Vertiv I10013 24-Outlet 20A Vertical Rack PDU (Basic Upgradeable)
Overview
The Vertiv I10013 is a vertical rack power distribution unit built for data center and IT infrastructure deployments where reliable, code-compliant power distribution across 24 outlets is required today — with the option to add metering or monitoring later without swapping the unit. The model number on the label reads MN01X4B0-24D203-2TL5A0A10-S, but the ordering SKU you want is I10013.
The unit ships from the USA and carries TAA Compliant and Buy American Act COTS Compliant status — relevant if your project falls under federal procurement or GSA schedules. It is 100% factory-tested before leaving the line, and backed by a 5-year limited warranty, which is longer than most competitor PDUs in this class.
Key Features
- 24x NEMA 5-20R Receptacles (Duplex Style): Twenty-four 120V/20A-rated outlets give you enough ports to densely populate a standard 42U or taller cabinet without daisy-chaining strips — a common failure point in mixed-workload racks. Duplex style means two outlets share each face position, keeping the profile slim.
- 20A / 1.9kW Load Capacity at 120V: At 1.9kW continuous, this PDU is appropriately sized for a rack of edge servers, network gear, or storage appliances drawing moderate per-unit loads. If your rack approaches 2kW or higher, size up to a 30A or higher-amperage model before commissioning.
- NEMA L5-20P Twistlock Plug: The twistlock connection to your UPS or upstream panel means the cord cannot be accidentally kicked loose — a meaningful reliability improvement over straight-blade plugs in high-traffic environments like colocation cages or busy IDF closets.
- 10ft / 3m Power Cord with Bottom Front Entry: The 12/3 AWG cord exits at the bottom front of the chassis, which routes cleanly to floor-level UPS outputs or raised-floor connections without fighting the rear cable management of a loaded rack.
- 66.25in Vertical Form Factor (1U Wide): At 66.25 inches tall and only 2.0in x 2.0in in cross-section, this PDU mounts vertically in the rear of a standard rack using toolless hardware with center-to-center spacing options at 61.25in and 64.75in — compatible with most major cabinet manufacturers' zero-U slots.
- Upgradeable with Geist IMD Hot-Swap Module: The single most operationally significant feature for budget-conscious deployments: start as a basic unmonitored PDU, then slot in a Vertiv Geist Interchangeable Monitoring Device (IMD) to add per-outlet metering or environmental monitoring without pulling the unit or re-patching cables. This is Geist's hot-swap upgrade architecture, and it keeps your options open as monitoring requirements evolve.
- Heavy Steel Powder Coat Chassis, Black: The steel chassis resists rack flex and incidental physical contact better than aluminum or plastic units — relevant in densely cabled racks where neighboring equipment shifts during maintenance. The black powder coat finish is standard; contact the manufacturer's sales channel for alternate color configurations.
- 60°C / 140°F Maximum Operating Temperature: Rated to 60°C, this PDU can survive conditions well beyond typical data center thermal thresholds (ASHRAE A1 tops at 25°C inlet) — providing margin if cooling degrades temporarily or if the unit is installed in a non-climate-controlled IDF or industrial enclosure.
- UL & c-UL Listed (62368-1), RoHS, FCC Part 15 Class A: UL 62368-1 is the current audio/video and IT equipment safety standard — this replaces the older UL 60950 listing you may see on legacy PDUs. RoHS compliance covers EU hazardous substance restrictions. FCC Part 15 Class A means it meets commercial (not consumer) emissions limits, which matters in shared-cabinet colocation environments.
- 5-Year Limited Warranty: Five years is above the 1–3 year range typical for PDUs at this price tier. For infrastructure components that are difficult to hot-swap under load, longer warranty coverage reduces lifecycle risk in production deployments.
Integration & Compatibility
The I10013 is a Vertiv PowerIT rPDU from the Geist product family. It is a single-phase unit drawing from one L5-20P input — confirm your upstream UPS or PDU output has an available L5-20P (NEMA twistlock) 20A circuit before ordering. The 24 NEMA 5-20R outlets are compatible with standard C13-to-5-20P or direct 5-20P power cords used by most 1U and 2U rack servers, switches, and storage units.
