APC AP8858 – Metered Rack PDU 0U 3.7kW

Overview :

The APC AP8858 is a metered rack power distribution unit designed to deliver monitored AC power distribution inside enterprise racks and data center cabinets. Infrastructure engineers deploy this PDU to distribute branch circuit power while providing real-time load visibility, enabling operators to track power usage and avoid circuit overload conditions that could disrupt critical systems. It is commonly installed in high-density racks supporting servers, storage arrays, and network equipment.

The unit supports single-phase 208 V or 230 V input power with a rated current of 16 A, delivering approximately 3.3 kW at 208 V or up to 3.7 kW at 230 V. Power is distributed through 20 AC outlets consisting of eighteen IEC C13 receptacles and two IEC C19 outlets, allowing mixed connection of standard IT equipment and higher-draw devices such as blade chassis or large network switches. The input connection uses an IEC 60320 C20 inlet, enabling integration with common data center power cabling.

The AP8858 is built in a vertical 0U form factor intended for installation along the side of standard 19-inch racks or cabinets without consuming rack units. This approach preserves valuable rack space for compute and networking hardware while still providing high-density outlet distribution. The PDU can operate in elevated rack temperatures up to 60 °C, supporting deployments in dense server environments where cabinet thermal conditions are higher than room ambient.

Operational visibility is provided through an integrated LCD metering display and remote monitoring capabilities. The unit measures and logs voltage, current, real power (kW), and energy consumption (kWh). Remote access is supported through network management interfaces including web access, SNMP, and command-line tools, enabling centralized monitoring within data center infrastructure management systems and energy tracking platforms.

In a practical deployment scenario, the AP8858 is typically installed in enterprise racks hosting virtualization clusters, storage nodes, or high-density switching environments. Administrators use the metering capability to monitor branch utilization, balance loads between redundant PDUs, and detect abnormal power consumption patterns before a breaker trip occurs.

This PDU should not be used when outlet-level switching or per-outlet metering is required. In environments requiring remote reboot control or outlet-level power measurement, switched or switched-metered PDUs are more appropriate.

Key Features :

• 0U vertical rack mounting for zero rack space consumption
• 18 × C13 and 2 × C19 outlets for mixed IT equipment loads
• PDU-level power metering for volts, amps, kW and kWh
• Network management via Web, SNMP and CLI interfaces
• IEC C20 inlet supporting 208 V or 230 V rack power feeds