would force a narrower-window design onto battery, extending effective battery life over time.

Integration and Compatibility

The CPQ-1081853-14 (often searched as CPQ 1081853 14) integrates into managed power environments through the optional Liebert IntelliSlot RDU120 card, which enables SNMP v1/v2c/v3 and HTTP/HTTPS web management. Without the card, serial connectivity (USB, RS232, RS485) supports integration with software agents on a connected server or via terminal block wiring to a building management system. The external battery connector enables runtime extension through compatible external battery packs — verify Vertiv's compatibility list for the specific battery module before specifying.

For power distribution and conditioning in surveillance or IT closets, pair with a managed PoE switch downstream and confirm total connected load stays within the 1000W output rating — a 1000VA / 1000W unit at 120V draws a maximum of approximately 8.3A, fitting comfortably within a standard 15A branch circuit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the UPS topology of the CPQ-1081853-14, and why does it matter?

A: The CPQ-1081853-14 uses on-line double-conversion topology. This means output power is generated continuously from the inverter — connected equipment is fully isolated from utility power at all times. There is no transfer time when utility power fails. This is the correct choice for sensitive electronics that cannot tolerate even a brief interruption or power conditioning issues from the utility feed.

Q: What receptacles are included, and can they be controlled individually?

A: The unit provides six NEMA 5-15R output receptacles. Four of these are individually programmable — they can be scheduled, load-shed, or outlet-cycled independently. The remaining two are non-programmable always-on outlets. This allows load prioritization during battery events without affecting the full protected circuit.

Q: Does the CPQ-1081853-14 support SNMP management?

A: SNMP and web management require the optional Vertiv Liebert IntelliSlot RDU120 communications card, which is not included with the base unit. Without that card, the unit supports USB, RS485, RS232, and terminal block connectivity for out-of-band serial management.

Q: Can the CPQ-1081853-14 be used in both rack and tower configurations?

A: Yes. The unit is described as a compact rack/tower form factor. The graphic LCD display includes gravity-sensing orientation, so the readout remains correctly oriented in either installation position. Confirm that appropriate rack-mounting hardware is included or available before installation.

Q: What certifications does the CPQ-1081853-14 carry?

A: The unit is ENERGY STAR 2.0 certified, UL 1778 4th edition listed, CSA 22.2 No. 107.1 listed, and compliant with WEEE, RoHS2, and REACH requirements. These listings support AHJ approval in North American installations and EU material compliance for international deployments.

Q: What is the input power requirement for the CPQ-1081853-14?

A: The unit uses a NEMA 5-15P input plug operating at nominal 120V with a 60–150V input range. It draws from a standard 15A branch circuit. The 1000W output capacity equates to approximately 8.3A at 120V — plan branch circuit loading accordingly if multiple UPS units are on the same circuit.

Marty Allison

The CPQ-1081853-14 sits in an interesting spot in the Vertiv lineup — it's a true on-line double-conversion unit at 1000VA/1000W, which is a topology you don't always see at this capacity class. Most 1000VA units ship as line-interactive, which means a transfer gap exists. If you're protecting an NVR, a managed switch, or any recording infrastructure where a missed frame during a utility event is a problem, that distinction is worth the price delta over a line-interactive alternative.

Technical Highlights:

• 98% Efficiency in ECO Mode: The jump from 95% (on-line mode) to 98% (ECO mode) may sound small, but in a 24/7 deployment at 1000W load, it translates to measurable annual electricity savings and reduced rack heat — both factors in dense closet environments where thermal headroom is already tight.
• Four Programmable Outlets: The ability to individually control four of the six 5-15R receptacles gives you load-shed sequencing that most 1U UPS units don't offer. In a surveillance closet, that means you can define priority: NVR stays powered longest; PoE injectors for non-critical cameras shed first when runtime depletes.
• 60–150V Input Range: A 90V input window absorbs the kind of utility under-voltage that trips up narrower-spec units. In older commercial buildings or facilities with heavy motor loads on the same feed, this tolerance reduces unnecessary battery cycling — which directly extends battery service life.

Deployment Considerations:

• SNMP and web management are not available out of the box — the Liebert IntelliSlot RDU120 card must be specified separately if remote monitoring or integration into a DCIM or BMS platform is required. Budget and procurement time for that card if managed power visibility is part of the project scope.
• At 1000W / 1000VA, this unit is sized for a single equipment rack's critical load, not a full rack at capacity. Audit connected load carefully before deployment — a fully loaded 24-port PoE switch alone can approach 400–600W depending on the switch model, leaving limited headroom for additional protected devices.

This UPS is well-matched for surveillance head-end closets, small IT rooms, or edge locations where on-line power conditioning is non-negotiable but the load profile fits within a single 15A circuit — think single-NVR installations with a core switch and a handful of ancillary devices, not multi-rack deployments.