For sites needing per-outlet switching, outlet-level metering, or environmental sensor support, the Geist IMD upgrade path means you do not need to purchase a more expensive monitored PDU upfront. The IMD modules are available separately and install without powering down the PDU. This architecture fits phased deployments where monitoring infrastructure is added as racks are commissioned — common in network infrastructure buildouts and colocation expansions.
If your project requires outlet-level power monitoring from day one, evaluate the monitored variants in the Vertiv Geist rPDU line before committing to the basic I10013. The upgrade path is real and functional, but it does add a future procurement step and module cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Vertiv I10013 TAA compliant?
A: Yes. The I10013 is manufactured in the USA and carries TAA Compliant and Buy American Act COTS Compliant status, making it eligible for federal, GSA, and other government procurement programs that require domestic sourcing.
Q: What is the warranty on the I10013?
A: The I10013 includes a 5-year limited warranty from Vertiv, which covers the unit against manufacturing defects. This is longer than the 1–3 year coverage common among competitive PDUs in this class.
Q: Can the I10013 be upgraded to a monitored or metered PDU?
A: Yes. The I10013 uses Vertiv Geist's Upgradeable rPDU architecture. By adding a compatible Interchangeable Monitoring Device (IMD) module, the unit can be converted to a metered or monitored PDU without replacing or de-energizing the PDU itself. The IMD is a separate purchase.
Q: What plug type does the I10013 use, and what upstream circuit do I need?
A: The I10013 uses a NEMA L5-20P twistlock plug on a 10ft / 3m, 12/3 AWG power cord. You need a dedicated 20A, 120V circuit with an L5-20P outlet — typically from a UPS bypass panel or dedicated branch circuit breaker. Do not connect to a standard 15A NEMA 5-15R outlet.
Q: How does the I10013 mount in a rack?
A: The I10013 mounts vertically in a standard rack or cabinet using toolless mounting hardware. The chassis supports center-to-center mounting spacing of 61.25in and 64.75in, compatible with most major rack cabinet manufacturers' zero-U rear mounting channels. The 66.25in chassis length fits standard 42U+ cabinets.
Q: Does the I10013 have over-current protection or individual outlet switching?
A: No. The I10013 has no over-current protection circuit and no outlet switching — it is a basic distribution PDU. Over-current protection is handled upstream by the branch circuit breaker. If outlet-level switching or per-outlet circuit breakers are required, select a higher-tier Vertiv Geist model accordingly.
The I10013 is a unit I recommend specifically when a site has a defined 20A/120V branch circuit budget but uncertain monitoring requirements — the Geist hot-swap IMD architecture means you are not locked into an unmonitored PDU forever, and you are not paying for monitoring intelligence you do not need on day one. The 24 NEMA 5-20R outlets on a 66.25-inch vertical chassis give you real density without the cost premium of switched or monitored variants.
Technical Highlights:
- 1.9kW at 120V / 20A: Sized for moderate-density racks — a rack of edge switches, small servers, or IP surveillance recorders pulling 50–150W each fits comfortably within the 1.9kW envelope without derate risk.
- L5-20P Twistlock Input: The twistlock connection eliminates accidental disconnection — in rack environments with cable-heavy maintenance activity, this is a real operational safeguard that straight-blade plugs do not provide.
- UL 62368-1 Listed: This is the current IT equipment safety standard (replaces the legacy UL 60950 that appears on older PDUs still in circulation) — confirms compliance with current NEC installation requirements for data centers.
Deployment Considerations:
- The bottom-front power entry point routes cleanly to floor-level UPS outputs but can create cable management tension if your UPS output is at the top or mid-rack — plan cord routing before mounting the PDU in the zero-U channel.
- There is no over-current protection on the I10013 itself. If a connected device draws excess current, protection depends entirely on the upstream breaker. For deployments with mixed high-draw devices, consider a PDU with per-bank circuit breakers instead.
This unit is a strong fit for phased colocation buildouts and government-procurement IT rooms where TAA sourcing is required, outlet density matters, and monitoring is a future-state requirement rather than an immediate need.
