Vertiv AS4A0NCVGNNXLKB 5kVA Scalable to 20kVA N+1 Modular UPS
Overview
The Vertiv AS4A0NCVGNNXLKB is a 5kVA / 4.5kW hardwire UPS module designed for data centers, network closets, and mission-critical infrastructure where you need the ability to grow power capacity without replacing hardware. Starting at 5kVA and scaling to a full 20kVA / 18kW within the same frame, this unit is built around an N+1 redundancy architecture — meaning one module always sits in reserve, so a single module failure doesn't take down a load. For security operations centers, surveillance server rooms, and access control infrastructure where uptime is non-negotiable, that redundancy model matters more than raw wattage.
Hardwire input (L-L-G) and hardwire output with optional PODs (Power Output Distribution) make the AS4A0NCVGNNXLKB a fit for permanently installed rack and room power architectures rather than plug-and-play desktop applications. This is a commercial-grade, infrastructure-class device intended for professional installation.
Key Features
- 5kVA / 4.5kW Starting Capacity: Enough headroom for a mid-density server rack, a surveillance NVR cluster, or a core network switch stack — and you're not locked into that ceiling. The module-based design lets you add capacity incrementally as your load grows, avoiding the capital expense of buying a 20kVA unit on day one.
- Scalable to 20kVA / 18kW: The 20kVA / 18kW ceiling means this platform can grow from a single-closet deployment to a full server room without a forklift upgrade. Security integrators deploying phased camera or access control expansions can add UPS capacity in step with device count rather than front-loading the investment.
- N+1 Redundancy Architecture: One module always operates in standby — if any active module fails, the standby absorbs the load with no gap in protection. For surveillance infrastructure recording 24/7, a single module fault doesn't produce a recording gap or a locked-out access control door.
- 15-Minute Full-Load Runtime: At full 5kVA / 4.5kW draw, the AS4A0NCVGNNXLKB delivers 15 minutes of runtime — long enough for an orderly generator start, a controlled shutdown sequence, or riding out a brief utility interruption without touching stored footage or corrupting active databases.
- 37-Minute Half-Load Runtime: At half load (roughly 2.25kW — a typical mid-density security equipment rack), runtime extends to 37 minutes. Real-world security deployments rarely hit nameplate wattage; this runtime figure is the one most operators will actually see.
- Hardwire Input (L-L-G) with Optional POD Output: Hardwire connections eliminate the single-point failure of a NEMA plug and are required by electrical code for this power class. Optional POD (Power Output Distribution) modules let you configure outlet types and counts for the downstream load — useful when a rack mixes IEC C13 loads (switches, NVRs) with C19 loads (servers, high-draw appliances) without external PDUs.
- Scalable Frame Supports Family Siblings: The AS4 platform family spans 5kVA through 20kVA in a consistent frame, so the installation, wiring topology, and facility infrastructure you commission today don't need to change as you scale. The 10kVA sibling (AS4B series) and 15kVA sibling (AS4C series) share the same hardwire I/O topology and POD output structure.
Integration and Compatibility
The AS4A0NCVGNNXLKB is designed for integration into larger Vertiv power infrastructure ecosystems. Hardwire L-L-G input is the standard three-wire connection for this power class and requires a licensed electrician for installation — plan for this in project scheduling. The optional POD output configuration is particularly relevant when integrating with network switches, NVRs, and access control servers that may have mixed power-inlet requirements.
For multi-module N+1 configurations targeting the 20kVA ceiling, each module added to the frame increases both redundancy depth and total available capacity. Integrators planning a UPS infrastructure refresh should verify the facility's electrical service capacity before specifying the fully loaded 20kVA configuration, as 18kW at the output requires corresponding upstream circuit sizing. A UPS sizing and runtime planning guide can help establish the correct load budget before specifying module count.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum scalable capacity of the AS4A0NCVGNNXLKB platform?
A: The AS4A0NCVGNNXLKB frame scales to 20kVA / 18kW. The unit ships as a 5kVA / 4.5kW module; additional modules bring total capacity up to the 20kVA ceiling within the same enclosure.
Q: What runtime can I expect at full load versus half load?
A: At full 5kVA / 4.5kW load, runtime is 15 minutes. At half load (approximately 2.25kW), runtime extends to 37 minutes. Most real-world security equipment racks operate well below nameplate wattage, so 37 minutes is a more representative figure for typical deployments.
Q: Does the AS4A0NCVGNNXLKB require hardwire installation?
A: Yes. Both input and output are hardwire (L-L-G input; hardwire output with optional POD modules). This is not a plug-in unit — professional electrical installation is required. Factor this into project scheduling and budget.
Q: What does N+1 redundancy mean for this UPS?
A: N+1 means one module operates in standby beyond the number needed to support the load. If any active module fails, the standby module absorbs the load without interruption. For surveillance and access control environments that cannot tolerate downtime, this architecture provides a meaningful hardware fault tolerance layer.
Q: How does this unit differ from the AS3A0NCVGNNXLKB?
A: The AS3 series scales to 15kVA / 13.5kW maximum. The AS4 series (including the AS4A0NCVGNNXLKB) scales to 20kVA / 18kW. If your growth plan could push past 15kVA, the AS4 platform avoids a future frame replacement. Both share the same 5kVA starting capacity and similar runtime figures at this power level.
Q: Can I add POD output modules after initial installation?
A: The output supports optional POD configuration. Whether PODs can be field-added post-installation depends on the specific frame configuration and should be confirmed with Vertiv or the installing contractor before commissioning.
The AS4A0NCVGNNXLKB is the entry point to Vertiv's 20kVA scalable UPS platform — and the 20kVA ceiling is the spec that drives the decision to buy this frame over the AS3 series. Starting at 5kVA with 15 minutes of full-load runtime and 37 minutes at half load, it covers the immediate need; the platform architecture covers the five-year plan without a chassis swap.
Technical Highlights:
- 20kVA / 18kW Scale Ceiling: The AS4 frame's 20kVA limit is 33% higher than the AS3 series' 15kVA cap — a meaningful difference when you're projecting load growth across a multi-phase security infrastructure buildout.
- 37-Minute Half-Load Runtime: A 2.25kW half-load scenario is realistic for a mid-density NVR and switch rack. At that draw, 37 minutes of battery runtime is enough to outlast most utility disturbances and execute a full controlled shutdown if needed.
- Hardwire L-L-G with Optional PODs: The POD output option is underutilized in specs sheets but matters operationally — it lets you match outlet configuration to load mix at commissioning rather than bolting on PDUs as an afterthought.
Deployment Considerations:
- Hardwire input and output means this unit doesn't go live without a licensed electrician on-site. Build that into project timelines — it's not a same-day rack-and-stack item.
- The 5kVA starting module covers a modest load footprint. If your day-one load is already close to 5kVA, price out the 10kVA sibling (AS4B series) — starting at headroom is cheaper than adding modules on a short cycle.
The AS4A0NCVGNNXLKB fits best in a security operations center or surveillance server room where the initial rack is modest but the facility plan calls for camera count, NVR capacity, or access control expansion over a 3–5 year horizon — and where a module fault during that window cannot produce a recording or access gap.
