APC by Schneider Electric APDU9981NA3 Three-Phase Switched 0U Rack PDU
Overview
The APDU9981NA3 is a vertically mounted, zero-U switched rack PDU delivering 11.5kW of three-phase power across 24 mixed-type outlets in high-density data center and server room deployments. Where a basic metered PDU only tells you what's happening, this switched unit lets you remotely cycle individual outlets — critical for rebooting locked servers, cycling PoE switches, or gracefully shedding non-essential loads without dispatching anyone to the rack. If your operations team manages infrastructure across multiple sites or works outside normal business hours, per-outlet switching is the spec that justifies the price delta over a metered or monitored unit.
Designed for rack cabinets running three-phase 415V input at 50–60 Hz, the APDU9981NA3 handles environments where single-phase power distribution simply can't support the load density — think blade server chassis, GPU compute racks, or high-density storage arrays running alongside UPS and power distribution infrastructure. The 0U vertical form factor keeps the PDU mounted in the rear vertical channel of the rack, preserving every usable U of rack space for active equipment.
Key Features
- 11.5kW / 11,000 VA Load Capacity at 16A Maximum Current: Handles dense compute loads that would exceed single-phase PDU limits. A fully-loaded four-node blade chassis or a 24-drive NAS alongside several 1U servers won't push this unit into thermal or current cutoff territory — 16A on a 415V three-phase feed gives you meaningful headroom for mixed rack populations.
- 24 Mixed-Type AC Outlets (C13, C15, C19, C21): The outlet mix matters as much as the count. C13 handles standard IEC server and networking gear; C15 supports higher-temperature applications like some PDUs and certain UPS bypass equipment; C19 and C21 serve high-current devices (40A-capable power supplies, large UPS units, high-density blade enclosures). Having all four coupler types on one PDU eliminates adapter proliferation and the associated failure points.
- Per-Outlet Switching (Switched PDU Type): Remote on/off and reboot capability per outlet is the defining feature of this tier. For remote data center operations, overnight NOC shifts, or co-located racks you can't physically reach, per-outlet switching means a hung IPMI controller or a wedged switch can be power-cycled from a browser or automation script — without rolling a truck.
- 0U Vertical Mounting: Zero rack units consumed. The APDU9981NA3 mounts vertically in standard rack rear channels, making it the correct choice for racks already running at or near full U capacity. If you're in a 42U cabinet with 40U occupied, a 1U or 2U horizontal PDU is a problem this unit doesn't create.
- Three-Phase 415V Input, 200–240V Nominal Output: The input voltage (415V three-phase) is characteristic of international and industrial electrical infrastructure — common in European data centers, co-location facilities, and industrial environments. The 200–240V output range covers standard IEC equipment power supplies without step-down transformers. Verify your facility's incoming power before ordering: this is not a North American 208V single-phase unit.
- 1.8m Cord Length: The 1.8-meter input cord gives enough reach from a typical floor-mounted PDU panel or busway tap to the top of a standard 42U rack without straining the connection. Measure your floor-to-tap distance before assuming this works for ceiling-fed power or unusually tall cabinets.
- RoHS, UL 62368-1, CUL, FCC 15A, PSE Certifications: UL 62368-1 is the current safety standard for IT and AV equipment — required for deployment in North American enterprise environments and increasingly specified in data center procurement. PSE certification confirms compliance for Japanese market installations. RoHS sustainability compliance matters for organizations with green procurement requirements or EU RoHS-regulated customer contracts.
Integration & Compatibility
The APDU9981NA3 integrates with APC rack PDU management infrastructure including APC's Network Management Card ecosystem, enabling SNMP, Modbus, and RESTful API access for power monitoring and outlet control via datacenter infrastructure management (DCIM) platforms. Per-outlet switching enables integration with automated runbook systems, server management platforms (e.g., iDRAC, iLO, IPMI-triggered scripts), and NOC ticketing workflows where outlet reboot is a remediation action.
The mixed C13/C15/C19/C21 outlet configuration is compatible with standard IEC-compliant server, storage, and networking equipment from all major vendors. The 415V three-phase input is designed for international electrical infrastructure — coordinate with your facilities team to confirm your rack PDU panel or busway tap delivers 415V three-phase before provisioning this unit. For North American 208V three-phase environments, verify compatibility with the specific input voltage spec before deployment. Pair with compatible server racks and enclosures that support vertical rear-channel PDU mounting.
