The 1500VA UPS class is the most widely deployed UPS size in North America because it delivers the highest usable power on a standard 120V, 15A dedicated circuit—without requiring a 20A outlet or special wiring. This makes it the ideal UPS class for IT racks, network closets, retail POS systems, medical carts, AV/broadcast installations, and edge computing environments.

Xtreme Power offers the industry’s most complete lineup of 1500VA UPS systems, available in both cost-effective VRLA models and long-life Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) models with up to 15-year battery life.

J90-1.5kLi

Why 1500VA Matters

  • Maximum power from a standard 15A receptacle—no electrical upgrades required
  • Ideal watt output (900W–1450W) to support servers, firewalls, switches, and storage systems
  • Available in tower, rack/tower, and ultra-dense 1U rack configurations
  • Extended runtime options available on select models
  • Lithium Iron Phosphate battery models offer maintenance-free operation and lowest total cost of ownership

Why Watt Rating Matters More Than VA

The VA (volt-ampere) rating reflects the apparent power of a UPS, but the watt rating represents the actual usable power available to your equipment. For maximum system compatibility and performance, watt capacity is the most important factor.

UPS Class Typical Power Factor Usable Power (Watts) Efficiency Insight
Entry-Level UPS 0.60 PF 900W Supports only basic office and non-critical loads
Professional / Online UPS 0.90–0.97 PF 1350–1450W Delivers near-maximum usable power from a 15A circuit—ideal for IT and edge environments

Xtreme Power’s professional 1500VA UPS models deliver the highest usable watt capacity available on a standard 15A circuit—ideal for IT and edge infrastructure.

Xtreme Power 1500VA UPS Lineup – Side-by-Side Comparison

Model Usable Power (Watts / PF) Topology Battery Type Form Factor Positioning Ideal Applications
S71-1500 900W (0.6 PF) Line Interactive VRLA Tower Lowest-cost protection Small office, POS, non-critical loads
P80-1500 1350W (0.9 PF) Line Interactive VRLA 2U Rack/Tower Cost-effective; extended runtime available IT racks, branch networks, retail environments
T91-1500 1450W (~0.97 PF) Online Double-Conversion VRLA Tower Industrial-grade online protection; extended runtime capable Sensitive electronics, medical carts, industrial and mission-critical systems
P91-1500 1450W (~0.97 PF) Online Double-Conversion VRLA 2U Rack/Tower Online protection; extended runtime capable Edge computing, network closets, IT infrastructure
P91-1.5kLi 1450W (~0.97 PF) Online Double-Conversion Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) 2U Rack/Tower Up to 15-year battery life; 6-year warranty Enterprise, government, healthcare, long-life applications
J90-1500 1350W (0.9 PF) Online Double-Conversion Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) 1U Rack Up to 15-year lithium; individually controllable outlets; 6-year warranty Edge computing, broadcast/AV, high-density IT environments

Runtime Performance – 1500VA UPS Models

Runtime is critical in determining how long connected equipment can remain operational during a power loss. The chart below provides real measured runtimes across load levels.

Runtime Table (Minutes)

Model Capacity (W) 300W 600W 900W 1200W 1350W 1450W
S71-1500 900 11 3 1.5
P80-1500 1350 47 18 11 7 6
P91-1.5kLi 1350 47 22 14 10 8
J90-1500 1350 32 16 11 8 7
T91-1500 & P91-1500 1450 35 14 8 5 4 3

Extended Runtime Capability

The following models support external battery packs for long-duration applications: P80-1500, T91-1500 and P91-1500

Why Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Is the Future of UPS Technology

Lithium Iron Phosphate offers the most advanced energy storage for UPS systems, delivering superior performance and longevity compared to VRLA batteries.

Key Benefits:

  • Up to 15-year design life
  • 3,000–5,000 charge/discharge cycles
  • Operates up to 50 °C (122 °F)
  • Maintenance-free, no battery replacements required
  • Environmentally safe and thermally stable

Xtreme Power 1500VA Lithium Models:

Which 1500VA UPS Is Right for You?

Requirement Recommended Models Key Benefit
Lowest initial cost S71-1500 Essential protection
Rackmount value P80-1500 Extended runtime capability
Mission-critical tower T91-1500 True online isolation
Mission-critical rack P91-1500 Scalable online power protection
Longest battery life P91-1.5kLi Up to 15-year lithium battery
Maximum rack density J90-1500 1U lithium with outlet control

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What does 1500VA mean on a UPS?

A. 1500VA is a measure of the apparent power capacity of the UPS. However, the real usable power is determined by the watt rating (W), which reflects the actual power your equipment can use. Xtreme Power 1500VA UPS models provide between 1350W and 1450W, delivering the maximum usable power available from a standard 120V, 15A circuit.

Q. How many watts can a 1500VA UPS support?

A. It depends on the power factor of the UPS. Entry-level models support around 900W, while Xtreme Power professional and online models support 1350–1450W. The higher the watt rating, the more equipment you can protect without risking overloads.

Q. Do I need a special outlet for a 1500VA UPS?

A. No. All Xtreme Power 1500VA UPS models are designed to operate on a standard 120V, 15A dedicated circuit. You do not need any special wiring or a 20A receptacle.

Q. How long will a 1500VA UPS run?

A. Runtime varies by load and battery type. At a 600W load:

  • Basic VRLA models (S71) provide 3 minutes
  • Professional VRLA models (P80, T91, P91) typically provide 14–18 minutes
  • Lithium models (P91-1.5kLi, J90) provide 16–22 minutes
    Extended runtime models (P80, T91, P91) can be configured with additional battery packs to run for hours, depending on load.

Q. What is the difference between VRLA and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) UPS batteries?

A. See below

  • VRLA batteries provide low initial cost but require replacement every 3–5 years.
  • Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries offer up to 15-year life, withstand higher temperatures, support more discharge cycles, and require no maintenance or replacement—resulting in a lower total cost of ownership.

Q. Which 1500VA UPS is best for long-term reliability?

A. The P91-1.5kLi and J90-1500 are the best long-term investments. They feature Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries rated for up to 15 years with 3,000–5,000 cycles, eliminating the need for battery replacements.

Q. Do 1500VA UPS systems support extended battery packs?

A. Yes. The following models support extended runtime battery packs: P80-1500, T91-1500, P91-1500. These models can scale runtime significantly for applications requiring longer backup durations.

Q. What makes Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) safer than other lithium chemistries?

A. LFP is inherently stable, non-flammable, and does not experience thermal runaway. It is the safest lithium battery technology available for UPS applications and is approved for healthcare, government, and mission-critical environments.

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