APC by Schneider Electric AP7802B Metered Rack PDU 2U 30A 120V 16-Outlet
Overview
The APC by Schneider Electric AP7802B is a 2U rack-mounted metered power distribution unit designed for data centers, server rooms, and high-density rack deployments where knowing exactly how much current you're drawing is not optional. With a 30A NEMA L5-30P input and 16 NEMA 5-20R outlets spread across a single phase, the AP7802B gives rack engineers visibility into load without the overhead of managed switching. If you're running IP cameras, NVRs, PoE switches, or mixed IT gear in a rack and need to avoid tripping breakers at 2 a.m., this is the PDU to look at — metered, not guessed.
Browse the full APC by Schneider Electric catalog for compatible UPS systems, rack enclosures, and power accessories that pair with this unit.
Key Features
- 30A Input / 24A Usable Load: The NEMA L5-30P input handles up to 30A from the panel, but the AP7802B enforces a 24A maximum continuous draw per phase — the standard 80% derate rule built in. This means you can load up to 2,880 VA confidently without risking nuisance tripping or thermal stress on the input circuit. Size your breaker and upstream UPS to 30A accordingly.
- 16 NEMA 5-20R Outlets: Sixteen standard 20A receptacles give you dense coverage for 1U and 2U devices. NEMA 5-20R accepts both 5-15P and 5-20P plugs, so standard server, switch, and NVR power cords plug in without adapters. In a fully loaded security rack with eight IP cameras, a recorder, and two PoE switches, sixteen outlets is enough to avoid daisy-chaining strips.
- Real-Time Current Metering: The onboard current meter lets you read actual amperage draw at the PDU level — no guessing, no spreadsheet math. Alarm LED indicators flag overload conditions before you hit the breaker. For environments where racks are added over time (phased camera deployments, expanding NVR capacity), live load visibility prevents accidental overloads during expansion.
- Alarm LED for Overload Awareness: The dedicated alarm indicator lights before you lose power. In a dark rack room or remote IDF closet, a visual indicator is faster than logging into a management interface. Pair this with upstream UPS monitoring for a complete power-health picture on your rack power distribution stack.
- 2U Form Factor — Dense Without Wasting Space: Two rack units is the standard footprint for a full-featured PDU. The AP7802B fits standard 19-inch racks without modification. Mounting horizontally keeps vertical space available for active equipment and maintains organized cable routing from the rear of the rack.
- 100–120V / 50–60Hz Input Range: Operates on standard North American 120V circuits at both 50Hz and 60Hz, making it straightforward to deploy in facilities using either frequency — useful in mixed or imported equipment environments without needing a separate transformer or frequency converter.
- 3.66m (12 ft) Input Cable: The included 3.66-meter input cord reaches a floor-mounted UPS or wall-mounted breaker panel without extension cables. In tall relay racks or two-post open-frame configurations, cable length is often an afterthought until you're mid-install — this length covers the vast majority of standard rack-to-panel distances.
- RoHS Compliant: The AP7802B carries RoHS compliance, relevant for deployments in jurisdictions with electronics environmental regulations or for enterprise procurement teams with sustainability requirements in their vendor qualification criteria.
Integration and Compatibility
The AP7802B fits any standard 19-inch rack and works with any upstream 30A circuit protected by a NEMA L5-30P receptacle. It is compatible with APC Smart-UPS and Symmetra UPS systems equipped with L5-30R output connections, making it a straightforward downstream extension of an existing APC uninterruptible power supply stack. The 16 NEMA 5-20R outlets are compatible with the power cords shipped with most commercial NVRs, managed switches, and rack-mount servers — no special adapters required for standard equipment. For security integrators building out network video recorder racks with multiple PoE switches and recording appliances, the AP7802B's outlet count and metering capability handle mixed loads without a managed PDU's added complexity or cost.
