APC by Schneider Electric PDPM100SC Symmetra PX 100kW Bottom-Feed Power Distribution Module
Overview
The PDPM100SC is APC by Schneider Electric's bottom-feed power distribution cabinet designed for the Symmetra PX 100kW platform — a three-phase, large-format PDU built for critical infrastructure environments where upstream power arrives from below and must be distributed reliably across high-density datacenter or industrial loads. At 2004mm tall, 300mm wide, and 1070mm deep, this is a floor-standing cabinet-class unit, not a rack-mounted strip; it belongs in the same power room or adjacent to the UPS gear it serves. If you're specifying power distribution for a Symmetra PX 100kW system, the PDPM100SC is the matched Bottom Feed Side CAR 3 module for that architecture.
For facilities teams evaluating APC by Schneider Electric power infrastructure, this unit fits into the broader Symmetra PX ecosystem of scalable, modular UPS and distribution components purpose-built for enterprise and industrial-grade deployments.
Key Features
- Three-Phase 4-Wire Input and Output (3PH + G): Both input and output use a 4-wire three-phase-plus-ground configuration at 60 Hz. This matches standard North American large-load electrical infrastructure — no step-down or phase-conversion hardware required when integrating into a properly provisioned facility. Your electrical contractor works with the same wiring conventions used throughout the rest of the distribution chain.
- Bottom Feed Architecture: Power enters from below, which is the correct topology when your raised-floor datacenter routes conduit and cable trays under the slab. This eliminates the overhead cable runs that complicate hot-aisle/cold-aisle layouts and keeps cable management clean in facilities that already standardize on underfloor distribution.
- 0–40°C Operating Temperature Range: Full rated operation from 0°C to 40°C covers the thermal conditions found in most conditioned computer rooms and industrial power rooms without derating. Storage range extends down to -15°C, which matters if the unit ships to a cold warehouse or construction site before commissioning.
- 0–95% Operating and Storage Relative Humidity: Non-condensing humidity tolerance across the full operating range means the unit survives the humidity swings common in transitional seasons or partially conditioned spaces during installation. This isn't a hermetically sealed environment requirement.
- 0–3,000m Operating Altitude: Rated for operation up to 3,000 meters above sea level — relevant for deployments in high-altitude facilities (Denver, Mexico City, Andean data centers) where many power components derate or require altitude compensation. Non-operating altitude tolerance extends to 15,000m for air-freight shipping without special packaging concerns.
- UL 60950-1, cUL, and REACH Certifications: UL 60950-1 covers the information technology equipment safety standard — required for most North American datacenter acceptance. cUL extends that recognition to Canadian facilities. REACH compliance addresses EU chemical substance regulations, relevant for multinational procurement programs that require environmental compliance documentation across the supply chain.
- RoHS Compliance: Restriction of Hazardous Substances compliance is a baseline requirement for most corporate environmental procurement policies and is mandatory for products entering EU member-state facilities. Procurement teams can check this box without special variance requests.
- Large-Format Cabinet Form Factor (300 × 1070 × 2004mm, ~159kg packaged): At roughly 300mm wide by just over a meter deep and two meters tall, the PDPM100SC occupies a defined footprint in your power room layout. Factor the 159kg package weight into loading dock logistics, floor loading calculations, and rigging requirements — this is not a two-person lift. Plan forklift or pallet jack access to the final installation location before delivery.
Integration and Compatibility
The PDPM100SC is a component of the APC Symmetra PX 100kW power distribution system. It is specified as the Bottom Feed Side CAR 3 module, meaning it occupies a defined position within the Symmetra PX modular architecture. Pairing this unit with the correct Symmetra PX 100kW UPS frame and matching input/output cabling infrastructure is essential — consult the Symmetra PX system documentation to confirm cabinet positioning and cabling sequence before ordering. Three-phase power distribution at this scale requires licensed electrical work; verify local code requirements for permitted wiring methods before commissioning.
