APC by Schneider Electric AP8931 Switched Rack PDU — 8-Outlet Vertical 0U
Overview
The APC by Schneider Electric AP8931 is a switched, 0U vertical rack power distribution unit built for data center and network closet deployments where per-outlet control and space efficiency matter. Rated for 15A at 100–120V and delivering up to 1.44 kVA, the AP8931 mounts vertically inside a standard rack frame — freeing every rack unit for active equipment. For integrators building out rack power distribution in surveillance head-end rooms, server closets, or wiring centers, this is the model to reach for when you need switched outlet control without dedicating rack U space to the PDU itself.
The AP8931 belongs to the broader APC by Schneider Electric rack power lineup, a catalog that spans basic strip PDUs through fully metered and switched units. This switched variant sits at the level where you gain the ability to power-cycle individual outlets remotely — a genuine operational benefit when managing distributed equipment you can't physically reach on demand.
Key Features
- Switched Outlets — 8x NEMA 5-15R: Each of the eight NEMA 5-15R receptacles can be independently switched on, off, or power-cycled. In a security head-end, this means rebooting a frozen NVR, PoE injector, or encoder without touching the rack — a real time saver when the closet is two floors away from your desk.
- 1.44 kVA / 15A Capacity (12A Derated): The regulatory derated input current is 12A — the safe continuous operating ceiling for a 15A circuit. Eight outlets drawing an average of 1.5A each will land exactly at that boundary. Size your load accordingly; don't fill all eight outlets with high-draw servers and expect headroom.
- 100–120V Input, NEMA 5-15P Plug: Connects directly to a standard North American 15A receptacle or UPS output. No hardwire, no specialty connector — drop it into an existing circuit without an electrician if the branch circuit is already in place.
- 0U Vertical Form Factor: Mounts along the vertical channel of a two-post or four-post open frame rack without consuming a single rack unit. A 38.90-inch tall, 2.18-inch wide profile fits inside most standard 42U enclosures. If rack U space is sold out, this is the argument for switched PDU over a horizontal unit.
- 10-Foot Input Cord: The 10 ft cord gives you enough reach from the rear of the rack to a floor-mounted UPS or wall-mounted PDU output — typical for raised-floor or under-desk UPS arrangements without forcing cable management compromises.
- 50/60 Hz Input Frequency: Accepts both 50 Hz and 60 Hz utility power, which matters if the same equipment specification is being deployed in international facilities or when sourcing PDUs for a global standardized rack build.
- Wide Operating Temperature Range (-5°C to 45°C): Operates in environments up to 45°C — covers most un-air-conditioned telecom rooms and edge closets that run warm under load. Storage range extends to 65°C, so units can be staged in non-climate-controlled warehouses without voiding environmental specs.
- Multiple Safety Certifications: Carries cUL Listed, UL Listed, UL 60950-1, FCC Part 15 Class A, ICES-003, and PSE marks. The dual cUL/UL listing covers both US and Canadian installations; PSE covers Japanese deployments. This breadth of certification matters for enterprise procurement teams with multi-region rollout requirements.
Integration & Compatibility
The AP8931 pairs naturally with APC UPS systems that provide NEMA 5-15R or 5-20R output receptacles — connect the PDU input directly to a UPS bypass output for protected, switched power at the outlet level. For surveillance integrators, this PDU pairs well with network video recorders, switches, and encoders mounted in the same rack, giving operations staff remote reboot capability without a site visit.
Because this is a switched PDU (not metered-switched), it provides outlet-level on/off control but does not provide per-outlet power measurement. If your monitoring workflow requires kWh tracking or per-outlet amperage readouts, step up to a metered-switched variant in the APC rack PDU family. For deployments where control without measurement is sufficient, the AP8931 keeps cost and complexity lower.
The NEMA 5-15R outlets limit connected load per outlet to 15A maximum, though the total PDU capacity caps at 12A derated across all eight outlets simultaneously. Plan your network switch and recorder load map before committing outlet assignments — stacking high-draw devices on a single PDU will trip the upstream breaker before the PDU itself signals a fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum load the AP8931 can handle continuously?
A: The AP8931 is rated at 15A maximum input, but the regulatory derated continuous operating limit is 12A. Running above 12A sustained risks tripping the upstream circuit breaker. Size your total connected load to stay at or below 12A across all eight outlets.
Q: Does the AP8931 support remote outlet switching?
A: Yes — the AP8931 is a switched PDU, meaning each of its eight NEMA 5-15R outlets can be individually powered on, off, or cycled. This is the core operational feature that distinguishes it from basic rack strip PDUs.
Q: Can the AP8931 be used in a 0U vertical mounting position?
A: Yes. The AP8931 is specifically designed for 0U vertical installation inside a standard rack enclosure. At 38.90 inches tall and 2.18 inches wide, it fits within the vertical channel of most 42U open-frame and enclosed racks without occupying rack unit space.
Q: What plug type does the AP8931 use?
A: The AP8931 uses a NEMA 5-15P input plug on a 10-foot cord, connecting to any standard North American 15A outlet or compatible UPS output receptacle.
Q: What certifications does the AP8931 carry?
A: The AP8931 is cUL Listed, UL Listed, UL 60950-1 certified, FCC Part 15 Class A compliant, ICES-003 compliant, and PSE certified — covering US, Canadian, and Japanese regulatory requirements.
Q: What is the operating temperature range of the AP8931?
A: The AP8931 operates between -5°C and 45°C, and handles storage temperatures from -25°C to 65°C. Operating relative humidity is rated 5–95%.
The AP8931 earns its place in security head-end racks specifically because of its switched outlet design combined with the 0U vertical footprint — when you're dealing with a rack that's already packed and you still need per-device reboot capability, that combination is hard to replicate without this form factor. I've recommended this unit for surveillance closets where the NVR or encoder stack needs remote power cycling, and the 12A derated limit is the first conversation I have with any integrator before they spec it in.
Technical Highlights:
- 12A Derated Continuous Rating: The 15A nameplate is the breaker rating — plan your actual load map to 12A. Eight outlets averaging 1.5A each puts you right at the edge; mix in a 3A NVR and you'll need to distribute carefully.
- 0U Vertical at 38.90 x 2.18 inches: This physical profile fits inside the vertical mounting channel of virtually any standard 42U rack. Zero rack units consumed means you get switched outlet control without sacrificing even one U of equipment space.
- cUL + UL Listed, FCC Class A, PSE: The certification stack covers US, Canada, and Japan in a single SKU — useful for enterprise customers managing standardized rack specs across North American and Asia-Pacific sites.
Deployment Considerations:
- The AP8931 is switched but not metered — you won't get per-outlet amperage or kWh data from this unit. If your NOC workflow depends on power consumption visibility at the outlet level, you need to step up to a metered-switched variant in the APC lineup.
- The NEMA 5-15P input plug connects to a standard 15A circuit, but the 10-foot cord means your upstream outlet needs to be within reach of the rear rack rail — measure the distance to your UPS or wall outlet before finalizing rack position.
This unit is well-suited to a surveillance head-end or network closet where the priority is remote outlet reboot capability in a full rack — specifically any deployment where a site visit to power-cycle a frozen device would cost more in labor than the PDU itself.
