APC by Schneider Electric AP9628 2U Rack-Mount 208V to 120V Step-Down Transformer
Overview
The APC by Schneider Electric AP9628 is a 5000 VA step-down transformer built for data centers, server rooms, and equipment closets where your rack power is 208V but the gear inside runs on 120V AC. Rather than replacing infrastructure or running a separate 120V circuit, the AP9628 drops into a standard 2U rack slot — 17.5" wide, 24" deep, 3.5" tall — and handles the conversion at the transformer level. Both input and output are hardwired (2PH+G in, H+N+E out), making this a fixed-install component, not a plug-and-play PDU swap. Plan for a licensed electrician at commissioning.
If your environment has mixed-voltage requirements — common in legacy data centers being modernized, or in AV/security control rooms where 208V distribution meets 120V equipment racks — the APC by Schneider Electric power infrastructure line addresses that voltage gap without a full electrical retrofit. The AP9628 fits that role precisely.
Key Features
- 5000 VA / 208V-to-120V Conversion: At 5000 VA capacity, this transformer supports a substantial load — enough for a fully populated rack of 120V servers, switches, or security appliances drawing off a single 208V feed. That matters in rack power distribution planning where you're consolidating loads rather than running multiple branch circuits.
- 26A Maximum Line Current: The 26A input ceiling means you need to verify your upstream 208V circuit breaker is rated appropriately — a 30A breaker is typical for this unit. Undersized upstream protection is the most common field mistake on transformer installs.
- Hardwire Input and Output (Both Directions): The 3-wire hardwire connections on both input (2PH+G) and output (H+N+E) eliminate receptacle failure modes and cord management complexity. The tradeoff: this is not a unit you swap in an afternoon. Budget for conduit, wire pull, and electrician time at both ends.
- 2U Rack Form Factor (3.5" H × 17.5" W × 24" D): Two rack units is a reasonable footprint for a 5 kVA transformer — it fits standard 19" EIA racks without consuming the kind of vertical space a floor-standing unit would. The 24" depth fits most mid-depth and full-depth enclosures without overhang issues.
- 95.2 lb Installed Weight: This is a real physical constraint. At 95 lbs, the AP9628 needs to land on a proper rack shelf or integrated slides rated for the load — standard light-duty shelves won't hold it. Position it low in the rack to keep the center of gravity manageable, especially in mobile or seismic-zone enclosures.
- CSA and UL Listed: Both CSA and UL listing means the unit meets North American safety standards for electrical equipment — required in jurisdictions where AHJ sign-off is part of the commissioning process. Check local code compliance before specifying for occupied buildings.
- 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty: APC covers the AP9628 under a 2-year manufacturer warranty, which is standard for transformer-class power hardware in this segment.
Integration and Compatibility
The AP9628 operates as a passive transformer — it has no management interface, no network port, and no monitoring output. It sits between your 208V building power and whatever 120V distribution (PDU, power strip, or direct hardwire) feeds your rack. That makes it broadly compatible with any downstream 120V equipment, but it also means you won't get load monitoring or remote visibility from the transformer itself. Pair it with a monitored PDU or UPS on the 120V output side if you need outlet-level metering and remote power management.
The hardwire-only I/O means integration with standard APC PDU receptacle types is not direct — the 120V output connects to your downstream distribution via conduit and wire termination, not a C19/C13 cord set. Coordinate with your rack layout and cable management plan before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What input voltage does the AP9628 require?
A: The AP9628 requires a 208V hardwired input (2-phase plus ground, 3-wire). It is not compatible with standard 120V or 240V single-phase branch circuits without appropriate upstream electrical work.
Q: What is the output voltage and connector type on the AP9628?
A: The AP9628 outputs 120V AC via a hardwired 3-wire connection (Hot + Neutral + Earth). There are no receptacles on the output — all connections are made via wire termination by a qualified electrician.
Q: How much rack space does the AP9628 require?
A: The AP9628 occupies 2U (3.5 inches of vertical rack space) and measures 17.5 inches wide by 24 inches deep. It fits standard 19-inch EIA racks with at least 24 inches of usable depth.
Q: What is the maximum load the AP9628 can support?
A: The AP9628 is rated at 5000 VA with a maximum input line current of 26A at 208V. Size your downstream 120V load to stay within that capacity — account for inrush current on server and UPS loads during startup.
Q: Does the AP9628 include any monitoring or management features?
A: No. The AP9628 is a passive step-down transformer with no network interface, management card slot, or monitoring output. For load monitoring and remote visibility, add a managed PDU or UPS on the 120V output side.
Q: What is the warranty on the AP9628?
A: The AP9628 carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty from APC by Schneider Electric.
The AP9628 solves a problem that shows up constantly in enterprise retrofits: a building wired for 208V distribution feeding racks full of equipment that only accepts 120V. At 5000 VA with hardwire-only I/O on both ends, this is not a casual swap — but for the right scenario, it eliminates the need to run new branch circuits or replace the power distribution backbone entirely.
Technical Highlights:
- 5000 VA Capacity: Sufficient headroom for a fully loaded equipment rack — servers, switches, KVM, and ancillary gear — drawing off a single 208V feed, provided you stay under the 26A input limit.
- Hardwire Both Ends: 3-wire hardwire on input and output removes receptacle wear and cord failure from the equation, which matters in 24/7 production environments where a loose IEC cord is a real uptime risk.
- 95.2 lb Unit Weight: At nearly 100 lbs, rail or shelf selection is load-critical. Standard 50 lb shelves fail here — spec a heavy-duty rail kit rated for the weight and position the unit at the bottom two U-slots to keep the rack stable.
Deployment Considerations:
- Both the input and output are hardwired — budget for licensed electrician time on both the feed side (208V 2-phase) and the distribution side (120V termination to downstream PDU or equipment). This is not a plug-in install.
- The AP9628 has no management interface. If you need load monitoring or outlet-level switching on the 120V side, that function has to come from the PDU or UPS downstream — plan that into your rack BOM before ordering.
This unit is the right call for legacy data center modernization projects and mixed-voltage security operations centers where 208V distribution is fixed infrastructure but the equipment refresh is all 120V — the AP9628 bridges that gap at the rack level without touching the building electrical.
