APC by Schneider Electric Schneider Electric AP8962 - Power Distribution Unit - Vertical (0U)

APC by Schneider Electric AP8962 Switched Vertical 0U Rack PDU

Overview

The APC AP8962 is a switched, zero-U vertical rack PDU designed for high-density data center and server room environments where per-outlet power control is a hard operational requirement. It accepts 208V 3-phase input via a NEMA L21-20P connector at up to 20A and distributes that power across 24 NEMA 5-20R outlets at 120V — the kind of outlet density that matters when you're populating a full rack with 1U servers, IP cameras, network appliances, or access control infrastructure. The 0U vertical form factor mounts inside the rack's vertical cable channel, preserving every horizontal rack unit for revenue-generating equipment. If you're specifying power distribution for a rack power distribution deployment, the AP8962 belongs on the short list.

Key Features

• Per-Outlet Switching: Each of the 24 outlets can be switched on or off individually via the network interface. That means you can remotely reboot a locked-up device without touching the rack — critical in unstaffed comms rooms, remote surveillance head-ends, or co-location deployments where a truck roll costs real money.
• 24 x NEMA 5-20R Outlets at 120V: Twenty-four standard 20A receptacles give you enough ports to fully populate a 42U rack without daisy-chaining or adding a second PDU. Each outlet is rated for 120V output — confirm your connected devices are compatible, particularly any 208V-only equipment that cannot accept 120V input.
• 208V 3-Phase Input via NEMA L21-20P: Drawing from a 3-phase 208V circuit via the L21-20P twist-lock connector means the AP8962 integrates directly with the 3-phase PDPs common in purpose-built data center environments. The 20A maximum input current keeps circuit loading well within the 80% NEC continuous-load rule when the PDU is fed from a 25A breaker.
• 6-Foot Input Cord: The 6-foot cord reaches the overhead or underfloor power distribution panel in most standard rack configurations without extension. In deep-aisle installations, verify panel distance before finalizing placement — 6 feet leaves little margin in extended-reach layouts.
• 0U Vertical Mounting: Zero rack-unit consumption means the AP8962 doesn't compete with switches, servers, or NVRs for horizontal rack space. It mounts vertically in the side channel of a compatible server rack or enclosure, which is the standard approach for high-density deployments.
• Wide Operating Temperature Range (-5°C to 45°C): The AP8962 tolerates the upper end of the ambient temperature range found in real-world equipment rooms — where cooling is sometimes marginal — without de-rating. Storage is rated -25°C to 65°C, so warehouse stock won't be an issue.
• Altitude-Rated to 3,000m Operating / 15,000m Storage: Deployments at altitude (mountain data centers, high-elevation surveillance infrastructure) stay within the operating envelope up to 3,000m. Most commercial deployments never approach this limit, but it matters for the edge cases.
• UL Listed, cUL Listed, FCC Part 15 Class A, ICES-003: Safety and emissions certifications confirm the AP8962 meets the baseline requirements for commercial and light-industrial deployments in North America. UL 60950-1 specifically covers IT equipment power safety — relevant when the PDU is feeding servers or active network gear in a mixed rack.

Integration & Compatibility

The AP8962 is designed for the APC by Schneider Electric switched PDU product line and integrates with APC's EcoStruxure IT and Data Center Expert management platforms for remote monitoring, outlet scheduling, and event logging. The NEMA L21-20P input is a 3-phase twist-lock standard — source your circuit from a matching 3-phase panelboard or in-row PDU. Connected devices must accept 120V/20A input via NEMA 5-20 plugs; equipment that requires 208V input cannot be directly connected. The switched PDU category within APC rack PDUs includes metered and monitored variants — choose switched when individual outlet control is the priority, metered-only when you need current visibility but not remote switching. For PoE switch and NVR deployments in security racks, the 24-outlet layout typically supports a full shelf of Axis, Hanwha, or Hikvision-compatible PoE switches alongside NVR appliances and servers without crowding. Pair with a rack cable management solution to keep the vertical PDU's outlet strip accessible after installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the input connector type for the AP8962?

A: The AP8962 uses a NEMA L21-20P twist-lock connector for its 3-phase 208V input. This is a standard 3-phase twist-lock found on commercial panelboards and in-row distribution panels in data center environments.

Q: How many outlets does the AP8962 provide, and what type are they?

A: The AP8962 provides 24 outlets, all NEMA 5-20R at 120V output. These are standard 20A receptacles compatible with the majority of 1U and 2U server, network, and security appliance power supplies.

Q: Does the AP8962 take up rack unit space?

A: No. The AP8962 is a 0U vertical PDU, meaning it mounts in the vertical cable management channel inside the rack and consumes zero horizontal rack units — all 42U (or however many the rack provides) remain available for equipment.

Q: What certifications does the AP8962 carry?

A: The AP8962 is UL Listed, cUL Listed, and certified to UL 60950-1. It also carries FCC Part 15 Class A and ICES-003 emissions certifications, making it suitable for commercial IT environments in the US and Canada.

Q: What is the maximum input current for the AP8962?

A: The AP8962 accepts a maximum of 20A input at 208V 3-phase, 50/60 Hz. For continuous loads, size your upstream circuit to at least 25A to stay within the 80% NEC continuous-load rule.

Q: What operating temperature range does the AP8962 support?

A: The AP8962 operates reliably between -5°C and 45°C (23°F to 113°F) at 5–95% relative humidity (non-condensing). It can be stored between -25°C and 65°C.

James Everett

The AP8962 is one of the few 0U switched PDUs in APC's line that handles 3-phase 208V input at 20A and redistributes across 24 NEMA 5-20R outlets — that combination of input type and outlet count is what makes it the right fit for fully-loaded security or compute racks rather than a generalist grab.

Technical Highlights:

• 3-Phase 208V / 20A Input: The L21-20P input draws from the 3-phase infrastructure that purpose-built data center environments already provision — you're not fighting an adapter or load-balancing issue. At 20A max on 208V 3-phase, you have roughly 7.2kVA of apparent power available for the 24-outlet strip.
• 24 x NEMA 5-20R Switched Outlets: Per-outlet switching over the network means a hard-locked IP camera NVR or access control server can be rebooted without dispatching a technician. For a security infrastructure rack in an unmanned remote location, this is operationally significant — not a convenience feature.
• 0U Vertical Form Factor — 70.5