SurgeX SX-1120-RT 8-Outlet Rackmount Surge Suppressor - Power Conditioner

Product Overview

The SurgeX SX-1120-RT is a 1U rack-mount, 20-amp power conditioner and surge suppressor with remote turn-on capability, designed for commercial AV system integration in conference rooms, boardrooms, and broadcast facilities. As a leading rackmount power conditioner with remote turn-on, the SX-1120-RT provides eight rear-panel outlets, Advanced Series Mode surge elimination, and comprehensive power conditioning in a compact form factor that integrates directly with Crestron, AMX, and Extron control systems. It meets the federal government Grade A, Class 1, Mode 1 standard (CIDA-A-55818), making it a specification-grade choice for government and institutional AV deployments.

Product Description

The SX-1120-RT delivers 20 amps at 120V through eight rear-panel grounded receptacles — six switched and two always-on — plus a front-panel courtesy outlet for local access during installation or service. The remote turn-on input accepts 5 to 30V DC, allowing the unit to be powered on and off directly from a control system without requiring a separate relay module or PDU controller.

SurgeX Advanced Series Mode technology provides zero let-through voltage on surge events up to 6,000 volts and unlimited surge current capacity. Unlike MOV-based designs that divert surge energy to ground and degrade over time, Advanced Series Mode absorbs surge energy within the protection circuitry, producing no ground contamination and no common-mode disturbances. This approach is particularly important in AV installations where ground noise can manifest as audible hum or interference in audio signal paths.

The unit features advanced Impedance Tolerant EMI/RFI filtering circuitry that delivers greater than 40 dB of normal-mode attenuation at 100 kHz, reaching 50 dB at 300 kHz and above. This level of filtering addresses the broadband noise introduced by switching power supplies, LED drivers, dimmer circuits, and HVAC motor loads commonly found in commercial building electrical systems. For common-mode noise, attenuation reaches 50 dB at 5 MHz.

COUVS (Catastrophic Over/Under-Voltage Shutdown) circuitry monitors line voltage continuously and shuts down the switched outlets if voltage falls below 90V or rises above 145V, protecting connected AV equipment from brownout conditions and line fault events. The unit also incorporates SurgeX ICE (Inrush Current Elimination) technology, which manages inrush current at power-up to prevent nuisance breaker trips and reduce stress on equipment power supplies in multi-device rack installations. A self-test circuit with a front-panel visual indicator confirms protection status at a glance.

Key Features

• Remote Turn-On Input — Accepts 5–30V DC for direct integration with Crestron, AMX, Extron, and other AV control systems; eliminates the need for a separate switching relay.
• Advanced Series Mode Surge Elimination — Zero let-through voltage on surges up to 6,000V with unlimited current handling; no ground contamination or common-mode disturbances introduced.
• 8 Rear-Panel Outlets — Six switched and two always-on receptacles plus a front-panel courtesy outlet for in-rack access during installation and service.
• Impedance Tolerant EMI/RFI Filtering — Greater than 40 dB normal-mode attenuation at 100 kHz; reduces broadband noise from switching supplies and dimmer circuits in commercial electrical environments.
• COUVS Over/Under-Voltage Shutdown — Shuts down switched outlets when line voltage falls below 90V or exceeds 145V to protect AV equipment from brownout and overvoltage damage.
• ICE Inrush Current Elimination — Actively manages inrush current at power-up, preventing circuit breaker trips and reducing capacitive stress on equipment power supply inputs.
• UL 1449 A-1-1 Rating — Tested to 1,000 surges at 6,000V / 3,000A with 170V measured suppressed voltage and zero failures; meets the highest UL 1449 Adjunct Endurance classification.
• Self-Test Circuit with Visual Indicator — Front-panel LED confirms active protection status; alerts when the unit requires service attention.
• 20-Amp Load Rating — Supports the full current capacity of a dedicated 20-amp commercial branch circuit, suitable for fully populated AV racks.
• Magnetic Shielding Steel Enclosure — Reduces EMI radiation from the power distribution unit into adjacent audio and video equipment in the rack.

Typical Applications

• Conference room
• Boardroom
• Broadcast studio
• Auditorium
• Training room
• Government space
• Multi-purpose room
• House of worship

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the SX-1120-RT and the SX-1115-RT?

The SX-1120-RT is rated at 20 amps and the SX-1115-RT is rated at 15 amps. Both share the same outlet configuration, EMI/RFI filtering, surge elimination technology, and remote turn-on capability. The 20-amp model is appropriate for fully loaded AV racks on dedicated 20-amp branch circuits; the 15-amp model suits lighter loads on standard 15-amp circuits.

How does the remote turn-on input work with a Crestron or AMX system?

The remote turn-on input accepts 5 to 30V DC or a dry contact closure. A relay output on a Crestron or AMX control processor can switch this input directly, allowing the control system to power the entire rack on or off as part of a room preset or scheduled event.

What does zero let-through voltage mean in practice?

Zero let-through voltage means that during a surge event, no measurable overvoltage is passed through to the connected equipment. The SX-1120-RT was tested to 1,000 surges at 6,000V / 3,000A with a measured suppressed voltage of 170V and zero failures, confirming the Advanced Series Mode technology consistently prevents surge energy from reaching connected devices.

How does COUVS protect AV equipment from brownouts?

COUVS monitors line voltage in real time. If the voltage drops below 90V (indicative of a brownout) or rises above 145V (indicative of an overvoltage event or line fault), the unit immediately shuts down the six switched outlets. Once line voltage returns to a safe range, the outlets restore power automatically without manual intervention.

Does the SX-1120-RT eliminate the need for a separate power sequencer?

The SX-1120-RT includes remote turn-on capability but does not provide time-delayed sequential switching between outlet banks. For installations requiring ordered power-up across multiple device groups, the SurgeX SEQ or SEQ-1U should be used instead, or paired with the SX-1120-RT for protection and sequencing in combination.

Is the SX-1120-RT appropriate for government facility installations?

Yes. The unit meets Grade A, Class 1, Mode 1 federal specifications under CIDA-A-55818, which are the most stringent government purchase requirements for branch circuit surge suppressors, and carries ETL listing to UL 1449-2.

What does the self-test circuit do?

The self-test circuit continuously verifies that the Advanced Series Mode protection components are functioning. The front-panel visual indicator reflects the result; if protection is compromised, the indicator alerts the technician so the unit can be serviced before the installation is left unprotected.