For facilities running structured datacenter power infrastructure, the PDPM100SC integrates into APC's EcoStruxure-compatible power management ecosystem, allowing monitoring and management through compatible APC network management cards when installed in the broader Symmetra PX frame. Confirm network management card compatibility with the specific Symmetra PX 100kW frame revision in use at your facility.
Buyers specifying complete power room architecture should also review compatible UPS systems and associated power distribution accessories to ensure the full distribution chain — from utility input through UPS through this PDU to load — is correctly specced before equipment arrives on site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the PDPM100SC and what system does it belong to?
A: The PDPM100SC is the APC Symmetra PX 100kW Bottom Feed Side CAR 3 power distribution module. It is a three-phase, floor-standing PDU cabinet designed as a component within the APC Symmetra PX 100kW modular UPS and power distribution system.
Q: What are the input and output connection types on the PDPM100SC?
A: Both input and output use a 4-wire three-phase-plus-ground (3PH + G) configuration at 60 Hz, matching standard North American large-load electrical infrastructure.
Q: What certifications does the PDPM100SC carry?
A: The PDPM100SC is certified to UL 60950-1 and cUL (covering the United States and Canada respectively), and is compliant with REACH and RoHS environmental standards.
Q: What are the operating temperature and humidity limits for the PDPM100SC?
A: The PDPM100SC operates from 0°C to 40°C and tolerates 0–95% relative humidity across both operating and storage conditions. Operating altitude is rated up to 3,000 meters above sea level.
Q: How heavy is the PDPM100SC and what are its physical dimensions?
A: The packaged weight is 159 kg. Physical dimensions are 300mm wide × 1070mm deep × 2004mm tall — a full-height floor-standing cabinet. Plan rigging and floor loading accordingly before delivery.
Q: Is the PDPM100SC a Basic PDU or does it include monitoring capabilities?
A: The PDPM100SC is classified as a Basic PDU. Monitoring and management capabilities depend on compatible APC network management cards installed within the broader Symmetra PX 100kW system frame.
The PDPM100SC is a bottom-feed, three-phase distribution cabinet that slots into the APC Symmetra PX 100kW architecture as the Side CAR 3 module — this is a system-level component, not a standalone PDU you pick off the shelf independently. The 4-wire 3PH + G input and output at 60 Hz means it's specified for North American large-load facilities; if you're in a 50 Hz region or need a different phase arrangement, this is not your unit.
Technical Highlights:
- Three-Phase 4-Wire I/O at 60 Hz: Matched to North American utility infrastructure — no phase conversion hardware in the distribution chain, which keeps impedance and fault clearing predictable.
- 0–3,000m Altitude Rating: One of the more overlooked specs on power equipment. At altitude, air density drops and convective cooling efficiency falls with it. A 3,000m rating on a unit this size means it's been validated above the thermal derating threshold that catches cheaper gear at Denver or Bogotá elevations.
- UL 60950-1 + cUL + REACH + RoHS: Four certifications covering North American safety (both US and Canadian jurisdictions), EU chemical compliance, and hazardous substance restriction — enough to satisfy most multinational corporate procurement standards in a single line item.
Deployment Considerations:
- At 159kg packaged and 2004mm tall, this cabinet requires pre-planned rigging access from receiving dock to final position. Confirm floor load ratings (especially on raised-floor systems) and doorway/corridor clearances before scheduling delivery — retrofitting a forklift path after the fact is expensive.
- The PDPM100SC is a Basic PDU with no onboard monitoring — power visibility at this distribution point requires a compatible APC network management card installed elsewhere in the Symmetra PX frame. If you need per-outlet or branch-circuit monitoring, verify the management card's compatibility with the specific frame revision before closing the system design.
This unit belongs in a purpose-built critical power room within a large enterprise datacenter, colocation facility, or industrial site running the Symmetra PX 100kW platform — it is not appropriate as a standalone distribution solution or in environments without a matched Symmetra PX UPS frame already in the design.
