Vertiv 12570 Basic 15A/120V 1U Horizontal Rack Power Distribution Unit
Overview
The Vertiv Geist JRN122-101D15ST5, model number 12570, is a no-frills horizontal rack PDU built for data centers, server rooms, and security equipment cabinets where upstream surge protection is already handled at the panel or UPS level. Rated at 15A/120V with a 1.4kW input power capacity, it delivers reliable power distribution across 12 receptacles without adding unnecessary complexity or cost to your rack build. If your facility runs proper surge protection at the service entrance, paying for redundant per-PDU surge suppression is wasted budget — this unit strips the overhead and gets the job done.
Explore the full Vertiv power distribution lineup for monitored, metered, and switched variants in the same family.
Key Features
- 12 NEMA 5-15R Receptacles (2 Front + 10 Rear): The split outlet layout — 2 accessible at the front, 10 at the rear — gives you flexibility when cabling a mixed rack. Front outlets serve temporary connections or equipment that gets swapped frequently; rear outlets handle permanent runs. Browse the full rack PDU category for outlet-count options.
- 15A / 120V / 1.4kW Capacity: Sized for a standard 15A branch circuit — no derating math required for typical 1U/2U server and network gear. At 1.4kW usable input power, you have headroom for a rack of access control controllers, NVR appliances, or network switches without hunting for a higher-amperage circuit.
- NEMA 5-15P Input Plug with 10-Foot Cord: The 10-foot cord reaches most rack-to-PDU distances without an extension cord. NEMA 5-15P plugs directly into any standard 15A wall or PDU outlet — no adapter, no rewiring. Check your UPS or upstream power source to confirm 5-15 outlet compatibility before ordering.
- Horizontal 19-Inch Rack-Mount, 1U Form Factor: 1U horizontal mount fits standard 19-inch open-frame relay racks and enclosed server cabinets. Horizontal orientation keeps the power strip accessible and organized; zero vertical space is wasted compared to vertical PDU designs that require side-mount hardware.
- Basic (Non-Surge) Design: No built-in surge suppression means no sacrificial MOV components to fail silently over time. In environments where a quality UPS or panel-level surge arrester is upstream, this is actually the correct design choice — you get a cleaner power path and one fewer point of failure.
- Black Powder Coat Finish: Durable finish holds up in dusty or high-traffic equipment rooms without chipping or corroding. Blends cleanly in standard black rack environments.
Integration & Compatibility
The 12570 pairs cleanly with any 19-inch rack accepting 1U horizontal accessories. NEMA 5-15R outlets accept standard North American plugs — compatible with most 1U rack servers, NVRs, PoE switches, and access control appliances drawing under 15A aggregate. For racks requiring higher amperage or remote monitoring, consider a metered or switched PDU from the same Vertiv Geist family. For installations requiring surge protection at the PDU level rather than upstream, a surge-rated model is the correct substitution. See our power protection planning guide for help sizing branch circuits and UPS capacity for multi-PDU racks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the Vertiv 12570 include surge protection?
A: No. The JRN122-101D15ST5 is a basic PDU with no built-in surge suppression. It is designed for facilities with proper surge protection at the main electrical service entrance or upstream UPS. If you need per-PDU surge protection, select a surge-rated model in the Vertiv Geist line.
Q: What is the maximum load capacity of the 12570?
A: The 12570 is rated at 15A / 120V with a 1.4kW input power capacity. Standard practice is to load a 15A circuit to no more than 80% continuous — roughly 12A or 1.1kW — to stay within NEC guidelines.
Q: How many outlets does the 12570 provide and where are they located?
A: Twelve NEMA 5-15R receptacles total: 2 on the front face and 10 on the rear. All outlets accept standard NEMA 5-15P plugs.
Q: What rack size does the 12570 fit?
A: The JRN122-101D15ST5 mounts horizontally in a standard 19-inch rack and occupies 1U of rack space.
Q: How long is the power cord on the 12570?
A: The input cord is 10 feet long and terminates in a NEMA 5-15P plug for connection to a standard 15A outlet or UPS output receptacle.
The 12570 (JRN122-101D15ST5) is one of those products I recommend without hesitation when the rack design already has upstream power conditioning covered. The 2-front / 10-rear outlet split is a practical detail that gets overlooked in spec sheets — in practice, having two easily accessible front outlets means you're not crawling behind a loaded rack every time you need to plug in a laptop for configuration work or swap a temporary device.
Technical Highlights:
- 1.4kW Input Capacity: At 15A/120V, this PDU handles a typical security equipment rack — NVR, PoE switch, access control panel, and a pair of workstations — without pushing the circuit. Keep aggregate draw under 1.1kW continuous for NEC compliance.
- 10-Foot Input Cord: Long enough to reach a wall outlet or UPS without an extension in most raised-floor or under-desk rack placements. Shorter cords (6-foot) create routing headaches in deeper rack installations; the extra 4 feet pays off.
- 12 NEMA 5-15R Outlets: Covers a fully populated 1U-per-device rack with room to spare. No proprietary outlet formats — everything plugs in directly, no adapters needed.
Deployment Considerations:
- This unit has no surge suppression — confirm your UPS or panel-level surge arrester is rated and functional before deploying in environments with unstable utility power or frequent storm activity.
- At 15A, the 12570 is a single-circuit PDU. If your rack load approaches or exceeds 12A continuous, split the load across two PDUs on separate 15A circuits rather than pushing this unit near its rated limit.
Best fit: security operations racks in commercial facilities — think a mid-size surveillance installation with a dedicated UPS already in the equipment room. The non-surge design keeps the power path clean and eliminates the MOV failure mode that plagues cheap surge-suppression PDUs in always-on deployments.
