APC by Schneider Electric Rack PDU 2G Switched 20A 208V (21) C13 & (3) C19 L620 Cord - AP8959NA3

APC by Schneider Electric AP8959NA3 2G Switched Rack PDU 20A 208V 24-Outlet

Overview

The APC by Schneider Electric AP8959NA3 is a 2nd-generation switched rack PDU built for data center managers and IT architects who need per-outlet remote power control across mixed C13/C19 device populations. Running at 208V on a 20A circuit, it delivers 24 individually switchable outlets — (21) IEC 320 C13 and (3) IEC 320 C19 — making it a practical fit for rows of 1U servers alongside higher-draw storage arrays or network appliances that require C19 feeds.

The NEMA L6-20P input plug and 9.84-foot (3-meter) cord provide enough drop distance from a raised-floor L6-20 receptacle to reach the PDU's vertical or horizontal mount position in the cabinet without cable management strain. If you manage rack power distribution across multiple cabinets, the 2G switching generation supports per-outlet sequenced power cycling — an important distinction from basic metered-only units that require a physical touch or a full-PDU reboot to recover a locked device.

Key Features

• Per-Outlet Switching (24 Outlets): Each of the (21) C13 and (3) C19 outlets can be individually turned on, off, or power-cycled via the network interface — no need to physically access the cabinet to recover a hung server or clear a device fault. In dense remote edge deployments or colocation environments, this eliminates costly truck rolls for simple reboots.
• 20A / 208V Input with 16A Derated Draw: The maximum input is 20A at 208V, but APC rates the safe continuous draw at 16A — standard 80% derating for continuous loads. This means your actual usable load budget is 3,328W (16A × 208V) before the circuit breaker margin is stressed. Plan accordingly before summing device nameplates.
• NEMA L6-20P Plug with 3-Meter Cord: The L6-20P input matches the standard 208V twist-lock receptacles found on most raised-floor power strips and dedicated branch circuits in North American data centers. The 9.84-foot cord provides real routing flexibility without requiring a PDU-level cord extension.
• Mixed C13/C19 Outlet Configuration: The 21×C13 + 3×C19 split accommodates the real-world mix found in typical server rows: C13 feeds the majority of 1U/2U servers and switches, while C19 handles higher-draw storage, blade chassis power supplies, and infrastructure appliances rated above 10A. No adapter required for either class.
• Wide Operating Voltage Acceptance (100–240VAC): The input accepts 100–240VAC, which means the same PDU can be deployed in international facilities or mixed-voltage environments without swapping hardware — relevant for global organizations standardizing on a single PDU SKU across multiple sites.
• 1.79-Meter Chassis (70.5 inches): At 70.5 inches, the AP8959NA3 fills a standard 42U cabinet vertically with the outlet strip running the full usable height. This vertical profile keeps outlet positions distributed evenly along the rail, reducing cable run length to individual devices versus a shorter PDU that concentrates outlets in one zone.
• Operating Range: -5°C to 45°C, 5–95% RH: The rated operating envelope covers typical data center floor conditions as well as warmer IDF closets or edge deployments without active cooling — though sustained operation near 45°C will require adequate airflow across the PDU chassis.
• Wide Altitude Clearance (0–3,000m operating): The 3,000-meter operating altitude rating covers high-elevation data centers and edge sites without derating concerns for most commercial installations in North America, Europe, or elevated regions globally.

Integration & Compatibility

The AP8959NA3 connects to network management infrastructure via APC's embedded Network Management Card interface, enabling integration with SNMP-based monitoring platforms, APC EcoStruxure IT, and third-party DCIM tools. The switched 2G platform supports per-outlet current metering alongside switching, so power usage data flows alongside control commands — useful for capacity planning in environments tracked by a power management system.

For facilities running an APC UPS upstream, the L6-20P input aligns directly with most APC and third-party 208V UPS output receptacles. The 100–240VAC input tolerance also means this PDU functions behind a step-up/step-down transformer for international standardization. Review your rack cabinet zero-U mounting channel compatibility before ordering — vertical PDU mounting hardware requirements vary by cabinet manufacturer and rail depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the actual usable load capacity of the AP8959NA3?

A: The AP8959NA3 is rated for 20A maximum input, but APC derate the continuous load to 16A — the NEC 80% continuous load rule. At 208V, that gives you a usable budget of approximately 3,328W across all 24 outlets combined.

Q: What input plug does the AP8959NA3 use?

A: It uses a NEMA L6-20P twist-lock plug on a 9.84-foot (3-meter) cord, designed for 208V branch circuits standard in North American data centers.

Q: Can the AP8959NA3 be used in a 230V facility?

A: Yes. The acceptable input voltage range is 100–240VAC, so it will operate on 230V circuits. Confirm the local plug/receptacle type matches the L6-20P or use an appropriate adapter.

Q: What is the difference between C13 and C19 outlets on the AP8959NA3?

A: C13 outlets handle devices up to roughly 10A (standard servers, switches, 1U appliances). The three C19 outlets are rated for higher-draw equipment — blade chassis PSUs, high-density storage, and infrastructure devices that ship with C20 power cords. The AP8959NA3 provides (21) C13 and (3) C19.

Q: Does the AP8959NA3 support per-outlet power monitoring?

A: The switched 2G platform includes per-outlet metering alongside switching control, enabling both remote on/off/reboot and current draw visibility per outlet through the network management interface.

Q: What are the operating temperature limits for the AP8959NA3?

A: Operating range is -5°C to 45°C (23°F to 113°F) at 5–95% relative humidity (non-condensing). Storage range extends to -25°C to 65°C.

Eden Phillips

The spec that matters most day-to-day on the AP8959NA3 is the 16A regulatory derated limit against the 20A breaker — that 4A headroom is the gap between a stable cabinet and a nuisance trip at 3 AM. I've seen integrators load these to nameplate and wonder why the breaker trips; the 16A continuous ceiling is the number to design to, not 20A.

Technical Highlights:

• Per-Outlet Remote Switching: All 24 outlets — (21) C13, (3) C19 — are individually switchable and cyclable via network, eliminating physical cabinet access for device recovery. In colocation or edge deployments, that capability has a direct dollar value in avoided site visits.
• 3-Meter L6-20P Cord: The 9.84-foot cord is long enough for most raised-floor PDU drops without an extension, and the L6-20P plug mates directly to standard 208V branch receptacles in North American data centers — no adapter chain to introduce a fault point.
• 70.5-Inch Chassis / 0–3,000m Altitude: Full-height vertical deployment distributes cable runs evenly across the 42U cabinet, and the 3,000-meter altitude rating means the same PDU works in Denver edge sites, mountain telecom huts, or international high-elevation facilities without derating.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm your cabinet has a zero-U vertical PDU mounting channel before ordering — not all rack manufacturers include or sell the vertical mounting bracket separately, and a 70.5-inch PDU without proper rail support is a cable management liability.
• The 100–240VAC input tolerance is useful for international standardization, but the L6-20P plug is a North American twist-lock — international facilities will need a site-appropriate inlet adapter or a locally sourced cord set; the plug itself does not change.

The AP8959NA3 is the right fit for a colocation cage or enterprise server row where remote power cycling is a weekly operational need, the outlet mix is genuinely split between 1U servers (C13) and higher-draw storage or blade chassis (C19), and the facility runs 208V on L6-20 branch circuits — which covers the majority of purpose-built North American data center deployments.