Middle Atlantic 20A9 Outip Ctrl Power - RLNK-920R

Middle Atlantic RLNK-920R 9-Outlet 20A Rackmount PDU with Individual Outlet Control

The Middle Atlantic RLNK-920R is a 1U rackmount power distribution unit built for AV integrators, security system installers, and IT rack builders who need per-outlet switching control without stepping up to a full managed PDU. At 20 amps on a single NEMA 5-20P circuit, it handles the power distribution demands of a densely loaded equipment rack — NVRs, managed switches, access control panels, and ancillary gear — while giving you the ability to reboot individual devices remotely rather than cycling the entire rack. If you've ever had to physically pull a switch or recorder out of a rack to hard-reset it, the RLNK-920R addresses exactly that problem.

Key Features

• 9 Individually Controlled IEC Outlets: Each of the nine outlets can be switched on or off independently. In a security rack, this means you can remotely reboot a frozen NVR or access controller without disrupting the PoE switch powering live cameras — no physical access to the rack required. The outlet count covers a well-populated 1U/2U equipment rack without requiring a second PDU.
• 20A / NEMA 5-20P Input: The 5-20P plug draws up to 20 amps from a dedicated 20A branch circuit — the standard commercial power circuit used in server rooms, rack rooms, and AV equipment closets. Running at 80% of breaker capacity (16A usable), you have headroom for a full rack of mid-draw devices without nuisance trips.
• 9 ft (2.7 m) Power Cord: The 9-foot cord reaches from a floor-level PDU to overhead or wall-mounted power panels without extension cords or cable management headaches. For rack rooms where the power panel is across the aisle or on an adjacent wall, this length eliminates a common field improvisation.
• IEC Cable Type with Rack-Mount Form Factor: Standard IEC outlets (C13/C19-compatible depending on configuration) match the power connectors on virtually every commercial NVR, switch, server, and AV processor sold today. No adapters needed for standard rack equipment.
• Basic Surge Protection: Provides a baseline layer of surge suppression — appropriate for environments with stable utility power and upstream UPS protection. If your rack room has a UPS on the upstream feed, this handles the residual transient suppression at the outlet level. Not a substitute for a true UPS in environments with frequent power events.
• 1U Rack Profile (1.74 in H × 17.36 in W × 9.67 in D): At 1.74 inches tall, the RLNK-920R occupies exactly 1U of rack space — efficient in a fully populated rack where every unit of space has a cost. The 9.67-inch depth fits comfortably in shallow-depth wall enclosures and mid-depth rack cabinets without interfering with cable management panels.
• Powder Coat Finish: The steel chassis with powder coat finish is standard for commercial rack equipment — resists corrosion and abrasion in the dusty, temperature-variable environments typical of back-of-house security and AV closets.

Integration & Compatibility

The RLNK-920R is part of Middle Atlantic's RackLink Select PDU line, which integrates with the RackLink control ecosystem for network-based outlet management, energy monitoring, and scheduled switching. In a security integration context, it pairs naturally with rackmount PDUs and power accessories from the same ecosystem, allowing consistent power management across multiple racks on a single platform.

The NEMA 5-20P input is compatible with any standard 20A commercial branch circuit — the same circuit used by most commercial UPS units in the 1–3 kVA range. Pairing the RLNK-920R downstream of a rackmount UPS gives you both ride-through during power events and per-outlet reboot control during normal operations — a combination that covers the two most common field service scenarios: power outages and frozen devices.

For system integrators building out complete rack solutions, the RLNK-920R fits within Middle Atlantic rack enclosures and cabinets without requiring custom mounting hardware. The standard 19-inch rack width (17.36 in / 44.1 cm) mounts in any EIA-310-compliant enclosure.

Note: the RLNK-920R ships for domestic US deployment only and is not available for international orders. Verify your facility's branch circuit is 20A-rated and protected by a NEMA 5-20R receptacle before installation — the 5-20P plug will not seat in a standard 15A (5-15R) outlet. For rack power planning guidance, sizing the branch circuit correctly to 80% of breaker capacity is the starting point for any reliable rack power design.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What type of outlets does the RLNK-920R provide, and how many can I control independently?

A: The RLNK-920R has 9 IEC-type outlets. All 8 controllable outlets can be switched independently, allowing you to reboot or power-cycle individual devices without affecting others in the rack.

Q: What input plug does the RLNK-920R use, and what branch circuit do I need?

A: It uses a NEMA 5-20P plug, which requires a dedicated 20A branch circuit with a NEMA 5-20R receptacle. Standard 15A outlets will not accept this plug. Plan for 80% utilization (16A maximum continuous load) per NEC guidelines.

Q: Does the RLNK-920R include a UPS or battery backup?

A: No. The RLNK-920R provides basic surge protection only — it does not include battery backup. For ride-through during power outages, install it downstream of a compatible rackmount UPS.

Q: How long is the power cord, and will it reach a standard rack room power panel?

A: The cord is 9 ft (2.7 m) long, which reaches from a rack-mounted PDU to most wall-mounted or overhead power panels in standard equipment rooms without extension cords.

Q: Is the RLNK-920R available for international shipment?

A: No. The RLNK-920R is configured for North American power standards (NEMA 5-20P, 120V) and is not available for international orders.

Q: What rack space does the RLNK-920R occupy?

A: At 1.74 inches tall, the RLNK-920R occupies 1U of rack space. Its 9.67-inch depth fits in shallow wall-mount enclosures as well as standard mid-depth rack cabinets.

Marty Allison

The spec I come back to on the RLNK-920R is the 8-outlet independent control on a single 20A circuit — that's the operational difference between a managed PDU and a plain power strip, and it's the spec that pays for itself the first time you remotely reboot a frozen access controller at 2 AM without rolling a truck. If you're speccing racks for multi-site security deployments, the RLNK-920R (also searched as RLNK 920R) belongs in any rack where remote power cycling is a service expectation, not a luxury.

Technical Highlights:

• 20A NEMA 5-20P Input: Sized for commercial 20A dedicated circuits — standard in server rooms and AV equipment closets. At 80% NEC-compliant loading that's 16A of usable continuous capacity, enough for a fully populated security or AV rack.
• 9 ft Cord Length: 2.7 meters of reach eliminates the field improvisation of extension cords between a rack-mounted PDU and a wall panel — particularly relevant in wall-mount enclosure deployments where the panel is at floor or ceiling height.
• 1U × 9.67 in Depth Profile: The shallow 9.67-inch depth makes this viable in 12–18 inch depth wall-mount enclosures that a full-depth PDU won't fit — a real consideration in door or wall-mount security racks where depth is the binding constraint.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify the branch circuit terminates in a NEMA 5-20R receptacle before installation. The 5-20P plug is keyed differently than a 5-15P and will not seat in a standard 15A outlet — a mismatch that's caught at commissioning, not planning, if you don't spec it explicitly.
• Basic surge protection is not a UPS substitute. In any deployment where security systems must survive utility fluctuations (retail, outdoor kiosks, industrial), position a UPS upstream and use the RLNK-920R for outlet-level control downstream — not as the sole power protection device.

Best fit: multi-device security and AV racks in commercial facilities where remote outlet-level reboot capability is a managed services requirement — specifically any rack that a technician cannot reach within the same business day.