APC by Schneider Electric APDU9966 Switched 0U Vertical Rack PDU 17.2kW
Overview
The APDU9966 is a high-density switched rack PDU built for data centers, server rooms, and enterprise equipment racks where per-outlet power control matters. Rated at 17,300 VA (17.2kW) with a 48A maximum input current and an IEC 60309 power plug, this unit delivers the capacity needed to feed fully loaded high-density racks without requiring separate branch circuit upgrades for moderate draws. Its 0U vertical mounting profile keeps it outside the usable rack unit space entirely — a real advantage when every rack unit counts in a dense deployment. For teams shopping across the APC by Schneider Electric power management line, the APDU9966 sits at the top of the switched PDU tier for single-phase vertical applications.
Key Features
- 17,300 VA / 17.2kW Load Capacity at 48A: Enough headroom for fully loaded blade chassis, dense GPU servers, or high-draw storage arrays. At 48A input, you're well within the limits of a standard 50A branch circuit, which simplifies electrical planning and avoids the cost of a dedicated 60A or higher feed.
- Per-Outlet Switching (Switched PDU Type): Each outlet can be individually switched on, off, or power-cycled remotely — critical for locked-cage environments where physically touching a server to perform a hard reboot is not practical. This also lets you sequence power-on order to avoid inrush spikes during a rack restart, which protects downstream equipment.
- 24 Outlets — C13 and C19 Mix: The dual outlet type (C13 coupler for standard servers, C19 coupler for high-draw devices like high-density switches and UPS bypass equipment) means you can connect mixed equipment without adapters. Adapters add resistance and create potential failure points — avoiding them in a production rack is the right call.
- IEC 60309 Input Plug: This industrial-standard plug is the correct connector for data center PDU panels and computer room distribution boards. If your raised-floor or overhead busway infrastructure already uses IEC 60309 receptacles, the APDU9966 connects directly without a cord adapter — reducing a potential point of failure at the feed side.
- Multi-Voltage Input (200, 208, 220–240, 230V) at 50–60 Hz: Usable across North American 208V three-phase derived single-phase circuits, European 230V infrastructure, and international facilities running 220–240V. This matters for global deployments or co-location facilities that run mixed voltage distribution, as you can standardize on a single PDU SKU rather than stocking regional variants.
- 0U Vertical Mounting: Mounts along the vertical rail of a standard rack enclosure and consumes zero rack units. In a 42U rack fully populated with 1U servers, a 0U PDU means you're not sacrificing server slots to power infrastructure — a straightforward win in space-constrained environments.
- Wide Operating Temperature Range (-5°C to 45°C): Rated for operation up to 45°C, which covers most data center hot-aisle scenarios and edge deployments that lack precision cooling. Storage is rated down to -25°C, which is relevant for equipment warehoused in unheated facilities before deployment.
- 0–95% Operating Humidity (Non-Condensing) and Up to 3,048m Altitude: The altitude rating to 3,048m (10,000 ft) makes this unit suitable for high-elevation installations such as mountain-region data centers or rooftop equipment rooms without derating concerns. The humidity envelope covers unconditioned or partially conditioned spaces.
- Regulatory Certifications (EAC, EN 55022 Class A, EN 55024, EN 61000-3-2, EN 61000-3-3, RCM, VDE): These certifications confirm the unit meets EMC standards for Class A environments (commercial/industrial installations, not residential), harmonic current limits, and voltage fluctuation standards — relevant when your facility requires documented compliance for equipment installed in shared electrical infrastructure.
Integration and Compatibility
The APDU9966 is designed for deployment in rack PDU infrastructure within standard EIA 310 equipment racks and cabinets. Its IEC 60309 input is compatible with the branch circuit distribution typical of raised-floor data centers and modular data center builds. The C13/C19 outlet mix aligns with the IEC 60320 power connectors standard on virtually all server, storage, and networking equipment. For teams planning power capacity, refer to a data center power planning guide to calculate per-rack wattage and confirm the 17.2kW capacity is correctly matched to your load — oversizing or undersizing a PDU at this power level creates either stranded capacity or overcurrent risk. Pair this unit with a compatible UPS system upstream to ensure runtime continuity during utility outages. Network management integration depends on the specific firmware and network management card configuration — verify NMC compatibility with your DCIM or infrastructure management platform before ordering if remote monitoring is a requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What input plug does the APDU9966 use, and will it connect to my existing rack PDU panel?
