Middle Atlantic 6 OUT Sequenced 20A Power - PDS-620R

Middle Atlantic PDS-620R Rackmount Power Sequencer

The Middle Atlantic PDS-620R is a 1U rackmount power sequencer delivering 20A across six NEMA 5-20R outlets with a six-step sequential startup — built for AV, security, and IT racks where powering everything simultaneously risks tripping breakers or browning out sensitive electronics. If you've ever had a full rack come up after a power event and watched a breaker pop under the inrush load, the PDS-620R is the direct answer to that problem.

Overview

Rack integrators running multi-device security or AV systems know the headache of simultaneous power-on: NVRs, switches, UPS units, and amplifiers all pulling startup current at once. The Middle Atlantic power distribution PDS-620R sequences each of its six outlets through a distinct step, spreading that inrush load across time. The result is a controlled, predictable startup that protects both the devices and the facility's circuit infrastructure. Mounted in a standard EIA 19-inch rack at just 1U of rack space, it integrates cleanly into any rackmount power distribution layout without consuming premium rack real estate.

Key Features

• 6-Step Sequential Power-On: Each of the six NEMA 5-20R outlets powers up in sequence rather than simultaneously. This eliminates the inrush current spike that trips breakers on large racks — particularly important when your load includes NVRs with spinning drives, large PoE switches, and amplifiers all competing for startup current at once.
• 20A Circuit Rating with NEMA 5-20P Input: The 20A input and matching 20A circuit breaker give you the full capacity of a dedicated 20A branch circuit. That's meaningful headroom over the 15A outlets found on basic PDUs — if your rack is running a high-channel NVR, multiple managed switches, and active recording storage, that extra amperage matters at load peaks.
• Six NEMA 5-20R Outlets: Standard NEMA 5-20R receptacles accept both 5-15P and 5-20P plugs, so virtually every rack device you're likely to install connects without adapters. Six outlets cover the typical security rack layout: NVR, PoE switch, patch panel power, UPS bypass, monitor, and a spare or auxiliary device.
• 1U Rack Form Factor — 19 x 1.8 x 9.8 in: At one rack unit, the PDS-620R conserves vertical space in equipment racks where every U counts. The EIA 19-inch compliant chassis drops into any standard rack or cabinet without modification. Adjustable depth from 6 to 20 inches accommodates shallow wall-mount enclosures through full-depth server racks.
• Adjustable Depth (6–20 Inches): The mounting depth adjusts across a 6-to-20-inch range — a practical feature when you're fitting the unit into a shallow rack enclosure or a non-standard depth cabinet. This is the detail that prevents a frustrating discovery mid-installation that your PDU physically doesn't fit the rack.
• 16-Gauge Steel Construction: The steel chassis is built to rack-mount equipment standards — resistant to flex and deformation under load. In a wall-mount or mobile rack that sees vibration or repeated repositioning, 16-gauge steel holds alignment and protects internal wiring over the long term.
• 20A Thermal Circuit Breaker: The onboard breaker protects the unit and the connected devices from overload without requiring a separate external protection device. It also gives you a manual reset point — useful during service or when diagnosing a load fault on one device without disturbing the rest of the rack.
• 115 VAC / 60 Hz Input — North American Mains: Designed for North American electrical infrastructure. If your deployment is outside the US or Canada, or involves international-spec equipment, verify input compatibility before specifying — there is no auto-ranging or dual-voltage option indicated for this model.

Integration & Compatibility

The PDS-620R is part of the Middle Atlantic PDS Series of rackmount sequencing power products. It fits any EIA 19-inch compliant rack or cabinet, making it straightforward to pair with Middle Atlantic rack enclosures, open-frame racks, or third-party cabinetry. The NEMA 5-20R outlets are universally compatible with standard North American rack equipment. For larger deployments needing additional outlets or higher-amperage distribution, the PDS Series includes companion models with different outlet counts and current ratings — the PDS-620R is specifically sized for the six-device, 20A single-circuit use case.

