Vertiv 27902 Basic Rackmount PDU — 20A, 10-Outlet C13 Power Distribution
Overview
The Vertiv 27902 (model BRELN102-0020/16) is a no-frills, reliable rack power distribution unit built for IT environments that need dependable outlet capacity without the overhead of metering or switching. It delivers 20A of input power through a single IEC60320 C20 inlet and distributes it across 10 IEC C13 receptacles — the standard connector for 1U servers, managed switches, KVM units, and most rack-mounted IT and security equipment. Whether you're provisioning a surveillance NVR stack, a network closet, or a data center row, this unit handles the basics without introducing unnecessary complexity or failure points.
Built in the USA and carrying TAA compliance, the 27902 fits procurement requirements under the Trade Agreements Act and the Buy American Act COTS provisions — a meaningful differentiator for federal, state, and municipal projects where sourcing documentation is mandatory at award time.
Key Features
- Dual-voltage operation (100–120V / 200–240V): The same unit runs at 120V in a standard US office rack or at 208V in a high-density data center PDU circuit — 1.9kW at 120V or 3.3kW at 208V. That's nearly 75% more usable capacity from the same hardware when you move to a 208V circuit, which matters when you're calculating rack power budgets for NVR servers and PoE switch chargers running 24/7.
- 10x IEC C13 receptacles in a dual-bank layout (1 bank of 4, 1 bank of 6): The split-bank arrangement limits each bank to 15A maximum output, which protects against one overloaded bank taking down all 10 outlets simultaneously. For a mixed rack with several low-draw devices plus one or two heavier loads, placing the heavier loads on the 6-outlet bank gives you better current headroom distribution.
- IEC60320 C20 inlet (cord sold separately): The C20 inlet supports 20A circuits — heavier-gauge than the C14/15A standard — so you're not throttled by the inlet before you hit the breaker. Note that the power cord is not included; specify your required length and local plug type separately when ordering.
- 1U horizontal or vertical rackmount, 17-inch chassis: At 17.00 x 1.72 x 1.61 inches, this unit occupies a single rack unit horizontally or mounts vertically along a rail using the included 19-inch panel mount brackets and SLB-4 brackets. Vertical mounting frees up horizontal U-space in dense racks — a real consideration in NVR or security appliance racks where every U counts.
- Heavy steel chassis with black powder coat finish: The steel enclosure resists flexing under cable load — relevant when 10 C13 cords are plugged in and pulling laterally. The powder coat holds up to repeated cable swaps without the surface degradation you see on cheaper plastic-body units.
- Operating range 10–45°C (50–113°F): Covers the full thermal envelope of a standard conditioned server room or a warmer IDF closet. Not rated for unconditioned outdoor enclosures — keep it in climate-controlled spaces.
- RoHS compliant, UL & c-UL Listed 60950: Safety listings cover both US and Canadian jurisdictions, which matters when your AHJ or insurance carrier inspects the installation. RoHS compliance is required for many government and EU-destined deployments.
- TAA compliant, Buy American Act COTS compliant, manufactured in the USA: For government integrators navigating FAR/DFARS clauses, this checks the sourcing boxes without requiring a waiver. Document it at PO time — country-of-origin records support audit trails.
- 5-year limited warranty: Longer than the 1–3 year coverage typical on entry-level PDUs from commodity manufacturers. In a rack that's expected to run continuously for 5–7 years, warranty depth directly affects total cost of ownership calculations.
- 100% factory-tested before shipment: Every unit is individually tested for reliability and functionality at the factory — not sampled. For critical infrastructure racks, that means you're not discovering a manufacturing defect the night you commission the site.
Integration & Compatibility
The 27902 is a passive distribution unit — no network management port, no current metering, no remote switching. It integrates into any rack environment that accepts a standard IEC C13/C20 power chain. Compatible receptacles cover virtually all rack-mounted IT hardware: 1U and 2U servers, managed PoE switches, NVR appliances, KVM drawers, patch panel lighting, and IP camera chassis in modular rack formats. For environments requiring per-outlet current monitoring or remote switching, step up to a metered or switched variant in the Vertiv power distribution lineup.
The dual-voltage design makes this unit forward-compatible if your facility upgrades from 120V standard circuits to 208V high-density circuits — you reuse the PDU, swap the power cord, and gain capacity without replacing the distribution hardware. If you're building out a network video recorder rack or a security appliance stack and want a straightforward rack PDU that won't add management complexity, the 27902 fits without requiring any configuration.
For larger racks requiring more than 10 C13 outlets or needing 208V 30A circuits, evaluate higher-outlet-count models in the Vertiv PowerIT Basic family before committing to a layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Vertiv 27902 TAA compliant?
A: Yes. The 27902 is manufactured in the USA and is TAA compliant as well as Buy American Act COTS compliant, making it suitable for federal and government procurement projects subject to FAR/DFARS sourcing requirements.
Q: Does the 27902 include a power cord?
A: No. The C20 inlet power cord is sold separately. You'll need to specify the appropriate cord length and plug type (NEMA 5-20P for 120V or L6-20P for 208V) when ordering.
Q: Can the 27902 be mounted both horizontally and vertically in a rack?
A: Yes. The 17-inch chassis supports both horizontal (1U) and vertical rackmount configurations. The unit ships with 19-inch panel mount brackets and SLB-4 brackets to support both orientations.
Q: What is the maximum load capacity of the 27902?
A: The unit supports 20A input with a load capacity of 1.9kW at 120V or 3.3kW at 208V. Each receptacle bank is limited to 15A maximum output — there are two banks (one of 4 outlets, one of 6 outlets).
Q: Does the 27902 have any over-current protection or circuit breakers?
A: No. The 27902 is a basic PDU with no built-in over-current protection. Circuit protection depends on the upstream breaker in your power distribution panel.
Q: What is the warranty on the Vertiv 27902?
A: Vertiv provides a 5-year limited warranty on the 27902.
The 27902 is the PDU I spec when a customer needs a clean, reliable power rail and doesn't want to pay for metering or switching they'll never use. The dual-voltage design — 1.9kW at 120V, 3.3kW at 208V — is the detail most buyers miss: you can commission this unit on a standard 120V circuit today and reuse it on a 208V high-density circuit later without replacing the PDU, just the cord.
Technical Highlights:
- Dual-bank receptacle layout (4+6 outlets): The split into two banks with a 15A-per-bank maximum prevents a single overloaded bank from dropping all 10 outlets — useful in mixed racks where a few heavier appliances share a rail with lighter devices.
- TAA + Buy American Act COTS compliance: Manufactured in the USA and documented for government sourcing requirements. This isn't a checkbox item — it's a hard requirement on most federal and DoD rack buildouts, and having it native avoids procurement delays.
- 5-year limited warranty on a passive unit: No management circuitry means fewer failure modes. Combined with 100% factory testing, the 5-year coverage is credible — passive PDUs at this build quality routinely outlast the equipment they're powering.
Deployment Considerations:
- The C20 power cord is not included — order the correct length and plug type (NEMA 5-20P for 120V circuits, L6-20P for 208V) at the same time as the unit to avoid a commissioning delay.
- No over-current protection is built in; the upstream breaker carries that responsibility. If your rack design calls for per-outlet protection, you'll need a switched or metered variant in the Vertiv line rather than this basic model.
This unit fits cleanest in government or municipal security rack buildouts — IDF closets, guard station NVR racks, or small surveillance equipment rooms — where TAA compliance is non-negotiable, the load is predictable, and management overhead on the PDU itself adds no value.
