CyberPower GP400U4AWH Surge Protector with USB Charging
Overview
The CyberPower GP400U4AWH is a compact, wall-hugging surge protector built for workstations, security consoles, and small AV deployments where outlet and USB charging density matter more than rack presence. With four NEMA 5-15R AC outlets and four USB charging ports sharing a single protection footprint, it keeps desks and equipment areas tidy without sacrificing the device capacity most installations actually need. If you're deploying a guard station with a monitor, NVR client, IP phone, and a couple of tablets or body-cam chargers on a single outlet strip, the GP400U4AWH covers that load cleanly. Browse the CyberPower power protection lineup to compare models across the range.
Key Features
- 500 Joule Energy Rating: 500J absorbs transient voltage events typical of commercial HVAC cycling and switching loads on shared circuits. It won't stop a direct lightning strike, but it will handle the repeated low-level surges that degrade sensitive electronics over months of operation — the primary failure mode in always-on security installations.
- 800V Clamping Voltage: The unit begins diverting surge energy to ground when line voltage exceeds 800V. Lower clamping voltages mean tighter protection; 800V is acceptable for general commercial electronics but check manufacturer specs on any ultra-sensitive equipment before relying solely on this unit.
- 15,000A Peak Surge Current (Normal Mode): The MOV array is rated to handle a single-event surge up to 15,000 amps — a figure that reflects the worst-case transient your building wiring is likely to see from a nearby indirect lightning event or utility switching. Equipment connected here stays protected through those events.
- 4 NEMA 5-15R AC Outlets: Standard 15-amp receptacles accept the vast majority of commercial power adapters without requiring plug adapters. Four outlets is the right count for a compact security console: NVR or DVR, monitor, access control panel, and one spare. Explore compatible surge protectors and power accessories for larger deployments.
- 4 USB Charging Ports: Four USB-A ports add charging capacity without occupying any of the four AC outlets — a meaningful distinction when every outlet is spoken for. Useful for body-worn camera chargers, tablet docks, and handheld scanner cradles at a guard or reception station.
- UL 1449 Listed: UL 1449 is the safety standard for surge protective devices in North America; UL 498A covers the outlet construction. Both listings confirm independent safety testing, not just manufacturer self-certification. Also carries cUL for Canadian deployments, FCC/ICES-003 for electromagnetic compatibility, and RoHS compliance for restricted-substance requirements in regulated facilities. If your installation requires documented UL-listed power accessories for an insurance or compliance audit, this unit qualifies. See the full range of power protection options for UPS and PDU alternatives.
- LED Status Indicator: A built-in LED confirms the surge protection circuitry is active. If MOV components absorb a large event and sacrifice themselves (by design), the LED extinguishes — a clear signal that the unit needs replacement before continued operation. No indicator light means no protection, so don't ignore a dark LED in an active installation.
- Compact White Form Factor (104 × 136 × 56 mm): The white housing and flat profile keep the unit unobtrusive in office, reception, and retail security deployments where aesthetics or cable management matter. At roughly 104mm wide and 56mm tall, it fits in most standard surge-strip mounting locations without blocking adjacent outlets on a wall plate.
- RoHS Compliant: Meets EU and equivalent restricted hazardous substance directives — relevant for government, healthcare, and education deployments with environmental compliance requirements.
Integration & Compatibility
The GP400U4AWH works with any North American 120V/15A circuit and is compatible with standard NEMA 5-15P plugs used on virtually all commercial IP cameras, NVRs, access control panels, VoIP phones, and workstations. The four USB-A ports provide charging current suitable for tablets, handheld scanners, and most body-worn camera charging cradles — confirm USB-A compatibility with your specific charging cradle before deploying. For deployments requiring battery backup or higher joule ratings, pair this unit with a UPS battery backup upstream; surge-only devices like the GP400U4AWH provide no runtime during power outages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the surge energy rating on the GP400U4AWH, and is it enough for a security NVR installation?
A: The GP400U4AWH is rated at 500 joules. This is adequate for protecting a security NVR, monitor, and associated peripherals from typical building-circuit transients and indirect lightning events. For mission-critical NVR deployments or areas with frequent storm activity, consider a higher-joule unit or pairing with a UPS that includes surge protection.
Q: Does the GP400U4AWH provide battery backup during power outages?
A: No. The GP400U4AWH is a surge protector only — it does not include a battery. If your deployment requires runtime during outages (NVRs, access control panels, intercoms), you need a UPS. This unit can be used downstream of a UPS for added surge protection of individual device circuits.
Q: What certifications does the GP400U4AWH carry?
A: The GP400U4AWH is UL 1449 listed (surge protective devices), UL 498A listed (outlet construction), cUL listed for Canadian use, FCC/ICES-003 for EMC compliance, DoE/NRCan/CEC for energy efficiency, and RoHS compliant for restricted substance requirements.
Q: Can the GP400U4AWH charge USB-C devices?
A: The unit includes four USB-A ports. USB-C devices requiring a native USB-C port will need a USB-A to USB-C cable or adapter; they cannot connect directly without an adapter. Confirm charging compatibility for your specific devices before deploying.
Q: What does the LED indicator on the GP400U4AWH tell me?
A: The LED confirms that surge protection circuitry is active. If the unit absorbs a large transient event that degrades or sacrifices its MOV components, the LED will go dark — indicating the unit needs replacement. A dark LED in an installed unit means there is no longer surge protection in place.
Q: What is the clamping voltage of the GP400U4AWH?
A: The clamping voltage is 800V. The unit begins diverting surge energy once line voltage exceeds this threshold. This is within the acceptable range for standard commercial electronics and AV/security equipment operating at 120V.
The GP400U4AWH earns its place in compact security installations specifically because of the 15,000A peak surge current rating combined with a 500J energy absorption capacity — that combination handles real-world transient events on shared commercial circuits without the unit failing after the first significant surge event. I've seen cheaper strips spec higher joule ratings but use undersized MOVs that sacrifice themselves on the first meaningful hit; CyberPower's published peak current figure gives you a more honest picture of actual protection capacity.
Technical Highlights:
- 500J / 15,000A Protection: 500 joules of energy absorption paired with a 15,000A peak current rating means the unit handles repeated low-level building transients without degrading protection prematurely — the failure mode that makes cheap surge strips dangerous in always-on security installations.
- 800V Clamping Voltage: Surge diversion activates at 800V, keeping downstream equipment exposure within safe limits for standard 120V commercial electronics including IP cameras, NVRs, and access control panels.
- 4 USB-A Ports — No Outlet Sacrifice: Four USB charging ports add peripheral charging capacity without consuming any of the four NEMA 5-15R AC outlets, so a fully loaded security console — NVR, monitor, panel, spare — still has USB capacity for body-worn camera cradles or handheld scanners.
Deployment Considerations:
- The white housing (104 × 136 × 56 mm) is sized for desk or equipment-shelf placement, not rack mounting — plan your cable routing accordingly in rack-dense environments, or select a rack-mount PDU instead.
- The unit provides no runtime protection during outages; in any deployment where the NVR or access panel must stay live through a power interruption, install this downstream of a UPS rather than as a standalone solution.
The GP400U4AWH is the right fit for a compact guard station or reception-area security console — four controlled AC outlets plus four USB ports in a single, UL-listed footprint, with enough surge headroom to protect the deployment through normal commercial power events without requiring annual replacement.
