Vertiv Rpdu Metered Upgradeable 50A 208V - I10491

Vertiv I10491 Metered Upgradeable Rack PDU — 50A 208V 3-Phase 0U Vertical

Overview

The Vertiv I10491 is a zero-U, vertically mounted, three-phase metered rack PDU rated at 50A/208V — purpose-built for high-density data center racks and equipment rooms where you need real-time power visibility without consuming valuable rack unit space. With 30 outlets split across C13 and C19 receptacles, it handles mixed server, storage, and networking loads from a single input circuit. The "upgradeable" designation means this unit ships as metered and can be field-upgraded to switched or outlet-level-monitored functionality, protecting your hardware investment as monitoring requirements evolve.

The rack power distribution category covers a wide range of PDU tiers; the I10491 sits at the metered tier — giving you branch-level current, voltage, and real power data without the per-outlet relay cost of a switched unit. If your operations team needs load data for capacity planning or needs to prove circuit headroom to a facilities auditor, this is the spec to look at.

Key Features

• Three-Phase 50A Input at 200–240V: Drawing on a three-phase feed balances load across all three legs, reducing the risk of single-phase overload that trips a breaker during peak demand. At 50A input, this unit supports fully populated high-density racks where a typical 20A circuit would be exhausted by a handful of 1U servers.
• 30 Outlets — C13 and C19 Mixed Configuration: The combination of IEC C13 (standard 1U/2U server) and C19 (high-draw storage arrays, high-end networking gear) receptacles means you can mix load types on a single PDU without adapters. Confirm outlet counts for each type against your rack BOM before ordering.
• 0U Vertical Mounting: Zero-U form factor mounts vertically inside the side rail of a standard rack, leaving all front 1U–42U positions available for equipment. This is a non-negotiable for fully populated 42U cabinets where horizontal PDU space in the rack simply doesn't exist.
• LED Display with Current, Voltage, and Power Monitoring: The integrated LED display surfaces real-time current (amps), voltage, and power (watts/VA) at the unit level — no software agent required to get a baseline reading. The 208 VA load capacity figure reflects output capacity under rated conditions. For remote monitoring at scale, pair with a network management card (the upgradeable architecture supports this).
• Over-Current Protection: Built-in over-current protection guards connected equipment against current spikes that could otherwise propagate downstream. In a shared-rack environment with diverse load profiles, this is baseline protection you should expect on any metered PDU.
• 50/60 Hz Input Frequency: Accepts both 50 Hz and 60 Hz input, making this unit deployable globally — relevant if you're standardizing PDU SKUs across North American and European data center facilities.
• 3-Meter Cord: The 3m (approximately 10 ft) input cord provides adequate reach from the rack to a floor-level or raised-floor power distribution panel without requiring extension hardware. Verify your panel distance before rack installation — if your PDPs are ceiling-fed, a different cord configuration may be needed.
• On/Off Switch: A physical on/off switch on the unit allows a controlled full-rack power-down without having to trip a breaker at the panel — useful during rack maintenance windows.
• RoHS Compliant, UL & c-UL Listed (62368-1), FCC Part 15 Class A: UL 62368-1 listing is the current audio/video/IT equipment safety standard replacing the legacy UL 60950 — required by most enterprise data center acceptance policies and mandatory for colocation facilities. FCC Part 15 Class A covers conducted and radiated emissions for commercial environments. RoHS compliance satisfies environmental procurement requirements common in government and enterprise contracts.

Integration & Compatibility

The I10491 integrates into any standard rack PDU deployment supporting IEC C14/C20 input feeds at 200–240V three-phase. Its upgradeable architecture is a meaningful differentiator: as your monitoring maturity increases — from metered to switched to outlet-level energy monitoring — this unit can grow with your infrastructure rather than requiring a forklift replacement. Verify compatibility with your specific Vertiv upgrade module options and confirm input whip/connector type matches your facility's panel configuration before ordering. The black finish and vertical form factor are consistent with rack infrastructure standards across major cabinet vendors.

For facilities running environmental monitoring alongside power distribution, consider pairing this PDU with a compatible environmental monitoring unit that feeds into the same management interface. If you're deploying at scale across multiple racks, the per-unit metering data from the LED display can be aggregated via Vertiv's network management ecosystem when the appropriate upgrade card is installed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What outlet types and how many does the I10491 provide?

A: The I10491 provides 30 total AC outlets — a combination of IEC C13 (lower-current, standard for most 1U/2U servers) and IEC C19 (higher-current, for storage arrays and high-draw networking gear). Exact per-type counts should be confirmed against the product datasheet or Vertiv's product configuration tool.

Q: Is the I10491 a switched PDU or metered only?

A: It ships as a metered PDU — you get real-time current, voltage, and power monitoring at the unit level. The "upgradeable" designation means it supports field-installed upgrade modules to add switching or outlet-level monitoring capabilities without replacing the unit.

Q: What certifications does the I10491 carry?

A: The I10491 is UL & c-UL Listed to 62368-1 (the current IT/AV equipment safety standard), FCC Part 15 Class A compliant for commercial environments, and RoHS compliant for environmental procurement requirements.

Q: What is the input voltage and phase configuration?

A: The I10491 accepts 200–240V at 50/60 Hz on a three-phase input, rated at 50A maximum current. The nominal output voltage is 208V.

Q: Does the I10491 occupy rack unit space?

A: No. It is a 0U form factor designed for vertical mounting inside the side rail of a standard rack cabinet, preserving all rack unit positions for equipment.

Q: What monitoring data is available at the PDU?

A: The integrated LED display shows real-time current, voltage, and power (wattage/VA) at the unit level. Remote monitoring requires an optional network management card upgrade.

Jerry Tildsen

The I10491 lands squarely in the "I need real numbers, not just a breaker" tier of power distribution. The three-phase 50A/208V input with unit-level current, voltage, and power monitoring via the integrated LED display gives facilities and ops teams the data they need for capacity planning and load balancing — without paying for per-outlet switching they may never use. If your racks are running mixed C13/C19 loads and you want field upgrade headroom, this unit is worth the spec-in over a static metered PDU.

Technical Highlights:

• 50A Three-Phase Input: Three-phase load distribution at 50A eliminates the single-leg overload risk that trips breakers in fully populated high-density racks — a real operational problem in 10kW+ rack environments.
• 30-Outlet C13/C19 Mix: The dual-receptacle configuration on a single input circuit means one PDU handles both standard servers and high-draw storage or network gear, reducing cable management complexity and eliminating outlet adapters.
• Field-Upgradeable Architecture: Shipping as metered but upgradeable to switched means you can defer the per-outlet relay cost until monitoring requirements actually justify it — a meaningful capex argument in phased data center builds.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify your facility's panel whip connector and phase configuration before ordering — 200–240V three-phase inputs vary by installation and country; a mismatched input connector means the unit won't commission on day one.
• The 3m cord is adequate for most under-floor or side-wall panel configurations, but ceiling-fed or remote distribution environments may need a longer whip or a different PDU configuration.

This unit is well-positioned for phased enterprise data center deployments and colocation cage buildouts where UL 62368-1 listing is a hard acceptance requirement, rack density is high enough to justify three-phase input, and the operations team wants a clear upgrade path to switched or outlet-monitored PDU capability without a hardware forklift.