Vertiv 38555 15A Vertical Rack Power Distribution Unit
Overview
The Vertiv NSVC140-101R15 — part number 38555 — is a basic vertical rack PDU built to distribute reliable 120V/15A power to IT and security equipment across a standard 48-inch rack or cabinet. Rated at 1.4kW continuous load capacity, it is a straightforward, no-frills solution for environments where dependable power distribution matters more than remote monitoring. Every unit ships 100% factory-tested. TAA Compliant and Buy American Act COTS Compliant, it is an appropriate fit for federal, municipal, and regulated commercial deployments where domestic sourcing is a procurement requirement. Explore the full Vertiv power infrastructure line for complementary PDU configurations and accessories.
Key Features
- 14x NEMA 5-15R Outlets at 2.95-in Spacing: Fourteen individually rotated receptacles spaced 2.95 inches center-to-center give you room to plug in standard and slightly oversized adapters without blocking adjacent ports — a real-world detail that matters when you are running a mix of IP camera power injectors, NVR power bricks, and network gear side by side.
- 15A Thermal Breaker Over-Current Protection: A resettable 15A thermal breaker protects the entire circuit. Unlike fuse-based designs, a thermal breaker does not require spare fuse stock and resets without a service call — useful in locked data closets or remote IDF cabinets where getting a technician on-site quickly is not always practical.
- 1.4kW / 120V Continuous Load Capacity: At 1.4kW on a single 15A circuit, you can support a mid-density rack of PoE switches, a compact NVR, and associated networking gear without exceeding the circuit. Verify your actual load against this ceiling during rack planning — exceeding 80% of 1.4kW (roughly 1.12kW) is not recommended for continuous operation.
- 48-Inch Vertical Rackmount Chassis (1.61 in × 1.61 in Cross-Section): The slender 1.61 × 1.61-inch profile mounts vertically along the side of a standard 19-inch rack, consuming zero U-space on your horizontal rails. That matters in compact surveillance racks where every 1U counts for NVR storage or PoE switch expansion. Plastic mounting clips (1 top, 1 bottom) are included for tool-free installation against the rack rail.
- 10-Foot Power Cord with NEMA 5-15P, 14/3 Wire Gauge: The 10-foot 14/3 SJT cord gives you enough reach to connect to a dedicated 15A branch circuit without an extension, and the 14-gauge conductors are properly rated for the full 15A draw — not an undersized cord that generates heat at load.
- Power-On Green LED Indicator: A single green LED confirms the unit is energized. Simple, but eliminates the need to trace a dead circuit during troubleshooting when you are staring at a dark rack in a low-light server room or IDF closet.
- TAA Compliant + Buy American Act COTS: Manufactured in the USA, the 38555 satisfies Trade Agreements Act requirements and Buy American Act commercial-off-the-shelf provisions — a checkbox requirement for federal contracts, DHS integrations, and GSA schedule purchases that often disqualifies offshore PDUs at the bid stage.
- RoHS Compliant, UL & c-UL Listed (60950): UL and c-UL listing to 60950 confirms the unit has passed independent safety evaluation for IT equipment environments. RoHS compliance covers cross-border disposal and green procurement mandates common in state and municipal contracts.
- 5-Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty: Vertiv backs this PDU with a five-year limited warranty — longer than the typical two-to-three-year coverage on entry-level PDUs. For infrastructure that lives in a rack for a decade, that coverage window reduces the risk of an out-of-pocket mid-cycle replacement.
Integration & Compatibility
The NSVC140-101R15 is a passive power distribution unit — it has no network management interface, no metering, and no remote switching. It is designed to pair with any equipment drawing standard NEMA 5-15R 120V power: PoE network switches, compact NVRs, IP video encoders, access control panels, and intercoms. If your deployment requires per-outlet metering, remote switching, or environmental monitoring, step up to a managed rPDU variant in the Vertiv PowerIT lineup. The 15A input via NEMA 5-15P connects directly to any standard 15A duplex branch circuit — no hardwiring or special panel configuration required. Rack compatibility is universal: the vertical mount clips work with standard 19-inch two-post and four-post open-frame racks as well as enclosed cabinets. For broader rack power distribution options including higher-amperage and metered configurations, review the full category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Vertiv 38555 TAA compliant for federal procurement?
A: Yes. The 38555 is manufactured in the USA and is explicitly designated TAA Compliant and Buy American Act COTS Compliant per the product specification sheet.
Q: What is the maximum load I should put on the 38555?
A: The unit is rated for 1.4kW (15A at 120V). Best practice is to keep continuous load at or below 80% of rated capacity — approximately 1.12kW or 12A — to avoid tripping the 15A thermal breaker and to stay within NEC guidance for continuous loads.
Q: Does the 38555 have remote monitoring or per-outlet switching?
A: No. The NSVC140-101R15 is a basic (non-managed) rPDU with no network interface, no metering, and no remote switching capability. It has a single power-on LED indicator. If you need managed features, select a metered or switched variant in the Vertiv PowerIT lineup.
Q: How many outlets does the 38555 provide, and what receptacle type?
A: It provides 14 NEMA 5-15R receptacles spaced 2.95 inches center-to-center along the vertical chassis. Each receptacle is individually rotated for easier plug insertion.
Q: What is the warranty on the Vertiv 38555?
A: Vertiv provides a 5-year limited warranty on this unit, as documented on the official product specification sheet.
Q: What are the chassis dimensions and shipped weight?
A: The chassis measures 47.50 in × 1.61 in × 1.61 in (L×W×D). Shipped weight is 8 lbs (3.63 kg).
The 38555 is the PDU I spec when a rack needs clean, reliable 120V distribution and there is no budget or operational reason to pay for management features that will never get used. The 14-outlet NEMA 5-15R layout at 2.95-inch spacing is the practical detail that matters most — I have dealt with too many value-tier PDUs where you lose two outlets the moment you plug in any wall-wart style brick. The individual rotated receptacle style on the NSVC140-101R15 handles that cleanly.
Technical Highlights:
- 15A Thermal Breaker: Resettable protection means no fuse stock needed in the field — at 15A it aligns exactly with a standard dedicated branch circuit, so you are protected at both the panel and the PDU simultaneously.
- 14/3 10-ft Cord: 14-gauge wire is the correct gauge for a 15A continuous load — not the undersized 16AWG you see on cheaper units. The 10-foot length covers virtually any rack-to-panel distance in a standard data closet or IDF without needing an extension cord.
- TAA + Buy American Act COTS: USA manufacture means this clears federal, state, and municipal procurement requirements that disqualify imported PDUs. It is one fewer RFP exception to write.
Deployment Considerations:
- The operating temperature range tops out at 45°C (113°F) — adequate for a conditioned data room or cooled IDF, but watch out for uncooled outdoor enclosures or utility closets with poor airflow where summer ambient temperatures can push past that ceiling.
- This is a non-metered unit with a single power LED — there is no per-outlet current visibility. If your operations team needs to track load remotely or receive alerts on circuit nearing capacity, this is the wrong SKU; move to a metered variant in the Vertiv line.
The 38555 is a strong fit for surveillance IDF closets and compact security racks in government facilities, campus buildings, and municipal installations where TAA compliance is a hard requirement and the rack is running a predictable, static load of PoE switches, a recorder, and access control hardware that does not need remote power management.
