APC by Schneider Electric PDU Metered Zerou (30) C13 & (12) C19 - AP8886

APC by Schneider Electric AP8886 0U Vertical Metered Rack PDU

Overview

The AP8886 is a zero-rack-unit (0U) vertical metered power distribution unit designed for high-density data center and server room deployments where per-rack power visibility matters. Mounting vertically in the side channel of a standard rack, it keeps every horizontal rack unit free for active equipment — a real advantage in fully loaded 42U or 48U enclosures where horizontal PDU real estate is genuinely scarce.

With 42 total outlets — 30 IEC 320 C13 for standard 1U and 2U servers plus 12 IEC 320 C19 for high-draw devices like blade chassis, UPS bypass panels, and high-wattage switches — the AP8886 handles mixed server environments without adapter chains. Metered monitoring gives ops teams real-time current, power, and voltage readouts at the unit level, which is the baseline data you need before you can confidently load-balance across PDUs or catch a circuit approaching its limit before it trips a breaker.

Power comes in via an IEC309 plug on a 1.83 m (6 ft) cord rated for 32A at 400V nominal — supporting loads up to 22,080 VA. That input rating puts it squarely in 3-phase European and international data center environments where 400V/32A circuits are standard infrastructure. If your facility runs North American 208V single-phase or 120V branch circuits, this is not the correct unit — input voltage compatibility must be confirmed against your feed before ordering.

LED indicators on the unit surface provide immediate at-a-glance status without requiring a network connection or management software — useful during physical rack audits or when your DCIM platform is unavailable. Overload protection is built in, giving a basic safety layer against inadvertent oversubscription.

Key Features

• 42-Outlet Configuration (30x C13 + 12x C19): Covers mixed loads in a single PDU — C13 for standard servers and storage nodes, C19 for blade chassis and high-draw switches. Eliminates the need for C19-to-C13 adapters that introduce failure points and clutter cable management.
• 0U Vertical Mounting: Installs in the rear vertical channel of a standard rack, preserving all 42U of horizontal space for compute, storage, and networking. Critical in colocation environments where every rack unit carries a cost.
• Metered Monitoring — Current, Power, and Voltage: Real-time per-PDU metering lets facilities and ops teams track actual draw versus circuit capacity. Catching a PDU running at 28A on a 32A feed before it trips is the kind of operational visibility that prevents unplanned downtime.
• 32A / 400V IEC309 Input: Matches standard 3-phase 400V infrastructure common in European, Middle Eastern, and international data centers. The 22,080 VA load capacity supports fully populated racks at realistic server power densities.
• 1.83 m Power Cord: The 6-foot cord provides enough reach for typical rack-to-PDU runs in most raised-floor and overhead busway environments without requiring an extension — keeping the power path clean and minimizing connection points.
• LED Indicators: Visible status at the unit level without software dependency — useful during commissioning, physical audits, or any scenario where network-based monitoring is temporarily offline.
• Overload Protection: Built-in protection against exceeding rated capacity. Acts as a last-resort guard against inadvertent oversubscription, though proper capacity planning remains the primary tool — this protection is not a substitute for load monitoring.
• 50–60 Hz Input Frequency: Accepts both 50 Hz and 60 Hz power feeds, which matters in facilities that mix international equipment or operate dual-frequency test environments.

Integration and Compatibility

The AP8886 is part of the broader APC by Schneider Electric rack PDU lineup, and integrates with APC's EcoStruxure IT infrastructure management platform for environments that require centralized PDU monitoring across multiple racks and sites. The IEC309 input plug connects to standard 32A 400V single-phase or 3-phase panel feeds — verify the receptacle type at your power distribution panel before installation.

For data centers deploying a full UPS and power conditioning stack, this PDU is designed to sit downstream of an APC Smart-UPS or Symmetra series unit, feeding rack-level distribution from a conditioned 400V source. If you are building out a new rack and need guidance on matching PDU capacity to UPS output, a metered PDU selection guide will help confirm the right configuration before deployment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What type of power plug does the AP8886 use for its input connection?

A: The AP8886 uses an IEC309 input plug on a 1.83 m cord. This is the standard high-current industrial plug used with 32A/400V circuits common in European and international data center environments. Confirm your facility's receptacle type matches before ordering.

Q: How many outlets does the AP8886 have, and what types?

A: The AP8886 provides 42 total AC outlets: 30 IEC 320 C13 and 12 IEC 320 C19. The C13 outlets serve standard 1U/2U servers and storage devices; the C19 outlets handle higher-draw equipment such as blade chassis, large switches, and high-wattage storage arrays.

Q: What does the metering on the AP8886 actually measure?

A: The AP8886 meters current, power, and voltage at the PDU input level. This gives you real-time visibility into total rack draw — enough to catch circuits approaching capacity before they trip, and to support load-balancing decisions across multiple PDUs in a rack.

Q: Does the AP8886 work in North American 120V or 208V data centers?

A: No. The AP8886 is rated for 400V nominal input at 32A via IEC309. It is designed for European and international 400V infrastructure. North American facilities operating on 120V or 208V circuits require a different PDU model — verify input voltage compatibility with your facility's power infrastructure before purchasing.

Q: Where does the AP8886 mount in the rack?

A: The AP8886 is a 0U (zero rack unit) unit that mounts vertically in the side channel of a standard equipment rack. This installation approach preserves all horizontal rack unit space for servers, switches, and storage — no rack units are consumed by the PDU itself.

Q: What is the maximum load capacity of the AP8886?

A: The AP8886 supports a maximum load of 22,080 VA, with a maximum input current of 32A per phase. Plan your connected load to stay below this ceiling with adequate headroom — industry practice recommends targeting no more than 80% of rated capacity (approximately 17,664 VA) for sustained operation.

Eden Phillips

When I spec the AP8886 for a project, the conversation usually starts with two questions: what's the input circuit at the rack, and how many C19 devices are going in? With 12 C19 outlets, this unit handles a denser mix of high-draw gear than most 0U PDUs in this class — and that 22,080 VA ceiling at 32A/400V gives you real headroom in a fully populated rack without immediately redlining the feed.

Technical Highlights:

• 32A / 400V IEC309 Input: Supports up to 22,080 VA — enough to carry a dense 42U rack of modern 1U servers plus several blade chassis without approaching the breaker threshold, assuming proper 80% derating practice.
• 30x C13 + 12x C19 Outlet Mix: The 12 C19 slots are the differentiator here. Competing units in this form factor often offer only 6–8 C19 outlets, forcing adapter cables for blade chassis or high-wattage storage — adapters that introduce connection resistance and failure points.
• Current, Power, and Voltage Metering: PDU-level metering without per-outlet granularity. Sufficient for rack-level load tracking and capacity planning; if you need per-outlet switching or per-outlet metering, evaluate the AP8888 or switched variants in the same family.

Deployment Considerations:

• The IEC309 input plug is non-negotiable — if your facility's 32A/400V circuits use a different receptacle (e.g., a Commando variant or facility-specific connector), source the correct whip or verify before the rack ships. A plug mismatch on delivery day is an avoidable delay.
• The metering on this unit is input-level only — there is no per-outlet current sensing. If your operations team needs to attribute load to individual servers for chargeback or capacity management, you will need a per-outlet metered variant instead.

The AP8886 is the right call for European and international colocation deployments where 400V/32A circuits are standard, rack density is high, and the operations team needs basic but reliable power visibility without the cost and complexity of per-outlet monitoring infrastructure.