I'm replacing unsupported tower UPS units in two server rooms. Each unit supplies single-phase 120/240 V power, and the current load is roughly 5 kW per room. I'd like around 30 minutes of runtime so the servers can shut down cleanly if the building generator fails to start. Most equipment uses 208/240 V, but some devices require 120 V outlets, so the replacement needs to support both through the appropriate PDUs or transformer. The sites are in southwest Michigan, and I'm also looking for reliable local companies that can provide installation, preventive maintenance, battery replacement, and emergency support. Which UPS manufacturers and configurations would be good starting points?
5 Answers
Eaton, APC, and Vertiv all have workable products, but local service quality matters as much as the brand. Ask each vendor for a site visit, a load and runtime calculation, battery replacement pricing, response-time guarantees, parts availability, network monitoring options, and references from nearby customers. Also confirm whether monitoring requires a subscription; some network cards provide normal SNMP/web monitoring without one, while other product lines charge for cloud features.
I’ve had good experiences with both Eaton and Vertiv, while APC experiences seem to vary by product line and support region. Whatever you choose, include external bypass or maintenance-bypass equipment where appropriate, replaceable battery modules, and a scheduled service visit at least annually. A local UPS specialist should be able to quote the UPS, battery cabinets, PDUs, bypass equipment, installation, and ongoing maintenance as one complete solution.
Thirty minutes can become very expensive at a 5 kW load. If the generator normally starts within a minute or two, a more practical design may be 10 minutes of UPS runtime plus automatic shutdown software and generator/UPS alerts. If the generator transfer process is slow or unreliable, then price the larger battery cabinets and compare the total installed cost rather than just the UPS chassis.
Don’t size this from the UPS VA label alone. Have a UPS contractor measure the real load, check startup and peak demands, confirm the available input voltage and amperage, and leave room for growth. At 5 kW, a single 5 kVA unit would be too close to its limit, especially once batteries age. A 6 kVA or 10 kVA system, or a modular unit with room for additional power modules, gives you a much healthier margin.
Eaton and Vertiv/Liebert would be my first choices. For a 5 kW load and that much runtime, look at something in the 6–10 kVA range with external battery cabinets, rather than a small tower unit. Vertiv GXT5 systems and Eaton 9PX or modular 9PXM systems are worth getting quoted. Make sure the output modules and PDUs provide the 120 V circuits your equipment needs; most of the server gear should stay on 208/240 V.
A rack-mounted unit at the bottom of the cabinet is usually easier to service than another tower. Just account for the weight, battery clearance, input breaker, and any electrician work in the quote.
If you can support the electrical design, two smaller UPS systems can provide better resilience than one large unit. Put each on its own circuit and distribute dual-corded equipment across both. That protects you from a UPS head-unit failure, not just a utility outage.