Li90 Series vs Vertiv VM-Class
The Xtreme Power Li90 Series and Vertiv VM-Class (Liebert EXS-V) are three-phase online double-conversion UPS for healthcare, industrial, commercial, and data-center facility infrastructure. The Li90 (10–30 kVA) is a lithium-integrated platform with internal modular runtime, higher efficiency, and a narrow, lighter cabinet; the Vertiv VM-Class (15–40 kVA) is a VRLA platform that reaches higher capacity and commonly uses external battery cabinets.
What the Li90 Series brings
- Lithium iron phosphate batteries, up to 15-year design life
- Internal modular runtime, no external cabinets required
- Higher online efficiency (up to 94.5% vs 93.4%)
- Narrow, high-density cabinet design
- Lighter installed system weight
Side-by-side specifications
| Specification | Xtreme Power Li90 Series | Vertiv VM-Class Series | Advantage / consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS architecture | Lithium-integrated compact standalone | Compact standalone three-phase | Both compact standalone |
| Capacity range | 10–30 kVA | 15–40 kVA | Vertiv reaches 40 kVA; Li90 starts at 10 |
| 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 |
| Runtime strategy | Integrated modular lithium | External cabinets commonly required | Li90 – internal modular |
| Online efficiency | Up to 94.5% | 93.4% | Li90 – higher efficiency |
| Cabinet footprint | Narrow high-density | Wider standalone | Li90 – higher density |
| Installed weight | Reduced (lithium) | Higher (VRLA) | Li90 – lighter |
| Retrofit alignment | Lifecycle replacement / right-sizing | Conventional replacement | Different positioning |
Specifications based on publicly available manufacturer documentation; confirm against current vendor data. The Vertiv VM-Class range extends above the Li90 Series (to 40 kVA).
Choosing between them
Within 10–30 kVA, the Li90 Series leads on lithium lifecycle, internal modular runtime, efficiency, footprint, and weight; the Vertiv VM-Class covers a wider capacity range (to 40 kVA) on an established VRLA platform. For specific capacities, see the model-level comparisons.
Choose the Li90 Series if you need
- Lithium iron phosphate lifecycle within 10-30 kVA
- Internal modular runtime without external cabinets
- Higher efficiency and a narrower, lighter cabinet
- A modernization / capacity right-sizing strategy
The Vertiv VM-Class may fit if you need
- Capacity above 30 kVA (up to 40 kVA)
- An established VRLA platform with enterprise history
- A conventional like-for-like replacement
Frequently asked questions
Both are three-phase online double-conversion UPS for facility infrastructure. The Li90 (10-30 kVA) is lithium-integrated (LFP) with internal modular runtime, higher efficiency, and a narrower, lighter cabinet; the Vertiv VM-Class (15-40 kVA) is a VRLA platform that reaches higher capacity and typically uses external battery cabinets.
The Vertiv VM-Class reaches higher, up to 40 kVA versus the Li90’s 30, and starts at 15 kVA versus the Li90’s 10. For loads above 30 kVA the VM-Class extends further; within 10 to 30 kVA the Li90’s lithium advantages apply.
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.
See the model-level pages: Li90-20k vs Vertiv EXSV-15kVA and 20kVA, and Li90-30k vs Vertiv EXSV-30kVA, which analyze runtime, footprint, and lifecycle at specific capacities.
Related comparisons
Planning 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.