Vertiv UPS

About Vertiv UPS

What is a Vertiv UPS?

Vertiv — known until 2016 as Emerson Network Power and still selling flagship UPS platforms under the Liebert brand — is the pedigree choice for data-centre and telecom power protection. The Liebert name traces back more than fifty years in precision-cooling and critical-power engineering, and the brand dominates in spaces where the load cannot tolerate any interruption: hospitals, 911 dispatch centres, financial trading floors, cellular base stations, and large colocation halls.

UPSPLUSBATTERY.CA stocks more than 200 Vertiv part numbers across the Liebert GXT, PSI, EXM, and APM families plus matching replacement batteries. For broader comparison across brands, see our UPS systems collection.

Vertiv Liebert UPS product families explained

Vertiv's single-phase and small three-phase catalog is organised around the Liebert brand, with model-number conventions that indicate topology and VA rating directly. The table below maps every current Liebert UPS family to the load it was built for.

For SMB buyers, the shortlist narrows to two families: PSI5 line-interactive for network closets and small server racks, and GXT5 double-conversion online for anything sensitive — medical, VoIP, industrial control, or edge compute where the 2–4 ms line-interactive transfer time is unacceptable. Enterprise and data-centre buyers move into the ITA2, APM2, and EXM platforms.

How to choose the right Vertiv UPS

Sizing: VA and wattage

Every Liebert UPS is rated in both VA and watts. Vertiv's current generation runs high power factors — PSI5 at 0.9, GXT5 at 0.9 on most models and unity PF on the 6–10 kVA tier. That means a GXT5-10000IRT3UXL delivers the full 10 kVA as 10 kW of real power, suitable for unity-PF loads like modern blade servers and GPU workstations.

Add up nameplate wattage, multiply by 1.25, and match to the UPS watt rating. Our UPS sizing guide walks through the method.

Topology: line-interactive vs double-conversion online

Line-interactive (PSI5): An automatic voltage regulator corrects brownouts and surges without touching the battery. Transfer time 2–4 ms. Suitable for standard server and network loads where the load tolerates brief transfer gaps.

Double-conversion online (GXT5, ITA2, EXM, NXC): The load runs permanently from the inverter, so transfer time is effectively zero and output voltage/frequency are fully regenerated. This is the required topology for medical equipment, VoIP PBX systems, precision lab gear, and all three-phase installations. The Liebert GXT series is considered the benchmark in the 1–20 kVA single-phase online category, with a feature set refined over two decades of data-centre deployment. Read line-interactive vs online UPS for the full decision framework.

Form factor: tower, rackmount, or convertible

Vertiv offers tower, 1U–6U rackmount, rack/tower convertible (most GXT5 and PSI5 units), and floor-standing cabinet (ITA2 6 kVA+, APM2, EXM, NXC). The 2U rack/tower convertible chassis is the most common choice for small server rooms — most GXT5 models up to 3 kVA ship in this format with rail kits included.

Vertiv Liebert UPS spec reference

The SKUs below cover the bulk of Canadian mid-market Liebert deployments across the PSI5 and GXT5 lines.

All models above ship with Vertiv Power Insight management software. GXT5 units include an IS-UNITY communications card slot; the Liebert IntelliSlot card is included on most current SKUs and sold separately on older units.

Replacement batteries for Vertiv UPS

Vertiv uses family-specific part numbers for replacement batteries rather than a flat sequential naming scheme. Every PSI5 and GXT5 ships with the battery part number printed on the unit label and in the user manual. Common cartridges include PSI5-1500RT120BAT (fits PSI5-1500RT120), GXT5-EBC72VRT2U (fits GXT5-1500IRT2UXL and GXT5-3000IRT2UXL), and GXT5-EBC192VRT3U (fits GXT5-6000IRT5UXL and GXT5-10KIRT3UXL).