For projects requiring per-outlet power monitoring in addition to switching — useful when you need kilowatt-hour billing per tenant in co-location or per-rack chargeback in enterprise IT — confirm whether this model includes per-outlet metering or whether a higher-tier PDU model in the APC by Schneider Electric power distribution line is required. If your deployment also needs environmental monitoring (temperature, humidity, contact closure), APC's sensor port ecosystem connects to the management card separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What input voltage does the APDU9981NA3 require?
A: The APDU9981NA3 requires a three-phase 415V input at 50–60 Hz. This is an international/industrial voltage standard common in European data centers and co-location facilities. Confirm your facility's PDU panel or busway tap delivers 415V three-phase before ordering — this unit is not designed for standard North American 208V single-phase circuits.
Q: What types of outlets does the APDU9981NA3 provide?
A: The APDU9981NA3 provides 24 AC outlets across four IEC coupler types: C13 (standard servers/networking), C15 (higher-temperature applications), C19 (high-current devices), and C21 (high-current, higher-temperature). The specific outlet count per type should be confirmed against the product documentation, but the mix supports a wide range of rack equipment without adapter proliferation.
Q: Does the APDU9981NA3 support remote outlet switching?
A: Yes. As a switched PDU, the APDU9981NA3 supports per-outlet remote on/off and reboot — the core capability that distinguishes it from metered or monitored PDU tiers. This enables remote power cycling of locked devices without physical rack access, and integrates with APC's Network Management Card for SNMP/API-based control.
Q: What is the maximum power load for the APDU9981NA3?
A: The APDU9981NA3 supports a maximum load of 11,500W (11.5kW) / 11,000 VA, with a maximum current of 16A. This capacity is suited for high-density compute racks, blade server chassis, and mixed server/storage environments where single-phase PDUs would be insufficient.
Q: What certifications does the APDU9981NA3 carry?
A: The APDU9981NA3 is certified to UL 62368-1, CUL, FCC 15A, and PSE standards, and carries RoHS compliance for sustainability requirements. UL 62368-1 is the current North American IT/AV safety standard; PSE covers Japanese market deployment; RoHS compliance supports EU and green-procurement frameworks.
Q: Does the APDU9981NA3 take up rack unit space?
A: No. The APDU9981NA3 is a 0U device that mounts vertically in the rear channel of a standard rack enclosure. It consumes zero rack units, preserving full U capacity for active compute, storage, and networking equipment.
The APDU9981NA3 is the unit I specify when a rack is already at capacity and the team needs per-outlet remote control on three-phase infrastructure. The 0U vertical form factor is non-negotiable in fully loaded 42U cabinets, and the 11.5kW / 16A capacity on 415V three-phase gives you enough headroom for dense mixed workloads without running the PDU near its thermal ceiling during peak draw.
Technical Highlights:
- Per-Outlet Switching: Remote reboot and on/off per outlet eliminates truck rolls for hung devices — a measurable operational cost reduction in any multi-site or co-located deployment where physical access means a service window or a travel expense.
- 24-Outlet Mixed Coupler Configuration (C13/C15/C19/C21): Four coupler types on a single PDU means you can populate a rack with blade chassis (C19/C21 for high-current PSUs) alongside 1U servers and networking gear (C13) without a secondary PDU or a tangle of IEC adapters introducing additional failure points.
- UL 62368-1 + RoHS Compliance: UL 62368-1 satisfies the current North American IT safety standard that many enterprise procurement teams now specify explicitly — not the legacy UL 60950. RoHS compliance removes a common barrier in EU-region and sustainability-mandated procurement.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 415V three-phase input requirement is the single most common ordering mistake on this unit. Facilities running North American 208V three-phase will need to verify compatibility or select a different model — this is an international/industrial voltage spec, not a standard US data center feed.
- The 1.8m cord gives adequate reach in most standard rack configurations, but measure your floor-to-busway-tap distance before assuming it clears. Ceiling-fed power drops or non-standard rack heights may require a different cord length or PDU model.
The APDU9981NA3 is the right call for international co-location deployments, European data centers, and industrial compute racks running 415V three-phase infrastructure where per-outlet switching and 0U vertical mounting are both required — not for standard North American office server rooms.
