Vertiv VP6N31A0 Monitored Outlet-Level Horizontal PDU 30A 120V
Overview
The Vertiv VP6N31A0 is a 0U horizontal rack PDU engineered for environments where outlet-level power visibility is not optional — think high-density compute rows, network closets, or any rack where you need to know exactly how much load each device is pulling without logging into the server itself. At 30A / 120V input (NEMA L5-30P plug) and 2.8 kW total capacity distributed across twelve NEMA 5-20R receptacles, the VP6N31A0 delivers the granularity that monitored PDUs exist to provide: per-outlet current, voltage, and power readings accessible over the network in real time.
This is a single-phase, horizontally-mounted unit finished in black with an onboard LED display — so local status is readable without pulling up a browser. The unit ships with a 3-meter power cord, giving you workable slack for most two-post and four-post rack deployments without extension adapters.
Key Features
- Outlet-Level Monitoring (Current, Power, Voltage): Unlike unit-level PDUs that report a single aggregate draw, the VP6N31A0 tracks current, power, and voltage at each of the twelve outlets independently. That means you can identify which specific device is spiking, trending toward capacity, or drawing abnormally — before it becomes a circuit trip at 2 a.m.
- 12x NEMA 5-20R Receptacles: The 5-20R outlet format accepts both standard 5-15P (15A) plugs and 5-20P (20A) plugs, so you can mix 1U switches, 1U servers, and 20A-rated appliances in the same rack without hunting for adapters. All twelve outlets are independently monitored.
- 30A / NEMA L5-30P Input at 120V: The L5-30P twist-lock input draws up to 30A from a 120V branch circuit, supporting a usable load of approximately 2.8 kW. Size the branch circuit at the full 30A — do not derate to 24A unless your facility has specific policy requirements for continuous loads.
- SNMP v1/v2c/v3 + Modbus TCP: SNMP v3 provides authenticated, encrypted OID polling — critical if your PDUs are on a shared management VLAN with other infrastructure. Modbus TCP extends compatibility to building management systems and DCIM platforms that speak industrial protocols, not just IT-standard SNMP.
- HTTPS, SSH, LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS+: Enterprise authentication is built in. RADIUS and TACACS+ integration means PDU access can be governed by your existing AAA infrastructure — no separate local credential management for each unit. LDAP covers directory-based role assignment. SSH secures CLI sessions; HTTPS secures the web UI.
- IPv4 + IPv6 Dual Stack: Native IPv6 support means this unit can participate in next-generation network architectures without a NAT layer. For environments mid-migration to IPv6, dual-stack operation means no forced choice.
- NTP Synchronization: Time-stamped outlet-level events (load changes, alarms, threshold crossings) are only useful if the timestamps are accurate. NTP keeps the PDU clock synchronized to your infrastructure, so Syslog and SNMP trap data correlates cleanly with other systems.
- Syslog + SMTP Alerting: Threshold alerts can push to a Syslog collector or trigger email notifications via SMTP — your choice of integration path depending on whether your NOC is watching a SIEM or an inbox.
- Onboard LED Display: Local status readout without network access. Useful during initial commissioning, physical audits, or network outages when the management interface is unreachable.
- 1x RJ-45 Ethernet, 1x Serial, 1x USB: The Ethernet port handles all network-based management. The serial port supports out-of-band console access — useful for recovery scenarios. The USB port supports firmware updates or local configuration without a network path.
- 50/60 Hz Input Frequency: Accepts either mains frequency, relevant for deployments near the US/international boundary or for lab environments running imported equipment on 50 Hz sources.
- 0U Horizontal Mounting: Horizontal 0U form factor mounts at the top or bottom of a standard rack without consuming a rack unit — preserving valuable 1U slots for revenue-generating equipment. Verify your rack's top/bottom horizontal mount rail compatibility before ordering.
Integration and Compatibility
The VP6N31A0 supports a broad protocol stack — SNMP v1/v2c/v3, Modbus TCP, HTTPS, SSH, LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS+, NTP, SMTP, Syslog, DHCP, RSTP — designed for integration with enterprise DCIM platforms, BMS systems, and NOC toolchains. SNMP MIBs are the standard integration path for most monitoring platforms; verify MIB availability from Vertiv for your specific firmware version. Modbus TCP opens a secondary path for facilities-side BMS integration without requiring SNMP infrastructure on that network segment.
