APC by Schneider Electric Rack PDU 2G Metered Zerou 5.7KW 208V (36) C13 & (6) C19 & (2) - AP8861US

APC by Schneider Electric AP8861US Rack PDU 2G Metered Zero-U 5.7kW 208V 42-Outlet

The AP8861US is a zero-U, 3-phase metered rack power distribution unit rated at 5,700 VA / 5.7kW on a 208V input — purpose-built for high-density server and network equipment cabinets where per-unit outlet count, branch-level current visibility, and space efficiency all matter. With a NEMA L21-20P input plug, 36 IEC C13 outlets, 6 IEC C19 outlets, and 2 NEMA 5-20R convenience outlets, it covers the full range of rack-resident loads from 1U servers to high-draw UPS or KVM equipment without requiring a secondary PDU. Explore the full APC by Schneider Electric power distribution catalog for additional form factors and capacities.

Overview

Zero-U mounting means the AP8861US installs vertically along the interior rail channel of a standard 600mm or 800mm deep cabinet — it consumes zero rack units of usable space, leaving every U position available for revenue-generating gear. That distinction matters in colocation cages, edge deployments, and enterprise wiring closets where every rack unit carries real cost. The 3-phase, 20A input at 208V delivers 5.7kW of available load capacity — substantially more than a single-phase 20A/120V circuit, and sufficient to power a fully loaded 42U compute or network switch cabinet without an intermediate PDU distribution panel.

Key Features

• 5.7kW 3-Phase 208V Input: Drawing from a NEMA L21-20P 3-phase source at 20A/208V delivers 5,700 VA of usable capacity — roughly 2–2.5x what a comparable single-phase 20A/120V circuit provides. This headroom matters when populating a rack to 80% or higher utilization across mixed compute, storage, and networking loads.
• 42 Total Outlets — Practical Mixed Distribution: 36 IEC 60320 C13 outlets handle standard 1U and 2U servers, switches, and patch panels; 6 IEC 60320 C19 outlets support higher-draw equipment like high-density switches, storage arrays, or UPS bypass loads that pull 16A+; 2 NEMA 5-20R outlets provide North American plug compatibility for management devices, console servers, or KVM switches that don't ship with IEC cords. Most competing PDUs in this class offer 24–36 outlets — the 42-outlet count here directly reduces the number of PDUs per cabinet and the associated cable management complexity.
• Metered PDU — Real-Time Current Monitoring Without Switch-Level Control: Metered means per-input current monitoring is visible at the unit — you can read load draw in real time and catch a circuit approaching its 20A limit before a breaker trips. If you need individual outlet switching (remote power cycling), look at APC's Switched PDU family; metered units are the right fit when you need load visibility but outlet-level switching is not a requirement.
• Zero-U Vertical Form Factor: Installs in the vertical cable management channel, not in rack-unit positions. For a 42U cabinet this is a meaningful distinction — a 1U or 2U PDU removes equipment space, while the zero-U placement preserves the full 42U for compute and network gear. Standard compatible with APC NetShelter and most third-party 600/800mm deep cabinets via rack mounting hardware.
• NEMA L21-20P Input Connector: The 20A 3-phase locking plug is the standard termination for facility-grade whips in data center and enterprise environments — mates directly with L21-20R receptacles on most floor PDUs and transfer switches. No adapter required in a properly wired 3-phase data center rack row.
• 2G Platform: APC's second-generation Rack PDU platform supports firmware updates and integrates with APC's EcoStruxure IT infrastructure management tools for those running centralized power and environmental monitoring — relevant if you're standardizing on APC infrastructure management across the rack row rather than running standalone PDUs.

Integration & Compatibility

The AP8861US fits any cabinet with a vertical zero-U mounting rail channel — APC NetShelter SX, SV, and VX series are native fits, and most third-party rack enclosures of 600mm or greater depth support vertical PDU mounting. The NEMA L21-20P input requires a 3-phase 20A/208V circuit — confirm your facility's panel configuration before ordering. In single-phase or 120V environments, this unit is not the correct choice; APC's AP78xx series covers single-phase 120V applications.