In security rack builds, the PDS-620R pairs naturally with PoE switches, NVR appliances, and access control panels where controlled startup sequencing reduces nuisance tripping. It does not provide surge suppression or UPS functionality — for those capabilities, plan a separate UPS on the input side and treat the PDS-620R as the distribution and sequencing layer downstream.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What type of outlets does the PDS-620R have, and what plugs are compatible?

A: The PDS-620R has six NEMA 5-20R outlets. These accept both NEMA 5-20P plugs (20A devices) and NEMA 5-15P plugs (standard 15A devices), so virtually all North American rack equipment connects without adapters.

Q: How does the 6-step power sequencing work on the PDS-620R?

A: The unit powers each of its six outlets in a separate sequential step rather than energizing all outlets simultaneously. This staggers the inrush current load across time, preventing the breaker trips and voltage drops that occur when high-draw devices all start up at the same instant.

Q: What rack depth range does the PDS-620R support?

A: The PDS-620R supports adjustable mounting depth from 6 to 20 inches, making it compatible with shallow wall-mount enclosures as well as full-depth server-style racks.

Q: Does the PDS-620R include surge protection or UPS functionality?

A: No. The PDS-620R provides power sequencing and distribution with a 20A circuit breaker for overload protection. It does not include surge suppression or battery backup. For those functions, install a UPS on the input circuit upstream of the PDS-620R.

Q: Is the PDS-620R compatible with international voltages?

A: No. The PDS-620R is rated for 115 VAC / 60 Hz — standard North American mains. It is not rated for 230V or 50 Hz international electrical systems.

Q: How much rack space does the PDS-620R require?

A: The PDS-620R occupies 1U (1.75 inches) of vertical rack space in a standard EIA 19-inch rack, with an overall chassis size of 19 x 1.8 x 9.8 inches (W x H x D).

Marty Allison

The spec that earns the PDS-620R its place in a security rack build is the 6-step sequencing across a 20A circuit — that combination is what separates it from a basic strip PDU when you're commissioning a rack with an NVR, a managed PoE switch, access control hardware, and active storage all sharing one branch circuit. I specify the PDS-620R when a client's rack load is close enough to the circuit's 20A rating that simultaneous startup inrush becomes a real risk rather than a theoretical one.

Technical Highlights:

• 6-Step Sequential Outlets: Six discrete sequencing steps across the outlet set means each device's startup current spike is isolated in time — on a 20A circuit running near capacity, this is often the difference between a clean startup and a nuisance trip that sends a technician back to the site.
• 20A Circuit Breaker: The onboard 20A breaker matches the input rating and provides a local reset point. During commissioning or a load fault, you can isolate the rack at the PDU rather than hunting for the panel — a small but real time saver in ceiling-mounted or hard-to-access rack locations.
• Adjustable Depth 6–20 Inches: The depth range covers shallow AV enclosures (as tight as 6 inches) through full-depth rack cabinets — a single SKU handles the range of enclosures you're likely to encounter across different installation sites without ordering a project-specific unit.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 16-gauge steel chassis and EIA 19-inch compliance mean the PDS-620R drops into any standard rack without fitment issues, but verify the specific cabinet's usable depth against the 9.8-inch depth of the unit itself before ordering for very shallow enclosures at the low end of the adjustment range.
• The PDS-620R has no surge suppression — if the facility's electrical infrastructure is prone to transients or the equipment is sensitive (high-channel NVRs, network storage), budget for a UPS with surge suppression on the input side. The PDS-620R handles sequencing and distribution; upstream protection is a separate design decision.

For a mid-size physical security rack — NVR, managed PoE switch, access control panel, and auxiliary devices on a single 20A dedicated circuit — the PDS-620R (sometimes searched as PDS 620R) is a straightforward specification: right outlet count, right current rating, controlled startup, no wasted rack space.