APC by Schneider Electric PDM3520L2120-380 Metered Monitored Power Distribution Unit
The APC by Schneider Electric PDM3520L2120-380 is a metered and monitored power distribution unit designed for data center and server room environments where per-phase current visibility and remote power management are non-negotiable operational requirements. Accepting 208V AC input at 60Hz and distributing 120V AC output through a single NEMA L21-20 receptacle at up to 20A per phase, this PDU fits branch-circuit monitoring deployments where you need granular load data without dedicated metering hardware.
Key Features
- Dual-Mode Metering and Monitoring: Operating as both a metered and monitored PDU means you get real-time current draw visibility per phase plus remote accessibility via Web and SNMP interfaces — critical when managing power budgets across high-density racks without walking the floor every time you add or swap gear.
- 208V Input / 120V Output at 20A Per Phase: The step-down from 208V to 120V with a 20A per-phase ceiling handles the reality of mixed 120V equipment in data centers fed from 208V branch circuits. At 20A, you have headroom for high-draw servers without requiring dedicated 30A circuits per rack.
- NEMA L21-20 Output Connector: The single L21-20 receptacle is a twist-lock rated for 20A — a deliberate choice for secure, vibration-resistant connections in environments where accidental disconnect would be a serious event. If your equipment terminates in standard NEMA 5-15 or 5-20 plugs, plan for an appropriate adapter or PDU tap strip downstream.
- Web and SNMP Management Platform: Remote management via Web GUI and SNMP means this PDU integrates with existing network management systems and DCIM platforms — no proprietary management hardware required. SNMP support specifically enables alerting on threshold breaches through your existing NMS without a separate agent.
- LED Indicators: Onboard LED indicators provide local status confirmation at a glance — useful during physical inspections or when network management is unavailable during a maintenance window.
- 12.5-Foot Whip Cable (3.80m): The 3.80m cord gives you meaningful routing flexibility within a standard cabinet or between adjacent racks — long enough to reach overhead busways or floor-mounted PDUs without extension cords, which are a code violation in most data center environments.
- Compact 1U/2U Footprint (445 × 406 × 127mm): At 445mm wide and 127mm tall, this unit mounts cleanly in a standard 19-inch rack bay. The 406mm depth fits most mid-depth and full-depth rack enclosures without interfering with cable management panels.
- RoHS Compliance and UL Certification: UL listing confirms the unit has been tested to recognized safety standards for electrical equipment — a hard requirement for installations subject to NEC or local AHJ review. RoHS compliance supports deployments in environments with hazardous substance restrictions.
Integration and Compatibility
The PDM3520L2120-380 is designed for environments running 208V three-phase or split-phase branch circuits — common in colocation facilities, enterprise data centers, and purpose-built server rooms. The SNMP management interface integrates with standard network monitoring tools including those supporting SNMPv1/v2/v3 trap receivers. Web-based management provides browser-accessible dashboards for current monitoring without client software installation.
The NEMA L21-20 outlet is a 3-phase, 4-wire plus ground connector. Confirm your downstream equipment or tap strip uses compatible L21-20 inlets before ordering. Facilities with predominantly NEMA 5-15 or C13/C19 equipment will need an appropriate break-out strip to distribute power to individual devices.
For broader APC by Schneider Electric power management options including higher-outlet-count models and three-phase rack PDUs, explore the full lineup. If you're specifying power infrastructure for a surveillance or security installation, pairing a monitored PDU with a properly sized UPS and battery backup is standard practice for any environment where downtime has consequences. For guidance on matching PDU capacity to your rack load, consult the power protection buying guide. If you're deploying alongside managed PoE switches in a converged security rack, the PDU's per-phase monitoring helps prevent branch circuit overloads when switch power budgets are near-maxed by connected cameras or access control devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the input voltage and frequency for the PDM3520L2120-380?
A: The PDM3520L2120-380 accepts 208V AC input at 60Hz — standard for North American data center branch circuits fed from three-phase distribution panels.
Q: What output connector does the PDM3520L2120-380 use?
A: It provides one NEMA L21-20 twist-lock output receptacle rated at 20A. This is a 3-phase, 4-wire plus ground connector — confirm compatibility with your downstream equipment or tap strip before deployment.
Q: How is the PDM3520L2120-380 managed remotely?
A: Remote management is available via Web browser interface and SNMP, allowing integration with network management systems and DCIM platforms for real-time current monitoring and alerting.
Q: What are the physical dimensions of the PDM3520L2120-380?
A: The unit measures 445mm wide × 406mm deep × 127mm tall (approximately 17.5in × 16in × 5in), fitting standard 19-inch rack enclosures.
Q: Is the PDM3520L2120-380 UL listed and RoHS compliant?
A: Yes. The PDM3520L2120-380 carries UL certification and meets RoHS compliance requirements, supporting installations subject to NEC review and hazardous substance restrictions.
Q: What is the cable length on the PDM3520L2120-380?
A: The input whip cable is 3.80 meters (approximately 12.5 feet), providing routing flexibility for overhead busway connections or floor-mounted panel reach within a rack environment.
The PDM3520L2120-380 lands in a specific niche that's easy to underspec: you have a 208V branch circuit feeding a rack with predominantly 120V equipment, you need per-phase current monitoring, and you need SNMP integration with your existing NMS — all from a single unit. The L21-20 output and 20A-per-phase ceiling make it clear this isn't a general-purpose strip; it's the upstream distribution point for a tap-strip-fed rack, and it's sized for that role.
Technical Highlights:
- 208V → 120V, 20A Per Phase: Bridging the 208V facility supply to 120V rack equipment at 20A addresses one of the most common power architecture pain points in mixed-voltage data centers — no step-down transformer or custom wiring required at the rack level.
- Web + SNMP Dual Management: SNMP trap support means threshold alerts route directly into your NMS or DCIM platform. No polling agent, no proprietary software — just standard SNMPv traps to your existing receiver, which matters in managed environments with strict tool standardization.
- 3.80m Input Cord: At 12.5 feet, the whip is long enough to reach overhead busway drops in most raised-floor or overhead-tray data center layouts without a cord extension — which is good because most AHJs won't pass extension cords on a rack power circuit.
Deployment Considerations:
- The single L21-20 output means this PDU is the upstream feed point, not the endpoint — plan for a compatible 120V tap strip or outlet manifold downstream to distribute to individual 1U servers or appliances with standard NEMA 5-15/5-20 plugs.
- At 127mm tall (roughly 2U equivalent), verify your rack has the vertical space allocated before racking alongside high-density patch panels or blanking configurations — the 406mm depth also requires a full-depth enclosure for clean cable management.
This unit fits well in colocation cage deployments where the facility delivers 208V branch circuits and your equipment is a mix of 120V servers and appliances — the PDM3520L2120-380 handles the voltage translation and gives your NOC the per-phase visibility they need without a separate metering device consuming additional rack space.
