Vertiv I10172L Metered Upgradeable 1U Horizontal Rack PDU
The Vertiv I10172L is a 20A, 208V, 3.3kW horizontal rack power distribution unit built for data center racks and IT cabinets where real-time load visibility matters — and where you may need to step up to full monitoring later without swapping out the unit. This is the PowerIT rPDU line's metered-upgradeable tier: you get input current metering and a local LED display today, and you can hot-swap in an Interchangeable Monitoring Device (IMD) tomorrow if your facility grows into per-outlet or networked monitoring. The model number on the chassis reads MN01D1R0-10L138-2TL6A0H10-S.
Overview
Rack PDUs in the metered-upgradeable class fill the gap between bare strip PDUs and full network-monitored units. The Vertiv PowerIT rPDU lineup is designed around this modularity: buy the hardware that fits today's budget, upgrade in place when the operations team demands SNMP visibility or outlet-level switching. Every I10172L unit ships 100% factory-tested. The 1U horizontal form factor fits standard 19-inch rails and mounts with adjustable brackets, leaving the rest of the rack U-space available for equipment.
Key Features
- Hot-Swap IMD Upgrade Path: The metered-upgradeable architecture means this unit can be converted to a monitored rPDU by inserting a compatible IMD — no rack downtime, no PDU replacement, no rewiring. For facilities doing phased deployments, this protects the hardware investment across budget cycles.
- Local High-Visibility LED Display: Real-time input current is readable directly at the unit without connecting to a network or running a management tool. Phase monitoring covers kWh, W, VA, Power Factor, Volts, and Amps — the full picture for load-balancing decisions when deploying or moving servers.
- ANSI C12.1 / IEC 62053-21 Power Measurement Accuracy: ±1% accuracy class means the numbers you read are numbers you can act on. Facilities running close to circuit capacity need metering they can trust; guesswork at 18A on a 20A circuit is a maintenance call waiting to happen.
- 10 Locking IEC C13 Receptacles (U-Lock, Orange Circuit ID): The U-Lock mechanism prevents accidental cord pull from vibration or cable management. Orange color-coding on the receptacles identifies the single circuit at a glance — useful when tracing loads across a multi-PDU cabinet without a flashlight and a manifest.
- NEMA L6-20P Twistlock Input Plug: The L6-20P plug mates to 20A, 208V dedicated circuits — standard in colocation cages, enterprise server rooms, and dedicated IT closets. The twistlock secures the power cord against vibration-induced disconnection, which matters in high-density racks with significant cable movement.
- 12/3 AWG, 10ft (3m) Power Cord: A 10-foot cord reaches from standard overhead or underfloor cable trays to the PDU without an extension cord. 12 AWG wire is correctly sized for 20A continuous service and won't add resistive voltage drop at high loads.
- 3.3kW Load Capacity at 208V: At 20A input on 208V, the rated load capacity is 3.3kW. That headroom supports modern 1U/2U server loads (typically 300–700W per server), comfortably distributing power across 10 outlets without approaching circuit limits under typical IT workloads.
- 60°C Maximum Operating Temperature: Rated to 60°C (140°F), this unit handles hot-aisle environments that would stress lower-rated PDUs. Most data center hot aisles run 35–45°C; the 60°C ceiling provides margin for containment failures or poorly cooled edge deployments.
- TAA Compliant, Buy American Act COTS Compliant, Made in USA: Government, federal contractor, and DoD procurement programs with domestic sourcing requirements can specify this unit without an exception request. TAA compliance also satisfies GSA schedule requirements.
- UL & c-UL Listed to 62368-1, RoHS, FCC Part 15 Class A: Third-party safety certification covers both US and Canadian markets. FCC Part 15 Class A conformance means it won't introduce electrical noise that interferes with adjacent rack-mounted RF-sensitive equipment.
- 5-Year Limited Warranty: Five years on a rack PDU is meaningful — most competitive units carry 2–3 years. For long-cycle infrastructure with 7–10 year refresh cycles, extended coverage reduces risk on a component that's difficult to swap under load.
