Middle Atlantic PDT-2X820 Vertical Rack Power Strip
Overview
The Middle Atlantic PDT-2X820 is a 16-outlet vertical rack power strip built for equipment-dense rack environments where power distribution flexibility and a low-profile form factor both matter. Part of the Select Series PDT line, this unit ships at 60 inches tall — spanning a full standard rack column — and measures just 3.5" W x 2.58" D, so it mounts in the vertical channel without consuming a single rack unit of gear space. If you're integrating a security operations rack, AV distribution frame, or telecom cabinet where every RU counts, the PDT-2X820 (often searched as PDT 2X820) keeps your horizontal slots available for active equipment.
Key Features
- 16 x 5-20R Outlets: Sixteen NEMA 5-20R receptacles spaced along the full 60" height give you enough drops for a fully-loaded rack without daisy-chaining power strips — which introduces ground loops and violates most data center safety policies.
- Dual 20A Circuits: Two independent 20A feeds mean you can split sensitive and high-draw equipment onto separate circuits, reducing the risk of a single overload tripping power to your entire rack. Each circuit carries up to 20A, giving the strip a combined 40A input capacity.
- Field-Configurable Single or Dual Circuit: The dual switched feeds are field-configurable — you can wire it as a single unified circuit or maintain true dual-circuit separation depending on your facility's panel layout. That flexibility matters when you're commissioning racks across sites with different electrical infrastructure.
- Hardwired Input: No plug to fail, no standard NEMA cord to snag during cable management. Hardwired input is the correct choice for permanent rack installs; it also satisfies code requirements in many commercial and data center environments that prohibit cord-and-plug connections on high-draw strip devices.
- Low-Profile Aluminum Chassis: The black anodized aluminum extrusion keeps the unit under 2.58" deep — shallow enough to clear most rear-mount cable management arms — while providing a chassis that won't warp under sustained thermal load the way plastic housings can.
- Vertical Rack Mount: Designed to mount in the vertical channel of a two-post or four-post rack, freeing all horizontal rack space for switches, recorders, and servers. This is the architecture to use when you're building a rack that needs to stay serviceable over years, not just the initial install.
Integration and Compatibility
The PDT-2X820 is compatible with standard 19-inch two-post and four-post open-frame racks as well as enclosed cabinets that provide a vertical mounting channel. The 5-20R outlet configuration accepts standard NEMA 5-20P plugs (20A) as well as NEMA 5-15P plugs (15A) — covering the full range of commercial AV, security, and networking equipment that ships with either plug type. Hardwired input means installation requires a qualified electrician to terminate to a 20A dual-circuit panel feed; plan for this in your project scope.
For rack planning in network infrastructure builds, pair with Middle Atlantic rack enclosures and cable management accessories for a fully integrated system. Consult a power protection buying guide when sizing UPS capacity alongside this strip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many outlets does the PDT-2X820 have, and what outlet type?
A: The PDT-2X820 has 16 outlets, all NEMA 5-20R. These accept both 5-20P (20A) and 5-15P (15A) plugs.
Q: Can the PDT-2X820 be wired as a single circuit instead of dual?
A: Yes. The dual switched feeds are field-configurable for either single or dual circuit operation, giving you flexibility based on your panel layout.
Q: Does the PDT-2X820 require a plug or is it hardwired?
A: It is hardwired — no cord and plug. Installation requires a qualified electrician to connect to a 20A dual-circuit panel feed.
Q: What are the physical dimensions of the PDT-2X820?
A: 60" H x 3.5" W x 2.58" D. It mounts vertically in the rack channel and does not consume horizontal rack units.
Q: What material is the chassis?
A: Black anodized aluminum — lightweight, thermally stable, and suitable for permanent commercial rack installations.
The PDT-2X820 is the strip I reach for on security and AV racks where the integrator needs every horizontal RU for active gear. At 60 inches tall with 16 x 5-20R outlets across two independent 20A circuits, it handles a fully-loaded rack without burning a single rack unit or resorting to daisy-chained consumer strips.
Technical Highlights:
- Dual 20A Circuits: Two independent 20A feeds — not a shared 20A bus — mean a fault or overload on one circuit doesn't kill the entire rack. For security ops with NVRs on one circuit and switches on the other, that separation is worth the slightly more complex panel termination.
- Field-Configurable Topology: The single/dual circuit field configuration lets the same SKU land on racks fed by one breaker or two without stocking a different model. That matters when you're commissioning 20 identical racks across a campus and panel layouts vary by closet.
- Low-Profile Aluminum Extrusion: 2.58" depth and anodized aluminum construction means it clears rear cable arms in most four-post cabinets and won't flex or warp under the heat of a fully loaded rack over a multi-year service life.
Deployment Considerations:
- Hardwired input is the right call for permanent commercial installs, but scope in electrician time at commissioning — this is not a plug-and-play strip. Confirm your panel has a dedicated 20A dual-circuit feed available before the rack ships to site.
- The 5-20R outlets accept 15A plugs too, but if your load mix is heavy with 20A draws, track per-circuit amperage carefully — two circuits at 20A each gives you 40A total, but each circuit has its own 20A limit.
Best fit for security operations centers, large AV distribution racks, and enterprise network closets where a 60-inch vertical strip with dual 20A hardwired circuits is the correct infrastructure choice — not an afterthought power solution.
