Most small racks run on plain 120V power. A network closet with a switch, a router, and a NAS. An AV cabinet with an amp and a couple of streamers. A home lab with two or three servers. None of that needs 240V, but all of it needs more outlets than the back of the rack has, and it needs them mounted, not lying on the floor.
That is the job of a 1U rack mount power strip like the Valiant Power 8-Outlet 120V Rack PDU. It bolts into one rack space and gives you eight standard outlets right where the equipment is. The one real decision is whether you need the 15A or the 20A version.
15A vs 20A: which one do you need?
It comes down to the circuit feeding the rack, not the gear in it.
- 15A version: for a standard 15A household or office circuit. This is what most wall outlets are.
- 20A version: for a dedicated 20A circuit. If your electrician ran a 20A line for the rack, use this one to get the extra headroom.
Not sure what you have? Look at the breaker for that outlet. It will say 15 or 20 on the handle. Pick the PDU that matches it. Putting a 20A strip on a 15A circuit does not give you more power, it just means the breaker trips before the strip does.
How much can you plug in?
Electrical code treats anything running three hours or more as a continuous load, and continuous loads should stay at or under 80% of the breaker rating. Rack gear runs all day, so plan with these numbers:
| Circuit | Continuous limit | Watts at 120V |
|---|---|---|
| 15A | 12A | about 1,440W |
| 20A | 16A | about 1,920W |
For context, a typical network switch draws 30 to 150 watts, a small NAS 30 to 60, and a 1U server anywhere from 150 to 400 under load. Eight outlets can fill up fast with servers, so add up the nameplate ratings before you commit.
What you get on this unit
| Outlets | 8 x NEMA 5-15 |
| Voltage | 120V |
| Amperage | 15A or 20A, your choice |
| Surge protection | 4,500A |
| Size | 1U, standard 19 inch rack |
| Mounting ears | Rotate 360 degrees |
| Switch | Master on/off |
The rotating ears are more useful than they sound
The mounting ears turn a full 360 degrees. That means you are not stuck mounting the strip facing forward in the rack. You can face the outlets toward the back where the power cords actually are, or turn the ears flat and screw the strip to a wall, the side of a desk, or the underside of a workbench. In a shallow wall-mount rack, that flexibility can save you a lot of cable mess.
Where it fits best
- Network and telecom closets
- AV and media cabinets
- Small office server racks
- Home labs
- Workbenches and test stations
If your rack is drawing serious power, like GPUs, multiple dual-PSU servers, or mining hardware, you have outgrown 120V. Look at a 240V unit such as our 30A 240V metered PDU, which gives you far more capacity on a single circuit.
Want a locking plug instead?
A standard plug can get pulled out by accident when someone is working behind the rack. If that worries you, our 8-outlet PDU with an L5-20P twist-lock plug locks into the wall receptacle so it cannot be bumped loose.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the 20A version on a normal outlet?
Only if that outlet is on a 20A circuit. On a 15A circuit, stick with the 15A version.
Does it have surge protection?
Yes, it is rated at 4,500A of surge protection to help guard connected gear against spikes.
Will it fit a wall-mount rack?
Yes. It is a standard 19 inch, 1U unit, the same width used by wall-mount and floor racks.
Can I mount it somewhere other than a rack?
Yes. Rotate the ears and it can be screwed to a wall, desk, or bench.
Not sure which version fits your setup? Email support@valiantpowerco.com and tell us what you are plugging in. Or see the 8-Outlet 120V Rack PDU.