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Rack-Mount PDUs

A rack-mount PDU brings mains power to the equipment inside a 19 inch rack cabinet from a single lead. This range has Adastra 1U units with 6 or 8 UK sockets, 10 IEC C13 sockets, or 2 UK and 8 IEC sockets, each on a hard-wired 1.8m lead with a UK plug. Connectix units such as the RR-FP1-6 and RR-P1-6-C14 have BS1363 UK sockets and a built-in blue LED ammeter.

Choosing Rack-Mount PDUs

Choose a rack PDU by the plugs on the equipment it feeds, then check the current it can carry and how it fits the cabinet.

UK or IEC sockets

UK BS1363 sockets take ordinary UK plugs: the Adastra 776.490UK has 6 and the 776.491UK has 8. IEC C13 sockets suit servers, switches and other equipment with an IEC inlet: the 776.495UK has 10. The 776.497UK mixes 2 UK and 8 IEC sockets, for a rack that holds both kinds of plug.

Current and protection

The 776.495UK is rated 13A in total and 10A per socket, with a master switch. The 776.491UK has a maximum total current of 13A. The 776.490UK has a re-settable 10A fuse, listed as a resettable circuit breaker in its title. The Connectix units list no current rating. Add up the running current of the connected equipment and keep it under the PDU rating.

Fitting in the rack

Each Adastra unit is 1U high, fits 19 inch rack cabinets or cases and runs from a hard-wired 1.8m lead with a UK plug. The Connectix RR-FP1-6 and RR-P1-6-C14 have an aluminium housing, and the RR-P1-6-C14 adds an internal RMS current ammeter and an external earth facility. The RR-FP1-6 description says 4 and 6 way PDUs fit horizontally between the 19 inch profiles, with larger sizes designed for vertical installation.

ModelSocketsRatingNotes
Adastra 776.490UK6 UK10AResettable circuit breaker
Adastra 776.491UK8 UK (BS1363)13A total1U, 1.8m lead
Adastra 776.495UK10 IEC C1313A total, 10A per socketMaster switch
Adastra 776.497UK2 UK and 8 IEC1U, 1.8m lead
Connectix RR-FP1-6BS1363 UKNot listedLED ammeter, aluminium housing
Connectix RR-P1-6-C14BS1363 UKNot listedLED ammeter, external earth facility

Brands we stock in Rack-Mount PDUs

Adastra, All-Rack and Connectix Cabling Systems.

Adastra makes the 1U rackmount units, and Connectix the aluminium-housed units with a built-in LED ammeter.

Related categories

Mount a PDU in one of the server racks and cabinets, see the full power distribution units (PDUs) range, and keep the rack running through a power cut with an uninterruptible power supply. See also Surge Protection Devices (SPD).

Frequently asked questions

What is a rack-mount PDU?

A rack-mount PDU is a strip of mains sockets built to fit a 19 inch rack, so cabinet equipment runs from one supply lead. The Adastra 776.490UK, 776.491UK, 776.495UK and 776.497UK are 1U units that run from a hard-wired 1.8m lead with a UK plug. Connectix units such as the RR-FP1-6 have BS1363 UK sockets.

Should I choose UK or IEC sockets on a rack PDU?

Choose by the plugs on the equipment in the rack. Servers and switches with an IEC inlet connect by IEC lead to the C13 sockets on the Adastra 776.495UK, while equipment with UK plugs needs the BS1363 sockets on the 776.490UK or 776.491UK. The 776.497UK mixes 2 UK and 8 IEC sockets for a rack that holds both kinds.

How many PDU sockets do I need?

Count the plugs in the cabinet and allow a spare socket or two for equipment added later. The Adastra 776.490UK has 6 UK sockets, the 776.491UK 8 UK sockets, the 776.495UK 10 IEC C13 sockets and the 776.497UK 2 UK plus 8 IEC sockets. The All-Rack PDU4HSUR is a 4 way UK unit.

How much current can a rack PDU supply?

As much as its stated current rating allows, so add up the running current of the connected equipment and keep it within that figure. The Adastra 776.495UK is rated 13A in total and 10A per socket, the 776.491UK has a maximum total current of 13A, and the 776.490UK is rated 10A.

What does a resettable circuit breaker do on a PDU?

A resettable circuit breaker is circuit protection that can be reset after it operates, rather than a fuse that must be replaced. The Adastra 776.490UK has a resettable 10A circuit breaker and a master switch. The 776.495UK has a master switch for circuit protection instead.

How much rack space does a PDU take?

A 1U horizontal PDU takes one unit of rack height, while a vertical PDU mounts on the back profile of a floor-standing cabinet. The Adastra 776.490UK, 776.491UK, 776.495UK and 776.497UK each take 1U in a 19 inch rack. Connectix RackyRax PDUs above 6 way, such as the RR-P2-12, are designed for vertical installation.

How long is the power lead on a rack PDU?

It varies by model, so check that the stated lead length reaches the wall socket or UPS from where the PDU sits. The Adastra 776.490UK, 776.491UK, 776.495UK and 776.497UK each have a hard-wired 1.8m lead with a UK plug, fixed rather than detachable. The All-Rack PDU4HSUR comes with a UK lead.

Can I see how much current a PDU is drawing?

Yes, if the PDU has a built-in ammeter, which displays the current drawn by the connected equipment. Connectix units such as the RR-FP1-6 and RR-P1-6-C14 have a built-in blue LED ammeter, and the RR-P1-6-C14 also has an internal RMS current ammeter. Connectix offers standard and filtered versions with different input plugs, so confirm the part number before ordering a match.

Does a rack PDU mount horizontally or vertically?

Either, depending on the model: horizontal PDUs fit across the 19 inch profiles, and vertical PDUs mount on the back profile of a floor-standing cabinet. The Adastra 776.490UK, 776.491UK, 776.495UK and 776.497UK mount horizontally in 1U of a 19 inch rack. Connectix 4 and 6 way RackyRax PDUs such as the RR-FP1-6 fit horizontally between the cabinet's 19 inch profiles, with larger sizes designed for vertical installation.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
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Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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