Middle Atlantic 7011BDS20R Narrow Cabinet Power Strip, 20A
Overview
The Middle Atlantic 7011BDS20R is a plug-in outlet center from the 7011BC CabinetMate series, designed to deliver clean 20-amp power distribution inside AV and security equipment cabinets. If you're building out a rack with NVRs, managed switches, and access control hardware that demands reliable distributed power without a dedicated PDU footprint, this unit is worth a look. The 7011BDS20R ships TAA compliant, making it a straightforward fit for government projects and federally funded deployments where procurement rules require it.
Middle Atlantic's rack power and infrastructure line is purpose-built for the systems integration market — these aren't repurposed consumer strips. The CabinetMate series is engineered to mount cleanly inside rack enclosures and cabinets, keeping power organized and accessible without consuming rack units you need for active gear.
Key Features
- 20-Amp Circuit Rating: A 20A rating gives you meaningful headroom over the more common 15A strips. In a cabinet running multiple PoE switches, an NVR, and an access control panel simultaneously, that extra capacity prevents nuisance tripping and gives you room to add gear without reconfiguring your power distribution layout.
- 1.5 ft (0.5 m) Cord Length: The short 1.5-foot cord is intentional — it keeps cable runs tight inside a rack or cabinet, reducing clutter and the risk of accidental disconnection. This is a plug-in design meant to reach a recessed outlet or power inlet at the back of the cabinet, not to span across a room. Plan your cabinet layout so the source outlet is within reach before ordering.
- TAA Compliant: TAA (Trade Agreements Act) compliance means this unit is manufactured or substantially transformed in a TAA-designated country. For government integrators, GSA schedule buyers, or anyone working under federal IT procurement rules, this eliminates a common sourcing headache. Verify your specific contract requirements, but TAA compliance on the 7011BDS20R covers the base requirement for most federal and state/local government projects.
- CabinetMate Plug-In Design: The plug-in format means no hardwiring — installation is mechanical mounting plus a standard plug connection. That keeps commissioning fast and makes future moves or replacements straightforward without an electrician on-site.
- Narrow Form Factor: The narrow profile is designed to fit in tight cabinet interiors without blocking adjacent equipment or interfering with cable management. In dense security or AV racks where every inch counts, a narrow power strip lets you run outlets where a standard-width unit won't fit.
Integration and Compatibility
The 7011BDS20R is designed for use inside Middle Atlantic rack enclosures and compatible third-party cabinets. It pairs naturally with PoE network switches and NVRs as part of a structured rack build. Because it's a plug-in unit rated at 20A, confirm your cabinet's power inlet or in-cabinet outlet supports a 20A feed — running a 20A strip off a 15A circuit defeats the purpose and creates a code issue. For larger deployments requiring multiple circuits or surge protection, evaluate whether a more capable rack PDU better fits the load profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Middle Atlantic 7011BDS20R TAA compliant?
A: Yes. The 7011BDS20R is TAA compliant, making it eligible for use on GSA schedule purchases and most federal and state/local government procurement contracts that require TAA-designated country of origin.
Q: What is the amperage rating of the 7011BDS20R?
A: The 7011BDS20R is rated at 20 amps, providing more headroom than standard 15A power strips for cabinets running multiple active devices simultaneously.
Q: How long is the power cord on the 7011BDS20R?
A: The cord is 1.5 feet (0.5 meters). This short cord length is designed for plug-in use within a rack or cabinet where the source outlet is nearby — it is not intended for extended runs.
Q: Can the 7011BDS20R be used in a third-party rack cabinet?
A: The CabinetMate series is engineered for Middle Atlantic enclosures, but the narrow plug-in format is compatible with many standard rack cabinets. Verify interior dimensions and mounting provisions before ordering.
Q: Does the 7011BDS20R require hardwiring by an electrician?
A: No. The 7011BDS20R is a plug-in unit — no hardwiring required. It connects via a standard plug to the cabinet's power inlet or outlet, keeping installation simple and reversible.
The detail I keep coming back to on the 7011BDS20R is the 20A rating combined with that short 1.5-foot cord — it tells you exactly what this unit is designed for. This is a cabinet-interior power strip for dense security and AV racks where you're already pulling close to the limit on a 15A circuit and need the extra 5 amps of headroom without stepping up to a hardwired PDU.
Technical Highlights:
- 20A Rating: Gives you up to 2,400W of available capacity at 120V — enough margin to run a multi-channel NVR, managed PoE switch, and access control panel on a single circuit without tripping breakers under load.
- 1.5 ft Cord: Keeps the internal cabinet wiring clean and reduces the risk of accidental disconnection during maintenance. Short cord = intentional design, not a limitation — your source outlet needs to be at the back of the cabinet.
- TAA Compliance: Verified on this SKU. If you're quoting government or education projects on GSA schedule, this clears the procurement hurdle without needing a waiver or substitution.
Deployment Considerations:
- Confirm the cabinet's power inlet is rated for 20A before installing — plugging a 20A strip into a 15A outlet is a code violation and a fire risk. The receptacle and circuit both need to match.
- The 1.5-foot cord is a hard constraint. If your cabinet layout puts the source outlet more than 18 inches from where this strip needs to mount, you'll need to reconfigure the cabinet or choose a different power distribution approach.
The 7011BDS20R is the right call for government-contracted security rack builds — TAA compliance is verified, the 20A capacity handles mixed NVR and switching loads, and the plug-in format keeps installation clean without bringing in an electrician.