Pair this unit with a compatible rack PDU and power management infrastructure and consult the managed network switches section for PoE and management switching options that share the same AAA and Syslog infrastructure. For broader Vertiv power and cooling solutions, the VP6N31A0 fits within a larger Vertiv ecosystem including UPS, cooling, and infrastructure management platforms. If you are evaluating monitored versus switched PDUs, see the PDU buying guide for a breakdown of monitoring tiers and when outlet switching justifies the cost premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What input plug does the VP6N31A0 use, and what branch circuit does it require?
A: The VP6N31A0 uses a NEMA L5-30P twist-lock input plug and requires a 30A, 120V single-phase branch circuit. Total capacity is 2.8 kW. Plan the branch circuit for the full 30A nameplate — do not share the circuit with other loads.
Q: Does the VP6N31A0 support per-outlet switching, or is it monitoring only?
A: The VP6N31A0 is a monitored PDU — it provides per-outlet current, power, and voltage visibility but does not support remote outlet switching. If you need the ability to remotely power-cycle individual outlets, you would need a switched or switched+monitored PDU in the Vertiv Geist lineup.
Q: What network management protocols does the VP6N31A0 support?
A: The unit supports SNMP v1/v2c/v3, Modbus TCP, HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS+, NTP, SMTP, Syslog, DHCP, RSTP, IPv4, and IPv6. This covers virtually all enterprise IT and facilities management integration scenarios.
Q: Can the VP6N31A0 integrate with enterprise AAA systems like Active Directory or RADIUS?
A: Yes. The VP6N31A0 supports LDAP (for Active Directory integration), RADIUS, and TACACS+ for authentication and authorization — meaning PDU access can be governed by existing enterprise identity infrastructure rather than managing local credentials on each unit.
Q: What is the outlet type on the VP6N31A0, and how many outlets are provided?
A: The VP6N31A0 provides twelve NEMA 5-20R outlets. The 5-20R receptacle accepts both NEMA 5-15P and 5-20P plugs, accommodating standard 15A devices as well as 20A-rated equipment without adapters.
Q: What is the mounting orientation of the VP6N31A0?
A: The VP6N31A0 is a 0U horizontal rack PDU. It mounts horizontally at the top or bottom of a standard rack frame, preserving all 1U rack slots for equipment. Verify horizontal mount rail compatibility with your specific rack model before installation.
The VP6N31A0 is the unit I reach for when a client needs per-outlet power accountability in a 120V rack environment without committing to the cost of a fully switched PDU. The outlet-level monitoring across all twelve NEMA 5-20R receptacles — current, power, and voltage independently per outlet — is the core value proposition here, and the 30A L5-30P input at 2.8 kW gives you real headroom across a mixed-load rack without sweating the branch circuit math.
Technical Highlights:
- SNMP v3 with RADIUS/TACACS+: Authenticated, encrypted OID polling plus enterprise AAA integration means this PDU can slot into a zero-trust management plane without custom workarounds — a real differentiator versus lower-tier monitored units that only offer community-string SNMP.
- Modbus TCP alongside SNMP: Dual protocol support matters in facilities with a BMS layer that speaks Modbus and an IT layer that speaks SNMP — you are not forced to choose which team owns PDU visibility.
- 12x NEMA 5-20R on a 30A L5-30P feed: The 5-20R format is flexible enough to accept 15A and 20A plug types without adapters. At 2.8 kW usable across twelve outlets, average per-outlet budget is around 230W — tight if you have high-draw 1U servers on every port, so plan your load distribution before commissioning.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 3-meter cord length is workable for most in-row PDU deployments, but map your branch circuit panel distance before assuming it reaches without an extension — L5-30P extensions are available but add a connection point and potential failure mode.
- This unit is monitoring-only — no outlet switching. If the deployment involves IT equipment that requires remote power cycling (hung servers, network gear that needs hard resets), a switched+monitored variant is the right call. Budget the delta accordingly at the design stage rather than retrofitting later.
The VP6N31A0 is well-matched to network equipment rooms and colocation deployments where the primary need is granular per-outlet load visibility, enterprise protocol integration, and a clean 0U horizontal form factor — not remote switching control.
