I know that the PDU is 16A. I never stated that it was 20A.
My original question, which has yet to be answered, is can the PDU run 16 Amps continuous or do I have to use the 80% rule and only run it at 12.8 Amps.
If someone here has server room experience I would like to know an answer to that question.
EDIT: After more google searching this is the best I could find as an answer to my question:
Some of the APC PDUs I've had had circuit breakers, some haven't. If there's a breaker on it, it will be labeled with the trip value.
https://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1158437Yes, I'm aware of what you're asking. That's what I was answering, it sounds like it's 16A rated not 20A rated. If it was 16A continuous then it would obviously have to be a 20A breaker to handle that power. No?
If the breaker says 16A on it, it's probably not derated. The easiest way to tell would be to push 15A of power through it and see if it trips. If it trips, it's not derated.
To reply to some of your other points... The 6-20R/P don't come loose.. They're also like $1.50 for 2 outlets and you're using the exact same length, gauge and count of wire. The only thing that changes is you've added a couple boxes to hold the outlets.
Here's my old mine...
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/ann-bvshost-bitcoin-miner-hosting-70-to-75-per-kw-873046I know a little something about what i'm talking about.. Even if my name is senseless.. We had 10MW capacity and 1MW built out before the 2015 crash shut us down.
Whats more interesting to me these days are these tripp-lite units using 415/240Y. You can place a single primary voltage -> step down at multi-mw level to 415/240. From there you can use 480/277 panels to deliver insane amounts of power to your racks. These tripp-lites are hardwired. There is one caveat though, going this method increases AIC and it is
recommended required you add in-line fusible disconnects to reduce AIC. The fusible disconnects can be rated above the breaker amperage so that they never blow. The fuse itself though will reduce AIC due to it's design.
DO NOT DO THIS UNLESS YOU HAVE AN ELECTRICIAN WHO KNOWS WTF AIC IS AND HOW TO CALCULATE IT. THERE IS ARC FLASH POTENTIAL HERE. Most electricians haven't a clue. This a european style electrical system thats used a lot in iceland for instance. It's still 60hz (in the usa) but in EU (50hz) they have a tendency to use fusible disconnects more than they use breakers. The fusible disconnects reduce AIC and arc flash potential. By reducing the number of transformers and step downs they significantly reduce the cost of building and maintaining their electrical grid.
https://www.tripplite.com/28.8kw-3-phase-switched-pdu-240-230-220v-outlets-24-c13-6-c19-hardwire-415-400-380v-input-0u-vertical~PDU3XVSRHWBI suspect that using these will pay for itself by reducing man hours during installation/setup. Plus, who wouldn't want API based remote reboot? -- In addition you'll save costs on various panels, sub panels, isolation transformers, wiring costs, electrician costs, etc, etc. I expect a 415/240 setup at multi-mw to cost about 50-75% of a traditional 480/277 with isolation step down.
@sundownz let me know if this is interesting to you. Happy to talk to your electrician. I really want to see one of these setup but have no use for it myself at present. You're probably getting close to filling up your transformer by now.