Vertiv Rpdu Metered Upgradeable 16A - VP3U2100

Vertiv VP3U2100 Metered Upgradeable Rack PDU

Overview

The Vertiv VP3U2100 is a 1U horizontal rack-mount power distribution unit built for data center and server room environments where current visibility and dense outlet capacity are operational requirements. It delivers 20A of total capacity across 24 IEC C13 outlets from a single C20 input, accepts 100–240V input across 50/60 Hz infrastructure, and ships with a 3-meter input cord — enough reach to hit overhead or under-floor distribution panels without an extension. The "Upgradeable" designation in the VP3U2100 product line indicates this unit supports optional monitoring upgrades, giving you a migration path to full environmental or remote monitoring without swapping hardware.

Key Features

• 24 IEC C13 Outlets: Twenty-four C13 receptacles in a 1U footprint means you can service a fully populated 1U-to-2U server density without running a second PDU or splitting circuits. C13 connects directly to IEC C14 server PSU tails — no adapter chains.
• 20A / 3600W / 3600 VA Load Capacity: The 20A maximum current rating with 3600W capacity handles dual-PSU servers, dense network gear, and KVM switches without breaker trips. At 100–240V nominal input, this unit works in both North American 120V/208V environments and international 230V rack deployments.
• Metered Current Monitoring: The built-in LED display shows real-time current draw — no guessing whether you're approaching the circuit breaker limit. For data center ops teams managing PUE or balancing phase loads, having current metering directly on the PDU eliminates the need for an external clamp meter during load balancing checks.
• C20 Input Coupler: The C20 inlet accepts standard C19-to-C20 PDU whips or direct C20 connections from distribution panels. The included 3-meter cable gives you flexibility in rack positioning — horizontal mount at the top or bottom of the cabinet with enough cord to reach typical branch-circuit outlets.
• 1U Horizontal Rack Form Factor: Mounts in a standard 19-inch rack in 1U. Horizontal orientation keeps the PDU accessible at the front or rear of the rack without consuming outlet real estate on vertical PDU panels. Black finish matches standard rack infrastructure.
• Wide Input Voltage Range (100–240V, 50/60 Hz): A single SKU works across global deployments — North American 120V/208V branch circuits and international 230V infrastructure without rewiring or adapter kits. Relevant for multi-site deployments standardizing on a single PDU model.
• Upgradeable Architecture: The PDU is designed to accept monitoring upgrades — moving from metered to monitored capability without replacing the base unit. This matters for phased DCIM deployments where full telemetry is a future requirement but budget or timeline doesn't support it at initial rack build.
• Compliance Certifications (CE, cUL, UL, UKCA, RoHS, FCC, RCM, China RoHS): UL and cUL listings satisfy most North American facilities and insurance requirements. CE and UKCA cover EU and UK deployments. RoHS and China RoHS compliance supports procurement policies that restrict restricted substances. FCC marks it legal for US commercial deployment without additional RF approvals.

Integration & Compatibility

The VP3U2100 connects to any IEC C14 or C20 distribution infrastructure and feeds standard C13-equipped servers, switches, KVM units, and storage gear. The 432mm width fits standard 19-inch EIA/IEC rack cabinets. For environments already running Vertiv power infrastructure, this PDU integrates with Vertiv's DCIM and monitoring ecosystem when the monitoring upgrade module is added. The unit is compatible with any rack PDU deployment requiring metered current visibility at the outlet strip level. If you're planning a monitored rollout with remote access and per-outlet switching, review the higher-tier Vertiv PDU families — the VP3U2100 provides current metering but not remote outlet control at the base configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the maximum load the VP3U2100 can handle?

A: The VP3U2100 is rated for 20A maximum current with a 3600W / 3600 VA load capacity. Input voltage range is 100–240V at 50/60 Hz.

Q: What outlet types does the VP3U2100 have?

A: It has 24 IEC C13 outlets. The input uses an IEC C20 coupler. A 3-meter input cable is included.

Q: Can the VP3U2100 be upgraded to provide remote monitoring?

A: Yes — the "Upgradeable" designation means this unit supports optional monitoring upgrades to add remote monitoring capability without replacing the base hardware. Check Vertiv's current accessory options for the specific upgrade module.

Q: What certifications does the VP3U2100 carry?

A: The VP3U2100 holds CE, cUL, UL, UKCA, RoHS, RCM, FCC, and China RoHS certifications, covering North American, EU, UK, Australian, and Chinese market requirements.

Q: What rack space does the VP3U2100 occupy?

A: It occupies 1U in a standard 19-inch rack in a horizontal mounting orientation. The unit width is 432mm.

Q: Does the VP3U2100 provide per-outlet switching or remote control?

A: No — at the base configuration, the VP3U2100 provides current metering via an LED display. Remote outlet switching is not a feature of this model; consider higher-tier Vertiv switched PDU models if remote outlet control is required.

Ted Perry

The VP3U2100 sits in a practical middle tier for rack power distribution — metered current visibility via the front LED display without the cost of full IPMI-style remote management. For most IT teams managing physical data center racks, knowing real-time current draw without logging into a management interface is the daily use case, and that's exactly what this unit delivers. The 20A / 3600W capacity and 24-outlet density make it a reasonable fit for standard compute rows where you're running 8–12U of gear per PDU.

Technical Highlights:

• 24 C13 Outlets / 1U: Twenty-four outlets in 1U is a solid density ratio — most comparable PDUs in this class offer 16–20 outlets at the same form factor. Reduces the number of PDUs per rack and simplifies circuit planning.
• 100–240V / 50–60 Hz Input: Single-SKU global voltage compatibility means one part number works in North American 120V/208V and international 230V environments. Useful for multi-region deployments or mixed-voltage colocation facilities.
• Upgradeable Architecture: The base metered unit can be upgraded to monitored capability without replacing the PDU. In phased DCIM rollouts, this avoids a forklift upgrade when the monitoring budget comes available — the hardware investment carries forward.

Deployment Considerations:

• The C20 input with 3-meter cord covers most standard rack-to-distribution-panel distances, but verify your specific cabinet depth and panel location before assuming reach — 3 meters is the full cable length, not just the flexible portion.
• Current metering is aggregate (total load), not per-outlet — if you need per-outlet metering or switching, the VP3U2100 is not the right model; step up to Vertiv's switched/monitored PDU line.

Best-fit scenario: a colocation or enterprise data center row where circuits are pre-balanced at the panel level and the ops team needs on-unit current confirmation during maintenance — not a DCIM dashboard-driven environment where remote telemetry per outlet is the standard operating model.