APC by Schneider Electric AP8659 Metered-by-Outlet Switched Vertical PDU
Overview
The AP8659 is a 0U vertical-mount switched and metered-by-outlet power distribution unit engineered for high-density rack environments where individual outlet-level visibility and remote control are non-negotiable. Combining 24 outlets across mixed C13 and C19 form factors, a 16A/200–230V feed, and per-outlet switching, this unit gives data center and security infrastructure teams the granular power management that blanket-switched strips simply cannot deliver. If you're building out a camera-server rack, NVR bay, or converged security compute stack that needs both metered telemetry and the ability to power-cycle individual devices without touching the cabinet, this is the right hardware class to evaluate.
Key Features
- Per-Outlet Switching (Turn On / Turn Off / Recycle): Each of the 24 outlets can be individually toggled or power-cycled remotely — critical when you need to reboot a hung NVR, encoder, or edge compute node without dispatching a technician to the rack. The recycle function also supports sequenced boot-up to prevent inrush current spikes across simultaneous device restarts.
- Metered-by-Outlet Monitoring (Current, Power, Voltage): Real-time per-outlet current, power, and voltage readings let you catch overloaded circuits before they trip breakers or damage equipment. For mixed-load racks combining PoE switches, servers, and storage, this granularity is the difference between proactive capacity management and reactive troubleshooting.
- 24 Outlets: C13 + C19 Mix: IEC C13 connectors serve standard 1U/2U devices drawing under 10A; C19 connectors handle higher-draw devices like high-density PoE switches or GPU-accelerated edge analytics servers. Having both outlet types on a single PDU eliminates the need for adapters that reduce cord retention and introduce failure points.
- 16A / 200–230V Input at 3,680 VA / 3,680W Capacity: A 16A single-phase feed at 230V delivers up to 3,680W of usable capacity — sufficient for a fully populated 24-outlet rack at moderate per-device loads. Plan your load budget to stay at or below 80% continuous draw (≈2,944W / ≈12.8A) to avoid nuisance tripping.
- 0U Vertical Form Factor: Mounts inside the rear vertical channel of standard EIA-310 racks without consuming a single rack unit. In high-density deployments where every 1U matters — NVR stacks, switch arrays, video analytics servers — this keeps the full rack usable for active equipment.
- Outlet Lock-Out Support: Individual outlets can be locked out to prevent unauthorized or accidental energization. This is a practical safeguard in shared-cabinet environments or during maintenance windows when specific devices must stay de-energized regardless of remote management commands.
- 50–60 Hz Input Compatibility: Accepts both 50 Hz and 60 Hz mains, making the AP8659 deployable in North American and international facilities without frequency-related de-rating or compatibility concerns.
- RoHS Compliance + Multi-Region Certifications: Carries UL, FCC Part 15 Class A, CE-family (EN 55022 A, EN 55024, EN 61000-3-2/-3-3), ICES-003, PSE, VCCI Class A, and VDE marks. RoHS compliance confirms hazardous-substance controls in line with global procurement requirements — relevant for government and enterprise procurement teams with environmental compliance obligations.
Integration & Compatibility
The AP8659 is part of APC by Schneider Electric's rack PDU lineup and integrates with APC's network management card ecosystem for SNMP, Modbus, and web-based monitoring. For security integrators building out NVR or video analytics racks, the per-outlet switching capability pairs directly with remote management workflows — power-cycling cameras or recorders from a central management console without physical access. The 200–230V input range positions this unit for international deployments and facilities with dedicated 208V or 230V rack circuits, common in data centers and purpose-built security operations centers. If your facility runs 120V/20A North American circuits, note that this PDU's input voltage range starts at 200V — verify your local supply before ordering. For PoE switch deployments where outlet-level power monitoring helps validate switch load against port budgets, the per-outlet metering provides a useful cross-reference layer outside the switch's own power reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What input voltage does the AP8659 require?
A: The AP8659 operates on 200–230V AC at 50–60 Hz. It is not compatible with standard North American 120V circuits. Verify your rack's dedicated circuit voltage before deploying.
Q: How many outlets does the AP8659 have, and what connector types?
A: The AP8659 provides 24 AC outlets in a mix of IEC C13 and C19 connectors. C13 serves standard server and networking gear; C19 accommodates higher-draw devices that require the larger locking connector.
Q: Can individual outlets be switched remotely on the AP8659?
A: Yes. The AP8659 supports per-outlet control including Turn On, Turn Off, Power Recycle, and Lock-Out functions on each of its 24 outlets — enabling remote reboot of individual devices without affecting the rest of the rack.
Q: What is the maximum load capacity of the AP8659?
A: The AP8659 is rated at 16A maximum input current, delivering up to 3,680 VA / 3,680W. Best practice is to design for no more than 80% continuous load (approximately 12.8A / 2,944W) to prevent breaker trips under transient load spikes.
Q: What certifications does the AP8659 carry?
A: The AP8659 is certified to UL, FCC Part 15 Class A, ICES-003, PSE, VCCI Class A, VDE, EN 55022 Class A, EN 55024, EN 61000-3-2, and EN 61000-3-3. It also carries RoHS compliance for hazardous-substance restrictions.
Q: Does the AP8659 take up rack unit space?
A: No. The AP8659 is a 0U form factor designed to mount vertically inside the rear channel of a standard EIA-310 rack, consuming zero rack units and leaving the full front-panel height available for active equipment.
When I'm speccing out a high-density rack for a video surveillance or security operations deployment, per-outlet switched PDUs earn their spot fast — and the AP8659 specifically hits the sweet spot with 24 outlets, a 3,680W capacity envelope, and individual outlet control that lets you power-cycle a frozen NVR or edge analytics box without touching the cabinet door.
Technical Highlights:
- Per-Outlet Metering: Current, power, and voltage readings at the individual outlet level mean you can identify a misbehaving device drawing 15% over expected load before it causes a cascade trip — not after. This is genuinely useful in mixed-load racks where PoE switches, servers, and storage all share the same feed.
- 16A / 3,680W Capacity: At 80% continuous load design practice, you have ~2,944W of sustained headroom across 24 outlets. That comfortably handles a rack of 1U NVRs and managed PoE switches without flirting with the breaker threshold.
- C13 + C19 Outlet Mix: Having both connector types eliminates field-expedient adapters between the PDU and high-draw devices. In a security rack with mixed PoE switches and compute, that's a practical wiring advantage over single-type PDUs.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 200–230V input range is a hard requirement — confirm your facility's rack circuit voltage before procurement. A 120V/20A North American circuit will not drive this PDU.
- Plan your outlet inventory against the C13/C19 ratio in your specific load profile; if your deployment is overwhelmingly C13 devices, verify the outlet split matches your equipment count before assuming all 24 are the right type.
The AP8659 is best suited for international data center deployments, purpose-built security operations centers running 208V/230V dedicated rack circuits, and enterprise integrators who need remote power management at the device level — not just branch-circuit monitoring.