Integration and Compatibility
The I10172L draws from any 200–240V, 20A dedicated circuit terminated with a NEMA L6-20P receptacle. It fits standard rack PDU applications in 19-inch EIA-standard racks and two-post open-frame relay racks via the included adjustable mount brackets. Power entry is at the rear of the unit, keeping the front face clear for display visibility and cable management.
For facilities that need per-outlet remote switching or SNMP/Modbus network integration, the hot-swap IMD upgrade eliminates the need to replace this unit — a significant factor when planning a data center power infrastructure refresh across multiple racks. The Locking IEC C13 receptacles accept standard IEC C14 server power supply cords; the U-Lock design requires a compatible C14 plug with the U-Lock retention feature for full mechanical lock, though standard C14 plugs seat and power normally without it.
For large deployments, Vertiv's PowerIT line offers configuration options on cord length and chassis color — contact Vertiv's sales channel for custom configurations. This specific SKU ships in black powder coat with a 10-foot cord.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Vertiv I10172L TAA compliant?
A: Yes. The I10172L is TAA Compliant, Buy American Act COTS Compliant, and manufactured in the USA — it qualifies for federal, DoD, and GSA procurement programs with domestic sourcing requirements.
Q: What is the warranty on the I10172L?
A: Vertiv covers the I10172L with a 5-year limited warranty.
Q: Can the I10172L be upgraded from metered to monitored without replacing the unit?
A: Yes. The upgradeable design supports hot-swap insertion of a compatible Vertiv Interchangeable Monitoring Device (IMD), converting the unit to a monitored rPDU in place — no rack downtime or PDU replacement required.
Q: What plug and circuit does the I10172L require?
A: The I10172L uses a NEMA L6-20P twistlock plug and requires a dedicated 20A, 208V circuit (200–240V range). It does not include a step-down transformer and will not operate correctly on standard 120V North American circuits.
Q: How many outlets does the I10172L have, and what type?
A: It has 10 Locking IEC C13 (U-Lock) receptacles on the rear, rated at 208V each, on a single circuit with orange color ID coding.
Q: What safety certifications does the I10172L carry?
A: The I10172L is UL and c-UL Listed to 62368-1, RoHS Compliant, and meets FCC Part 15 Class A conformance.
The I10172L lands in the right tier for most mid-density rack deployments — the ±1% ANSI C12.1/IEC 62053-21 metering accuracy paired with the local LED phase display gives facilities teams actionable load data without committing to full network monitoring infrastructure on day one. The hot-swap IMD path is what separates it from a standard metered strip: you're not locked into a hardware decision for the next five years.
Technical Highlights:
- Metered Upgradeable Architecture: IMD hot-swap converts metered to monitored in place — no rack pull, no rewiring, no downtime window required.
- Phase Monitoring Depth: The local display reads kWh, W, VA, Power Factor, Voltage, and Amps — not just amps-only metering. That's the data you need to catch power factor issues from UPS-connected loads, not just overcurrent events.
- 60°C Operating Ceiling: Most rack PDUs rate to 40–45°C. The 60°C ceiling on this unit provides real margin in hot-aisle containment environments or edge installations with marginal cooling.
Deployment Considerations:
- The L6-20P twistlock input means your circuit infrastructure must already be 208V/20A with L6-20P receptacles — this is standard in colo and purpose-built server rooms, but verify before ordering for retrofits into legacy 120V circuits or NEMA 5-20 environments.
- The 10 locking IEC C13 outlets use U-Lock retention. Standard C14 cords will seat and conduct normally, but you won't get the mechanical retention benefit — plan for U-Lock compatible C14 cords if cord security is a requirement in high-vibration or dense-cable environments.
This unit is the right call for a government or federal contractor rack build where TAA compliance is non-negotiable, load visibility is required from day one, and there's a reasonable chance the monitoring requirements will expand within the 5-year warranty window — the IMD upgrade path means the hardware investment survives that evolution without a forklift swap.
