APC by Schneider Electric AP7551 Zero-U Rack PDU
Overview
The AP7551 is a basic (non-metered, non-switched) zero-rack-unit power distribution unit from APC by Schneider Electric, designed to distribute 230V/16A utility power across high-density equipment racks without consuming any rack unit space. The zero-U form factor mounts vertically inside the rear rail channel of a standard EIA-310 rack or enclosure, keeping all 24 outlets accessible to equipment while preserving every horizontal rack unit for revenue-generating hardware. Input power arrives via an IEC309 plug — the industrial locking connector common on European and international PDU circuits — providing a more secure connection than a standard IEC320 C20 under sustained load. With 20 C13 outlets and 4 C19 outlets on a single 16A feed, the AP7551 suits mixed server/storage deployments where you need to power a combination of 1U servers (C13) and higher-draw devices such as UPS bypass modules, large storage arrays, or network switches with C19 inlets. At 16A the usable continuous load is capped at 80% per NEC/IEC best practice — roughly 12.8A — so plan accordingly when totaling connected draw across all 24 outlets.
Compatibility
The AP7551 is compatible with any standard EIA-310 19-inch or 23-inch rack or enclosure that includes a vertical PDU mounting channel or side-bracket rail. APC NetShelter SX, SV, and VX enclosures accept this unit directly using APC's 0U mounting brackets. The IEC309 input mates with IEC309 (also called IEC 60309) 16A/230V single-phase receptacles, standard on APC and third-party rack power strips and in-row power distribution in European and international data center environments. The C13 outlets accept all standard IEC320 C14 plugs; the C19 outlets accept IEC320 C20 plugs. This unit does not provide metering, outlet switching, or network management — if per-outlet control or remote monitoring is a requirement, evaluate APC's AP78xx (Switched) or AP86xx (Metered) families instead.
Installation Notes
Mount vertically in the rear 0U channel of the rack using the appropriate APC bracket kit for your enclosure model — confirm bracket compatibility before ordering, as SX, SV, and VX rails differ. The 3-meter power cord provides enough reach to a floor-level PDU panel or in-row power tap in most two-post and four-post rack configurations. No network connection, no configuration software, and no driver installation is required — the AP7551 is purely passive power distribution, energized immediately on plug-in.