On the load side, IEC C13 and C19 power cords are the global standard for rack-mount IT equipment — no proprietary connectors, no adapter chains. The 2 NEMA 5-20R outlets accept any North American 5-20P plug, covering management gear that hasn't migrated to IEC terminations. This PDU does not include network management connectivity (no RJ-45 management port); it is a locally metered unit. If remote power monitoring via SNMP, web browser, or REST API is required, the APC Rack PDU AP88xx series with network management cards addresses that use case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What input plug does the AP8861US require, and what circuit should I provision?

A: The AP8861US uses a NEMA L21-20P 3-phase locking plug and requires a 20A, 208V 3-phase circuit. Confirm your facility panel supports a 3-phase 208V feed before deployment — this unit is not compatible with single-phase 120V or 240V circuits.

Q: How many outlets does the AP8861US provide, and what types?

A: 42 total: 36 IEC 60320 C13 (standard server/switch loads), 6 IEC 60320 C19 (high-draw equipment up to 16A+), and 2 NEMA 5-20R (North American plug compatibility for management or console devices).

Q: Does the AP8861US support remote power monitoring or outlet switching?

A: No. The AP8861US is a metered PDU — it provides local current monitoring at the unit level, not remote SNMP or web-based monitoring. There is no network management port. For remote power monitoring or outlet-level switching, the APC Switched or Metered-by-Outlet PDU families are the appropriate alternatives.

Q: Does the AP8861US occupy rack unit space?

A: No. It is a Zero-U PDU, meaning it mounts vertically in the cable management channel of the rack and does not consume any rack unit (U) positions. All 42U (or however many your cabinet has) remain available for equipment.

Q: What is the total power capacity of the AP8861US?

A: The nominal input power is 5,700 VA (5.7kW) at 208V, 3-phase, 20A input. Actual usable load should be derated to 80% of rated capacity (4,560W) per NEC continuous load guidelines for the circuit feeding the PDU.

Q: What is the difference between the AP8861US and APC Switched PDUs?

A: The AP8861US is a metered PDU — it monitors input current locally but does not allow remote control of individual outlets. APC Switched PDUs add per-outlet or per-group remote switching and monitoring via a network management card, enabling remote power cycling. Choose metered when visibility is sufficient; choose switched when remote reboot capability is required.

James Everett

The AP8861US is the unit I reach for when a rack build calls for 3-phase 208V distribution and the customer doesn't need outlet-level switching — the 5,700 VA capacity and 42-outlet count handle a fully populated cabinet without a secondary PDU, and zero-U placement means you're not trading equipment space for power hardware.

Technical Highlights:

• 3-Phase 208V / 20A Input: At 5.7kW available, this PDU covers mixed high-density racks — a typical 42U cabinet running servers and top-of-rack switches sits comfortably under the 80% NEC derate threshold (4,560W usable) at average server utilization.
• 42-Outlet Count (36xC13 / 6xC19 / 2x5-20R): The C19 bank is the differentiator — 6 C19 outlets accommodate the high-draw switches, storage controllers, and UPS bypass units that would otherwise force a second PDU. Single PDU per cabinet is the cleaner design.
• NEMA L21-20P Input: The 3-phase locking connector is what facilities teams expect in a properly wired 208V rack row — no field adapter, mates directly to the L21-20R whip receptacle on the floor PDU or transfer switch.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm 3-phase 208V availability at the rack before spec'ing this unit — it is a common oversight in mixed single/3-phase data halls. The L21-20P will not physically mate to a single-phase L6-20R or L5-20R receptacle.
• Metered-only means no remote reboot capability. If your NOC needs to power-cycle hung servers remotely, the AP8861US is not the right fit — step up to an APC Switched PDU in the same 3-phase family.

Best fit: high-density 208V 3-phase cabinets in enterprise data centers, colocation deployments, or security operations centers running NVR servers and network infrastructure where load monitoring is required but outlet-level switching is not.