APC by Schneider Electric APDU9981EU3 Rack PDU 9000 Switched Zero-U 11kW
Overview
The APC by Schneider Electric APDU9981EU3 is a Switched Zero-U rack PDU rated at 11.0kW, designed for high-density three-phase power distribution in data center cabinets and server rooms where per-outlet switching matters and floor space is at a premium. With a 400V three-phase input and 230V output, it targets European and international deployments running standard IEC-format equipment. As a Zero-U unit, it mounts vertically along the side of the cabinet rather than consuming rack unit space — every U stays available for compute or network gear.
If you are specifying APC by Schneider Electric power distribution for a dense cabinet build, the APDU9981EU3 fits the high-power switched tier where remote per-outlet control is required for cycled reboots, load balancing, and energy metering.
Key Features
- Switched Per-Outlet Control: Switched PDUs let you remotely power-cycle individual outlets without touching the cabinet — critical when a hung server needs a cold reboot at 3 AM and the data center is remote. This eliminates truck rolls for what would otherwise be a simple power cycle.
- 11.0kW at 400V Three-Phase Input: A 400V 3-phase feed delivers significantly more power per ampere than single-phase equivalents, reducing cable gauge requirements and heat on distribution runs. At 11kW, this unit handles high-density blade or GPU-accelerator deployments without requiring parallel PDUs.
- IEC 60309 16A 3P+N+PE Input Plug: The industrial IEC 60309 connector is the European standard for high-current power distribution — robust locking engagement that won't pull loose under vibration, common in raised-floor and hard-wired cabinet environments.
- 230V Output Voltage: Outputs standard European 230V, directly compatible with IEC C13/C19 server and networking hardware PSUs — no step-down transformer required for standard rack equipment.
- Zero-U Vertical Side-Mount: Mounts to the side rail or interior of the cabinet, preserving 100% of rack unit space. The 179.2cm length spans a full-height 42U cabinet, distributing outlets across the entire usable height for short, tidy power runs to each shelf.
- 1.8m Input Cord: A 1.8m cord provides enough reach from a floor-mounted power whip or overhead busway to the PDU without excess slack creating cable management issues.
- 5–95% Humidity Tolerance: Operates across the full range of typical data center humidity envelopes, including environments running economizer cooling modes that push humidity higher seasonally.
Integration and Compatibility
The APDU9981EU3 fits standard rack PDU deployments alongside APC NetShelter and third-party cabinets with vertical mounting channels. The IEC 60309 input is compatible with standard three-phase PDU whips and busway tap-offs common in European colocation and enterprise data center builds. Pair it with a compatible server rack or cabinet that includes side-mount PDU brackets for tool-free vertical installation. For full remote management capability, ensure your network management infrastructure includes an available Ethernet drop at the cabinet — the Switched feature set requires network connectivity to deliver its remote outlet control value. Consult your power distribution planning documentation to verify phase load balancing across the three input phases before commissioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the input plug type on the APDU9981EU3?
A: The APDU9981EU3 uses an IEC 60309 16A 3P+N+PE input plug, the industrial locking connector standard for three-phase power distribution in European and international data center environments.
Q: Is the APDU9981EU3 rack-mountable in standard 1U or 2U rack positions?
A: No. The APDU9981EU3 is a Zero-U PDU — it mounts vertically on the side of the cabinet and does not occupy any rack unit positions, preserving full usable rack space for servers and networking gear.
Q: What input voltage does the APDU9981EU3 require?
A: It requires a 400V three-phase (3P+N+PE) input at 50/60Hz, delivering 11.0kW of capacity. This is a European three-phase standard — verify your facility power feed before ordering.
Q: What output voltage does the APDU9981EU3 provide?
A: The APDU9981EU3 outputs 230V, compatible with standard IEC C13 and C19 server, storage, and networking power supplies used throughout European data centers.
Q: How long is the PDU unit and what does it weigh?
A: The APDU9981EU3 measures 179.2cm in length — sized to span a full-height cabinet — and weighs 7kg. Factor the weight into cabinet load calculations when fully populating a high-density build.
The APDU9981EU3 is the unit I reach for when a European colo build needs switched per-outlet control on a three-phase feed without burning rack space on the PDU itself. The Zero-U side-mount and 179.2cm length mean it disappears into the cabinet rail and outlets distribute cleanly across every shelf height — no awkward power run lengths.
Technical Highlights:
- 400V 3-Phase / 11.0kW: Running three-phase at 400V instead of single-phase at 230V cuts current draw by roughly 58% for the same wattage — smaller wire gauge, less heat on your distribution path, and a single PDU handles what would otherwise require two single-phase units at this load level.
- Switched Outlet Architecture: Per-outlet switching means a hung VM host gets a clean power cycle from the management console without dispatching a technician. In a 24/7 colo or NOC environment, that single capability pays for the premium over a basic metered PDU within the first remote reboot event.
- IEC 60309 16A Input: The industrial 60309 connector locks positively and won't loosen under vibration or incidental contact — more reliable than standard IEC 60320 C20 inlets in environments where cabinet doors are opened frequently or power whips are repositioned during upgrades.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify your cabinet has side-mount PDU rails or brackets before ordering — Zero-U vertical PDUs require dedicated mounting hardware that not all third-party cabinets include out of the box.
- The 400V three-phase input is specific to European facility power standards. North American facilities running 208V three-phase or 240V single-phase cannot use this unit without infrastructure changes — confirm facility feed voltage before spec-in.
The APDU9981EU3 is the right call for European enterprise data centers and colocation builds where three-phase power is standard, rack space is at a premium, and remote outlet-level control is a NOC requirement rather than a nice-to-have.