Vertiv external battery cabinets (EBCs) snap onto GXT5 units to extend runtime — a GXT5-3000IRT2UXL plus one GXT5-EBC72VRT2U delivers roughly 30 minutes at full load versus 5 minutes stock. The GXT5 Lithium series integrates the lithium-ion battery internally with a 10-year service life. See our UPS replacement batteries collection for the full Vertiv matrix.

Installation, warranty and support

Every Vertiv UPS sold by UPSPLUSBATTERY.CA ships from a Canadian warehouse with full manufacturer warranty — typically two years on electronics and two years on battery for PSI5 and GXT5 SLA units, with the Vertiv LIFE service option extending coverage and adding remote diagnostics. GXT5 Lithium models carry a five-year standard warranty. Our team handles pre-sales sizing, RMA coordination, and post-installation commissioning questions.

For line-interactive and online UPS up to 3 kVA, the unit ships ready to plug in. For GXT5 6 kVA and above, hard-wire input is typically required and should be completed by a licensed electrician per CSA. Three-phase APM2, EXM, and NXC installations always require commissioning by a qualified Vertiv-authorised technician.

Frequently asked questions

Is Liebert the same as Vertiv?

Yes. Liebert is the product brand; Vertiv is the parent company. Vertiv spun off from Emerson Electric in 2016 with the Liebert, NetSure, and Trellis portfolios. All current UPS SKUs ship under the "Vertiv Liebert" naming. If you are specifying a replacement for a legacy Liebert GXT2 or GXT3 installed under the Emerson brand, the Vertiv GXT5 is the direct-replacement lineage.

What is the difference between PSI5 and GXT5?

PSI5 is line-interactive with 2–4 ms transfer time and AVR. GXT5 is double-conversion online: zero transfer time, fully regenerated output. GXT5 costs roughly 50–70% more per VA but is the required topology for medical, VoIP, precision lab gear, and critical edge compute. For standard server and network closets, PSI5 delivers the right protection at better economics.

How do I know what size Vertiv UPS I need?

Add up nameplate wattage, multiply by 1.25 for growth, and match the total to the UPS watt rating. A 1U server at 400 W plus switch at 80 W plus firewall at 40 W equals 520 W × 1.25 = 650 W — a PSI5-1500RT120 (1350 W) gives real headroom. Our UPS sizing guide walks through the method.

Vertiv vs APC — which is better for data centres?

For enterprise data-centre three-phase installations (50 kVA+), Vertiv Liebert is historically the specification of choice — the APM2 and EXM platforms have a deeper install base in colocation and enterprise halls than APC's Galaxy range. For single-phase rack deployments and mixed IT environments up to 20 kVA, APC Smart-UPS SRT and Vertiv GXT5 trade blows on features and price; APC wins on management-software ecosystem depth, Vertiv wins on engineering pedigree for true critical loads. Compare the APC Smart-UPS range alongside Liebert GXT5.

How long do Vertiv UPS batteries last?

Sealed lead-acid batteries in the PSI5 and standard GXT5 range last three to five years in a climate-controlled environment. Lithium-ion batteries in the GXT5 Lithium series are rated for ten years. High ambient temperature is the largest factor shortening life. Power Insight software and the front-panel LCD flag the battery once internal impedance crosses the threshold.

Can I replace Vertiv UPS batteries myself?

On every current PSI5 and GXT5 SLA model, the battery cartridge is user-replaceable and hot-swappable — you can swap it while the UPS continues to protect the load. Always use the Vertiv part number listed on the unit label, and reset the battery install date via the front panel. GXT5 Lithium units have integrated batteries with longer service life but require factory service for replacement.

Do Vertiv UPS units come with a warranty?

Yes. Every Vertiv UPS sold by UPSPLUSBATTERY.CA carries the full manufacturer warranty — two years electronics and battery on PSI5 and GXT5 SLA, five years on GXT5 Lithium. Extended coverage is available through Vertiv LIFE service contracts. Warranty is serviced by our Canadian team in coordination with Vertiv Canada.