APC by Schneider Electric Rack PDU 2G Metered-by-outlet Zerou 32A 230V (21) C13 & (3) C19 - AP8453

APC by Schneider Electric AP8453 Zero-U Rack PDU, Metered-by-Outlet, 32A 230V

Overview

The AP8453 is a 2nd-generation Zero-U rack PDU from APC by Schneider Electric designed for high-density server and network equipment racks in data centers, telecom closets, and enterprise machine rooms. It delivers 32A at 230V across 24 total outlets — 21 IEC C13 and 3 IEC C19 — with per-outlet metering that gives you actual consumption data at the socket level, not just aggregate draw at the input. That granularity matters when you're capacity-planning a densely loaded rack or tracking power allocation per tenant in a colocation environment. The Zero-U form factor mounts vertically in the side channel of a standard rack power distribution installation, so it claims no usable rack unit space — a genuine advantage when every U counts.

Key Features

• Per-outlet metering: Knowing total rack draw tells you whether you're over budget. Knowing which outlet is drawing what tells you which device is the problem. The AP8453 meters at each socket, so you can isolate a misbehaving server or identify an overprovisioned storage array without pulling gear or guessing.
• 32A at 230V input: At 230V this PDU can deliver up to 7.36kW of capacity — sized for racks running dual-PSU servers, high-draw storage, or a mix of networking and compute that would overwhelm a 16A circuit. Pair it with a 32A feed from your UPS or facility power to keep headroom in the circuit.
• 21x IEC C13 + 3x IEC C19 outlets: The outlet mix is practical for real deployments. C13 covers 1U/2U servers, switches, and KVM gear; the three C19 outlets handle high-draw devices like PDUs with local UPS, core switches, or storage arrays with 16A power supplies. No adapters needed for a standard mixed rack.
• Zero-U vertical form factor — 72 inches tall, 2.2 inches wide: At six feet long and under 2.5 inches in profile, this PDU mounts flat against the rear vertical rail and disappears behind your cable management. No rack units consumed, no awkward side-mount adapters, and the 2.00-inch depth keeps it inside the footprint of most 1000mm deep racks.
• 2nd Generation (2G) metering platform: The 2G designation in APC's lineup signals the updated management interface and CAN bus daisy-chaining capability. The included CAN Port Terminator in the box is the signal to plan your daisy-chain topology before installation — the terminator caps the last unit in the chain, and forgetting it is a common commissioning mistake.
• Serial configuration port: The included serial configuration cable means initial setup doesn't require a live network connection. You can assign the IP address and configure basic parameters before the PDU is in production — useful in staged rack build-outs or when network access to the management VLAN isn't available during installation.

Integration & Compatibility

The AP8453 integrates with APC's EcoStruxure IT infrastructure management platform and is compatible with APC's Network Management Card ecosystem for remote monitoring, alerting, and control. The CAN bus port supports daisy-chaining multiple PDUs under a single management card, reducing per-outlet licensing overhead in high-density rows. For environments running third-party DCIM or BMS platforms, SNMP and Modbus connectivity (via the Network Management Card) allow integration with most enterprise monitoring stacks. Refer to APC's compatibility matrix for NMC card options — the rack PDU category includes compatible accessories. For broader power planning in rack deployments, reviewing a power protection strategy before specifying circuit feeds is recommended.

What's in the Box

• 1x Rack PDU AP8453
• 1x CAN Port Terminator
• 1x Installation guide
• 1x Rack mounting brackets
• 1x Safety guide
• 1x Serial configuration cable

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the maximum power capacity of the AP8453?

A: The AP8453 is rated for 32A at 230V, which translates to a maximum capacity of approximately 7.36kW. Real-world loading should be kept at or below 80% of rated capacity (roughly 5.9kW) per standard electrical practice to avoid nuisance tripping.

Q: Does the AP8453 support remote outlet switching?

A: The AP8453 is a metered-by-outlet PDU, not a switched PDU. It provides per-outlet power consumption data but does not support remote on/off control of individual outlets. If remote switching is required, a different model in APC's 2G Switched PDU line would be the correct choice.

Q: What does the Zero-U form factor mean for rack installation?

A: Zero-U means the PDU mounts vertically in the side channel of the rack rather than occupying horizontal rack units. The AP8453 measures 72 inches long x 2.2 inches wide x 2.0 inches deep, designed to fit behind cable management in standard 42U or taller racks without consuming usable equipment space.

Q: What is the CAN Port Terminator included in the box used for?

A: The CAN bus port enables daisy-chaining multiple 2G PDUs under a single APC Network Management Card. The CAN Port Terminator must be installed on the last PDU in the chain to properly terminate the bus. If you're installing a single standalone unit, the terminator still needs to be installed on that unit's CAN port.

Q: What outlet types does the AP8453 provide?

A: The AP8453 provides 21 IEC 320 C13 outlets (standard for 1U/2U servers and networking gear) and 3 IEC 320 C19 outlets (for high-draw equipment with C20 plugs, typically rated up to 16A per outlet). Total outlet count is 24.

Q: Is a network management card included with the AP8453?

A: Based on available product documentation, a Network Management Card is not included in the box with the AP8453. The unit ships with the PDU, CAN Port Terminator, mounting brackets, serial configuration cable, installation guide, and safety guide. Network management capability requires a separately purchased APC Network Management Card.

Eden Phillips

The AP8453 is the PDU I'd specify for a high-density 230V rack where per-outlet visibility is a hard requirement — not a nice-to-have. The 32A input and 24-outlet layout (21x C13, 3x C19) cover a fully loaded compute row without forcing outlet adapters into the mix, and the Zero-U vertical mount keeps the 72-inch unit completely out of the equipment space.

Technical Highlights:

• Per-outlet metering: Granular consumption data at each of the 24 outlets lets you track actual draw per device — essential for chargeback billing in colo environments or for identifying PSU anomalies before they become circuit events.
• 32A / 230V input: At ~7.36kW gross capacity, this PDU handles dual-PSU 1U servers at full load without approaching the 80% derating threshold until you're well into a dense row. Size your upstream circuit to 32A minimum — a 16A feed will limit you to roughly half the available outlets at normal server loads.
• CAN bus daisy-chain: The 2G platform's CAN bus lets you manage multiple PDUs from a single Network Management Card slot. The included CAN Port Terminator is required even on a single-unit installation — it's a small part that causes confusing management issues if omitted.

Deployment Considerations:

• The serial configuration cable in the box is your friend during staged rack builds — configure IP and management parameters before the PDU hits the production network, especially if your management VLAN requires pre-registration of MAC addresses.
• Network Management Card is sold separately. Budget for it at procurement time — the AP8453 ships with no remote management capability out of the box, and retrofitting it later means a service window on a live rack.

This PDU is the right call for enterprise data centers and colocation deployments running 230V power infrastructure where accurate per-outlet consumption tracking is required for capacity planning or tenant billing — not for 120V North American deployments, which require a different model entirely.