This is a single-phase unit on a single 30A circuit — it does not provide redundant power paths. For mission-critical racks requiring dual-feed redundancy (A/B power), pair with a second PDU on a separate circuit and use dual-corded equipment or an automatic transfer switch. Review your rack power accessories options for ATS and cable management that complement this PDU.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum continuous load I can draw from the AP7802B?
A: The AP7802B accepts up to 30A input via the NEMA L5-30P connection, but the rated maximum continuous draw per phase is 24A — the industry-standard 80% derate. Total load capacity is 2,880 VA at 120V. Size your upstream circuit breaker at 30A.
Q: What outlet type does the AP7802B provide, and what plugs are compatible?
A: All 16 outlets are NEMA 5-20R. This receptacle accepts both NEMA 5-15P (standard 3-prong) and NEMA 5-20P (T-blade) plugs, so most rack-mount equipment power cords connect without adapters.
Q: Does the AP7802B support remote monitoring or switched outlet control?
A: No. The AP7802B is a metered PDU — it provides local current metering and an alarm LED for overload indication, but does not support remote monitoring via network interface or per-outlet switching. For network-accessible monitoring or outlet-level control, a managed PDU in the APC lineup would be required.
Q: What is the input connector on the AP7802B?
A: The input uses a NEMA L5-30P twist-lock connector on a 3.66-meter (12 ft) cord. This connects to a matching NEMA L5-30R receptacle on a UPS, PDU transfer switch, or dedicated 30A circuit outlet. Do not use a straight-blade adapter — L5-30P is a locking connector for a reason.
Q: Does the AP7802B include overload protection?
A: The AP7802B includes overload protection and an alarm LED that activates when load thresholds are exceeded. It does not replace the upstream circuit breaker — it works alongside it to give you an early visual warning before the breaker trips.
Q: Is the AP7802B RoHS compliant?
A: Yes. The AP7802B carries RoHS compliance certification, making it suitable for deployments in facilities or procurement programs with RoHS requirements for electronic equipment.
The AP7802B lands in a practical middle ground that a lot of integrators overlook: you want load visibility without paying for managed switching you'll never use. The 24A continuous rating on a 30A input is the key number here — APC has the 80% derate baked into the spec rather than leaving it to the installer to calculate, which means you can load this PDU to its published 2,880 VA without second-guessing whether you're leaving enough headroom for inrush on camera or switch power-up sequences.
Technical Highlights:
- 24A Continuous / 2,880 VA Capacity: At 120V with the 80% derate enforced, you can run roughly 19 devices drawing 1.25A each before hitting the ceiling — enough for a fully populated NVR rack with redundant switches and a spare outlet for a laptop or crash cart.
- 16x NEMA 5-20R Outlets: The 5-20R receptacle accepts 5-15P straight-blade cords, which is what ships with almost every NVR, switch, and rack-mount appliance sold today. No outlet adapters means no loose connections and no added failure points in a security-critical rack.
- Local Current Metering + Alarm LED: The alarm LED gives you a visual overload flag without requiring a network connection or management software. In remote IDF closets or unmanned equipment rooms, a lit alarm is faster actionable feedback than any SNMP trap.
Deployment Considerations:
- The NEMA L5-30P input is a twist-lock — confirm your upstream UPS or panel has a matching L5-30R receptacle before ordering. A straight-blade L6-30 or 14-30 will not fit without an adapter, and adapters on locking connectors are bad practice in permanent installations.
- This is a single-phase, non-redundant PDU. If your rack houses equipment that cannot tolerate a single-circuit failure — primary recording servers, 24/7 monitoring stations — you need dual-corded equipment or a second PDU on an independent circuit feeding a redundant input on each device.
The AP7802B is the right call for a security integrator building out a 10–16 device rack on a single 30A circuit who needs load accountability without managed-PDU licensing overhead — specifically, NVR-plus-switch racks in unmanned IDF rooms where the alarm LED serves as the first-line overload alert before a site visit is dispatched.
