Do APC Rack PDUs Provide Surge Protection?

Issue:
Clarification is needed on whether APC Rack Power Distribution Units (PDUs) provide built-in surge protection.

Product Line:
APC Rack PDUs (including Basic, Metered, Switched, and Metered-by-Outlet models)

Environment:
All Serial Numbers

Cause:
There is a common misconception that Rack PDUs inherently provide surge protection, leading to confusion during equipment planning and deployment.

Resolution:
APC Rack PDUs do not include built-in surge protection. These devices are designed primarily for power distribution not for power conditioning or surge suppression. Instead, APC Rack PDUs are intended to be used in conjunction with an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), which typically includes surge protection features. The UPS acts as the first line of defense against power anomalies, including surges. If surge protection is required and a UPS is not in use, it is recommended to install a dedicated surge protection device upstream of the PDU.
For any questions, feel free to get in touch with our Customer Care Center at https://www.apc.com/us/en/support/.

Released for: Schneider Electric Canada