CyberPower PDU81005 switched metered-by-outlet rack PDU, 20 A, 8 outlets
A switched metered-by-outlet rack PDU, and the widest price dispersion of any unit in this category.
CyberPower PDU81005 switched metered-by-outlet rack PDU, 20 A, 8 outlets is one of 5 power distribution units tracked in the SecondWatt catalogue, each with specifications, lead times and indicative secondary-market pricing.
CyberPower PDU81005 dossier: a switched metered-by-outlet rack PDU rather than a monitored one, with 8 C13 outlets, observed pricing and inspection guidance.
Why it matters
The same 8-outlet SKU trades between 596 and 1,116 dollars across three channels against a 1,300 dollar manufacturer list, an 87% spread on identical hardware.
Who buys it
Colocation and enterprise operators who need remote reboot and per-outlet consumption data at small cabinet scale, and edge sites where an 8-outlet 1U unit is the whole rack. The buyer is choosing capability over outlet count: at roughly 75 to 140 dollars per outlet this is among the most expensive ways in the category to buy an outlet.
Role in the data center
Remote reboot and per-outlet consumption measurement in small cabinets, edge sites and network closets, where 8 outlets covers the whole rack and a 1U slot is available.
Key specifications
| Metering tier | switched metered-by-outlet |
|---|---|
| Input voltage | 100 to 240 single phase VAC |
| Maximum current | 20, derated to 16 continuous A |
| Inlet | IEC 60320 C20 |
| Outlets | 8 x C13 on a single circuit |
| Metering accuracy | no class or standard cited on any located document |
| Network protocols | HTTPS, SNMP v1 and v3, SSH v2, RADIUS, LDAPv3, Syslog |
| Modbus TCP and Redfish | not listed in any protocol list located |
| Dimensions | 17.05 x 1.75 x 4.41 in (433 x 44 x 112 mm) |
| Weight | 4.63 lb or 2.1 kg |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 55 degrees C |
| Environmental sensor | optional through an RJ45 port |
| Listings | UL 62368 per the manufacturer page; a distributor datasheet cites the withdrawn UL 60950-1 |
| Warranty | 3 years limited, 5-year extension SKU available |
| Manufacturer list price | 1,300 USD against street pricing from 596 |
Technical summary
Tier: switched metered-by-outlet, the top rung of CyberPower's four-tier ladder Input: 100 to 240 VAC, single phase, 50 or 60 Hz Current: 20 A maximum, derated to 16 A continuous Inlet: IEC 60320 C20; outlets 8 x C13 on 1 circuit Metering: real-time per-outlet current, voltage and kilowatts Metering accuracy: no class or standard cited on any document located Network: HTTP, HTTPS, SNMP v1 and v3, SSH v2, Telnet, FTP, RADIUS, LDAPv3, Windows AD, NTP, Syslog Display: multifunction LCD showing amperage, voltage, kilowatts and IP address Form factor: 1U rackmount at 17.05 by 1.75 by 4.41 in and 4.63 lb Operating temperature: 0 to 55 degrees C at 0 to 95% non-condensing humidity Listings: UL 62368 per the manufacturer page, with a distributor datasheet still citing UL 60950-1 Warranty: 3-year limited, with a 5-year extension SKU available
Configurations and options
A 1U horizontal build is standard on this SKU, with 0U vertical and wall-mount configurations elsewhere in the family. Rack brackets in two lengths and a cord retention tray are included, and an environmental probe is the one significant option.
Compatibility and dependencies
The C20 inlet needs a matching C19 cord from the rack whip, and the single-circuit design means all 8 outlets share one 16 A continuous budget. No published model code decode exists, so a used nameplate does not resolve to a configuration without the datasheet.
Pricing and availability
Published price range: $596 - $1,116 per unit against a $1,300 list. Trend: flat Lead time, new: Distributor stock, with at least one channel on backorder.
Lifecycle and maintenance
A rack PDU has almost no wearing parts in the power path, so service life is set by firmware support rather than hardware fatigue. Warranty terms cluster at two to five years: Raritan two extendable to five, Eaton three on the G4 against two on the G3, CyberPower three, and Vertiv five if registered within 120 days. What actually ends a unit's life is the controller: when a manufacturer stops issuing firmware, a networked PDU becomes an unpatchable device on a production network. That is why controller replaceability matters more than any mechanical specification here, and why Eaton publishing an upgrade path from its G3 network card to the G4 module, and Raritan shipping a hot-swappable controller, are the most commercially significant features in this category.
Common failure points
- Outlet relay failure — An outlet will not switch, or switches but does not report state, on a unit whose entire premium is remote control
- Firmware obsolescence — An unsupported controller leaves published vulnerabilities open on a device that can power-cycle production loads remotely
- Firmware licensing — Network management card firmware moved to paid subscription at one major manufacturer in Q3 2023
- Controller failure — The unit distributes power but loses metering, switching and network presence together
- Power-on state misconfiguration — Outlets energise or stay dark on restore against the operator's expectation, restarting or stranding loads
- Outlet retention wear — Contacts lose retention and a cord drops out under vibration
Inspection checklist
Metering tier — confirm whether the unit switches only, meters only, or does both, because 3 different products carry similar names Relay operation — cycle every outlet relay individually on and off, since relay failure is the defining wear mechanism of a switched unit Outlet state on power loss — confirm the configured power-on state per outlet, because a wrong default reboots a load the moment the unit is energised Switching sequence timing — confirm the per-outlet startup delay, which prevents an inrush event when a whole rack restarts Metering accuracy — published figures range from 0.5% to 3% across this category, a 6-fold spread that decides billing suitability Firmware version and support — confirm the unit can still receive firmware, because an unpatchable switched PDU is a remote-control surface on the network Firmware licensing — network management card firmware moved to paid subscription at one major manufacturer in Q3 2023, so confirm entitlement before purchase Known vulnerabilities — CVE-2021-22825 names APC AP7xxx and AP8xxx rack PDUs, and CVE-2024-6387 reached the Vertiv IMD-5 module, so check the advisory for the exact firmware Credentials and configuration — factory-reset the unit and confirm 0 residual accounts, because a used PDU frequently arrives with the previous owner's directory settings Inlet and plug — match the plug to the rack whip; L6-30P, L21-30P and IEC 60309 are not interchangeable Outlet count and mix — record C13, C19 and combination outlets separately, since dollars per outlet is the category price unit Breaker condition — exercise every branch breaker, because nuisance tripping is the most common in-service complaint Form factor and length — a 0U vertical unit is cut to a cabinet height and will not fit a shorter rack Daisy chain limit — confirm the published cascade maximum, which varies between 16 and 50 units by manufacturer Certification — confirm UL 62368-1 rather than the withdrawn UL 60950-1, superseded on 2020-12-20
Regional notes
North American product at 100 to 240 VAC with FCC Class A, CE and RoHS declarations alongside the safety listing. The listing discrepancy between the manufacturer page and a distributor datasheet should be resolved against the current revision before any compliance claim is published.