A: The APDU9966 uses an IEC 60309 input plug, which is the industrial standard found on most data center computer room distribution boards and overhead busways. If your facility already has IEC 60309 receptacles, this unit connects directly. If your infrastructure uses a different connector standard, you will need a cord adapter or a whip — verify with your facilities team before ordering.
Q: What outlet types does the APDU9966 provide, and how many of each?
A: The APDU9966 provides 24 total AC outlets in a mix of C13 and C19 couplers. C13 outlets handle standard server and networking equipment up to 10A; C19 outlets handle higher-draw devices such as high-density switches and select storage arrays up to 16A. The exact C13/C19 split should be confirmed against the product datasheet for this specific model number before finalizing rack cabling.
Q: Can the APDU9966 be used at 208V in a North American data center?
A: Yes. The APDU9966 supports nominal input voltages of 200V, 208V, 220–240V, and 230V at 50–60 Hz, making it directly compatible with 208V single-phase circuits derived from three-phase distribution common in North American data centers. No voltage conversion or step-up transformer is needed.
Q: What is the maximum load the APDU9966 can support?
A: The APDU9966 is rated at 17,300 VA (approximately 17.2kW) with a maximum input current of 48A. At 208V, this translates to roughly 9.98kW of usable real power depending on load power factor. Plan actual load at 80% of rated capacity (approximately 38A) to maintain safe operating margins per standard electrical practice.
Q: What are the operating temperature and altitude limits for the APDU9966?
A: The APDU9966 operates from -5°C to 45°C and at altitudes up to 3,048m (10,000 ft). This covers most data center hot-aisle conditions and high-elevation facility installations without derating.
Q: Does the APDU9966 take up rack unit space?
A: No. The APDU9966 is a 0U unit that mounts vertically along the side rail of a standard rack enclosure. It consumes no rack unit space, leaving all rack positions available for compute, storage, or networking equipment.
The APDU9966 is the unit I'd reach for in high-density single-phase rack builds where per-outlet switching is a hard requirement and 0U vertical mounting is non-negotiable. At 17,300 VA and 48A with an IEC 60309 input, it's sized for racks running blade servers, GPU compute nodes, or dense all-flash storage arrays where aggregate draw approaches or exceeds what most horizontal PDUs can deliver in a 1U or 2U form factor.
Technical Highlights:
- 48A / 17,300 VA Capacity: Running this unit at the recommended 80% ceiling puts you at approximately 38A continuous — enough for a fully populated 42U rack of 1U dual-socket servers without bumping the branch circuit breaker. That headroom matters when you're adding equipment over time and don't want to reprovision the electrical feed.
- Multi-Voltage Input (200–240V, 50–60 Hz): A single PDU SKU that works across 208V North American circuits and 230V European infrastructure simplifies procurement for multi-site deployments and reduces the spare-parts footprint in global co-location environments.
- C13 + C19 Mixed Outlets (24 Total): C19 outlets are the correct socket for high-draw equipment like Cisco Nexus switches and certain NetApp or Pure Storage controllers. Having both types on a single PDU without adapters means cleaner cabling and one fewer failure point in production.
Deployment Considerations:
- The IEC 60309 input plug is the right connection for facilities with standard data center PDU panels — but if you're deploying in a smaller server room with NEMA L6-30 or L6-50 infrastructure, confirm the whip cord configuration before ordering. Mismatch at the input side is the most common installation delay on high-power PDUs.
- Watch out: at 48A maximum input, the APDU9966 requires a dedicated branch circuit rated for at least 50A (60A preferred per NEC 80% rule). A 30A or 40A circuit will not support this PDU at anything close to rated load — verify your electrical panel capacity before deployment.
For high-density co-location cages, private cloud racks running mixed GPU and storage workloads, or enterprise data center builds where remote power cycling eliminates the need for after-hours hands-on access, the APDU9966 is a well-specified choice that avoids the compromises of lower-amperage horizontal PDUs.
