Li90 20kVA vs Vertiv VM-Class (EXSV-15KTN)
This compares a 20 kVA Li90 against a 15 kVA Vertiv VM-Class, a deliberate upsize during modernization that adds capacity headroom at the same facility load. At a 15 kW load the 20 kVA Li90 runs near 75% with room to grow, while the 15 kVA Vertiv VM runs fully loaded. Both are online double-conversion; the Li90 adds lithium lifecycle, internal modular runtime, higher efficiency, and a much narrower, lighter cabinet.
What the Li90-20k brings
- 20 kVA capacity vs 15 kVA – operational margin at the same load
- LiFePO₄ batteries, up to 15-year design life
- Higher online efficiency (94.5% vs 93.4%)
- Internal modular runtime, no external cabinets required
- Roughly half the cabinet width (12.6 vs 23.6 in)
- Far lighter (483 lb vs over 1200)
Side-by-side specifications
| Specification | Xtreme Power Li90-20k | Vertiv VM-Class (EXSV-15KTN) | Advantage / consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS architecture | Lithium-integrated compact standalone | Compact standalone three-phase | Both compact standalone |
| Rated capacity | 20 kVA / 20 kW | 15 kVA / 15 kW | Li90 – higher capacity (20 vs 15 kVA) |
| Loading at 15 kW facility load | 75% | 100% | Li90 – operational margin |
| Topology | Online double conversion | Online double conversion | Equivalent protection |
| Battery technology | Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) | VRLA (lead-acid) | Li90 – LFP lifecycle |
| Battery design life | Up to 15 years | 3–5 years typical | Li90 – longer life |
| Internal runtime at 15 kW | 20 min (2 modules) / 30 min (3 modules) | 18 min | Li90 – longer, scalable runtime |
| Runtime expansion | Internal modular lithium | External cabinets typically required | Li90 – internal modular expansion |
| Online efficiency | 94.5% | 93.4% | Li90 – higher efficiency |
| Cabinet width | 12.6 in | 23.6 in | Li90 – higher density (12.6 vs 23.6 in) |
| Installed weight | 483 lb | >1200 lb (config dependent) | Li90 – far lighter |
Specifications based on publicly available manufacturer documentation; confirm against current vendor data. This is a 20 kVA vs 15 kVA modernization upsize, not a same-capacity comparison.
Choosing between them
As a modernization upsize, the Li90-20k adds capacity headroom and brings lithium lifecycle, internal modular runtime, higher efficiency, and a much smaller, lighter cabinet; the 15 kVA Vertiv VM-Class fits like-for-like VRLA capacity replacement. Topology is equivalent.
Choose the Li90-20k if you need
- Capacity headroom during a 15 kVA replacement
- Lithium iron phosphate lifecycle (up to 15-year design life)
- Internal modular runtime without external cabinets
- Higher efficiency and a much smaller, lighter cabinet
The Vertiv VM-Class may fit if you need
- A like-for-like 15 kVA VRLA capacity replacement
- An established VRLA platform / existing Vertiv standard
- A conventional facility UPS replacement strategy
Frequently asked questions
This reflects a common modernization move: upsizing during replacement to add capacity headroom. At a 15 kW facility load the 20 kVA Li90 runs near 75% with margin for growth, while the 15 kVA Vertiv VM runs at 100%, fully loaded.
Yes, at the same 15 kW load: about 20 minutes on two battery modules or 30 on three, versus about 18 for the Vertiv VM. The Li90 scales runtime with internal lithium modules rather than external cabinets.
The Li90, at up to 94.5% online versus 93.4% for the Vertiv VM, which also means less heat and lower cooling load.
LFP batteries last far longer (up to 15 years vs roughly 3 to 8 for VRLA), tolerate higher temperatures, and cut replacement and maintenance over the system’s life. VRLA remains a lower up-front-cost, established option.
Related comparisons
Evaluating a three-phase UPS modernization?
Xtreme Power supports lithium retrofit feasibility, runtime and load-growth modeling, electrical-room planning, and lifecycle cost analysis for three-phase facility modernization.