Vertiv Rpdu Monitored Outlet Level EC 30A 120/208V WYE 8.6KW Horizontal (24) Comb - VP6N32A2

Vertiv VP6N32A2 Monitored Outlet-Level PDU, 30A 3-Phase, 24-Outlet, 8.6kW Horizontal

Overview

The Vertiv VP6N32A2 is a horizontal, rack-mounted, monitored outlet-level power distribution unit built for dense data center environments where per-outlet visibility into current, voltage, and power consumption is the baseline requirement — not a premium add-on. Rated at 30A input via NEMA L21-30P and distributing up to 8.6kW across 24 mixed C13/C19 outlets on a three-phase 120/208V WYE circuit, it fits squarely in the middle of modern compute rack deployments: enough capacity for a fully loaded server row without overprovisioning on a single large PDU. The LCD display gives you local readout without needing a laptop, and the full protocol stack — SNMP v1/v2c/v3, HTTPS, SSH, LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS+, Modbus TCP — covers everything from legacy NMS integrations to hardened enterprise authentication frameworks.

If you're building or expanding a data center power infrastructure, the VP6N32A2 lands in the monitored-but-not-switched segment: you get granular telemetry on every outlet, but remote switching requires a different SKU. That distinction matters at budget time and should drive which model you specify.

Key Features

• Outlet-Level Monitoring (Current, Power, Voltage): All 24 outlets report individual current, power, and voltage — not just the aggregate input. That means you can pinpoint a runaway process drawing more than expected on a specific server without pulling your DCIM data and cross-referencing cabinet position. For capacity planning and chargeback billing by tenant or rack, this is the spec that justifies the per-unit cost delta over a basic metered PDU.
• 30A / 8.6kW Three-Phase Input (NEMA L21-30P): The L21-30P input plug means you need a three-phase circuit at the rack — plan your floor infrastructure accordingly. On a balanced WYE load across 24 outlets, you're looking at roughly 358W per circuit leg before hitting thermal limits. In mixed-density racks running a combination of 1U servers and GPU nodes, that headroom is real and usable.
• 24 Mixed C13/C19 Outlets: The combination of C13 and C19 receptacles lets you attach both standard 1U/2U servers (C14 cords) and higher-draw devices like UPS bypass modules, GPU servers, or storage arrays using C20 cords — without patch cords or adapter blocks adding failure points. Review the exact outlet layout in the Vertiv datasheet for your specific rack wiring plan.
• LCD Display: Local readout of load and status without needing network access. In colocation environments where remote access is constrained during provisioning, or during initial commissioning before SNMP is configured, the LCD cuts troubleshooting time significantly.
• SNMP v1/v2c/v3 + Modbus TCP: SNMP v3 provides authenticated, encrypted trap delivery to your NMS — relevant if your security team requires encrypted management traffic on the data center fabric. Modbus TCP extends integration to BMS and BACnet gateway systems common in facilities management layers, which most IT-only PDUs skip entirely.
• LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS+: Three enterprise AAA protocols on a single PDU means you can enforce role-based access using your existing directory infrastructure without managing local credentials per device. In environments with strict SOC 2 or ISO 27001 access control audit requirements, this is the checkbox that avoids a finding.
• SSH + HTTPS Management: Both encrypted management channels are supported out of the box — no telnet or HTTP exposure on the management interface. Relevant for environments where network scanning tools flag unencrypted management as a vulnerability.
• IPv4 + IPv6 Dual-Stack: Native IPv6 support means the PDU drops into modernized data center networks without address translation workarounds. For facilities mid-migration to IPv6, dual-stack means you're not forced to delay deployment pending network cutover.
• Syslog + SMTP + NTP: Syslog forwarding to your SIEM, email alerting via SMTP, and NTP time sync for accurate event timestamps — the three pillars of reliable audit logging in a managed data center. All three are on-device, no proxy required.
• 3m Power Cord: The 3-meter factory cable reaches overhead busway or floor PDU whips in standard 42U or 48U cabinets without extension cords. Verify overhead versus under-floor power drop position before finalizing installation.
• Horizontal 0U Mounting: Horizontal form factor mounts in a standard 1U rack space, preserving vertical U-space for compute — the right call in high-density rows where every U counts. Pair with appropriate rack mounting accessories for your cabinet rail type.

Integration and Compatibility

The VP6N32A2 integrates with Vertiv's Vertiv power management ecosystem and with third-party DCIM platforms via SNMP and Modbus TCP. The supported protocol list — DHCP, HTTP/HTTPS, NTP, LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS+, SNMP v1/v2c/v3, Syslog, SMTP, SSH, RSTP, Modbus TCP, IPv4/IPv6 — covers the full range of enterprise NMS and BMS integrations. USB and RJ-45 serial ports support local console access and potential sensor attachment depending on firmware version; confirm with Vertiv documentation for your specific firmware revision. The single RJ-45 Ethernet port handles all IP management traffic — plan for a dedicated management VLAN in multi-tenant or segmented network architectures. For environments requiring UPS integration upstream of the PDU, verify the UPS output connector matches the L21-30P input requirement on this unit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the input plug type on the VP6N32A2, and what circuit does it require?

A: The VP6N32A2 uses a NEMA L21-30P input plug, which requires a three-phase 120/208V WYE circuit rated at 30A. Verify that your facility's power infrastructure provides a three-phase 30A circuit with the correct receptacle before installation.

Q: Does the VP6N32A2 support remote outlet switching?

A: No. The VP6N32A2 is a monitored outlet-level PDU — it provides per-outlet telemetry (current, power, voltage) but does not support remote outlet on/off switching. If remote switching is required, you'll need to evaluate a different Vertiv PDU model with switched capability.

Q: Which network protocols does the VP6N32A2 support for management?

A: The VP6N32A2 supports DHCP, HTTP, HTTPS, IPv4, IPv6, LDAP, NTP, RADIUS, RSTP, SSH, SMTP, SNMP (v1/v2c/v3), Syslog, TACACS+, and Modbus TCP. This covers both enterprise IT management (NMS/SNMP) and facilities BMS integration (Modbus TCP).

Q: What outlet types are available on the VP6N32A2?

A: The VP6N32A2 provides 24 outlets in a combination of C13 and C19 coupler types, accommodating both standard server power cords (C14) and higher-current devices (C20) without adapters.

Q: Does the VP6N32A2 support dual-stack IPv4 and IPv6?

A: Yes. The VP6N32A2 supports both IPv4 and IPv6 natively, making it compatible with networks in any stage of IPv6 transition without requiring address translation workarounds.

Q: What is the mounting orientation of the VP6N32A2?

A: The VP6N32A2 is a horizontal-mount PDU designed for standard rack installation. It occupies rack space in the horizontal orientation, preserving vertical U-space for compute equipment.

Ted Perry

The VP6N32A2 is one of those PDUs that earns its place in the spec sheet through protocol depth rather than headline wattage. The full AAA stack — LDAP, RADIUS, and TACACS+ on a single unit — is something you typically see only on network gear, not power distribution. In an audited environment, that matters. The unit delivers 8.6kW across 24 C13/C19 outlets on a NEMA L21-30P three-phase feed, and the per-outlet monitoring of current, voltage, and power means your NMS gets granular real-time telemetry, not just aggregate circuit load.

Technical Highlights:

• SNMP v3 with Encrypted Traps: Authenticated, encrypted SNMP v3 delivery — not just v1/v2c — means management traffic on the PDU fabric meets the same encryption bar as your network switches. Relevant if your security team actively scans for unencrypted management protocols.
• Modbus TCP: The Modbus TCP stack bridges IT monitoring and facilities BMS in a single device. Most data center PDUs force a separate gateway or BACnet translator; the VP6N32A2 skips that layer, which simplifies PUE metering integrations in colo and enterprise facilities environments.
• 24 Mixed C13/C19 Outlets on 3-Phase WYE: With the load balanced across three legs of a 208V WYE circuit at 30A input, you have practical headroom of roughly 358W per phase leg per outlet slot — enough for high-density mixed server/GPU rows without hitting the 80% derate ceiling prematurely.

Deployment Considerations:

• The NEMA L21-30P input is a locking three-phase connector — not a standard 5-15P or L6-30P. Confirm your raised-floor or overhead busway whip terminates in L21-30P or budget for a custom whip fabrication before the unit ships to site.
• The VP6N32A2 has a single RJ-45 Ethernet management port. In multi-tenant colo deployments where management network segmentation is enforced at the switch port level, pre-stage your VLAN assignment before racking; there's no secondary management interface to fall back to if the primary VLAN is misconfigured.

The VP6N32A2 is the right call for enterprise data center rows or colo cage deployments where per-outlet power telemetry feeds a DCIM system, AAA authentication needs to align with directory services, and Modbus TCP integration with a BMS is on the scope — particularly in financial services or healthcare data centers where access audit trails on power infrastructure are a compliance requirement, not an afterthought.