Vertiv Rpdu Monitored Outlet Level EC 30A 208V 4.9KW Vertical (20) Locking IEC C1 - VP6N30AU

Vertiv VP6N30AU Monitored Outlet-Level Vertical PDU 30A 208V

Overview

The Vertiv VP6N30AU is a 0U vertical rack PDU designed for high-density data center and server room deployments where granular, per-outlet power visibility matters. Rated at 30A / 208V (4.9kW) with a NEMA L6-30P input plug, it delivers single-phase power across 24 locking IEC C13 outlets — the locking mechanism is the detail that matters in a live rack: accidental disconnection during maintenance or vibration events is simply not possible. For teams managing rack power distribution across dense compute environments, outlet-level monitoring at this price tier is the feature that separates reactive troubleshooting from proactive capacity management.

Vertiv's PDU and power infrastructure line covers everything from basic strips to fully switched intelligent units. The VP6N30AU sits at the monitored outlet level — you get per-outlet current and power readings without the overhead of per-outlet switching. If you don't need remote outlet cycling, this is the right tier: you pay for the intelligence you'll actually use.

Key Features

• 30A / 208V Single-Phase Input (NEMA L6-30P): At 4.9kW usable capacity, this unit covers a fully loaded 2U compute node or a dense blade chassis without pushing the 80% utilization ceiling. The L6-30P twist-lock input plug means the PDU itself won't walk out of your whip during a maintenance window.
• 24 Locking IEC C13 Outlets: Locking C13 receptacles prevent accidental cord pull-out in active racks — a real operational concern when someone is reaching across cables to swap a drive or check cabling. You get full capacity for servers, switches, and storage without hunting for a C15 or C19 mix.
• Outlet-Level Current, Power, Voltage, and Temperature Monitoring: The VP6N30AU measures current, power, voltage, and temperature at the outlet level — not just at the input. This means you can identify which specific port is drawing anomalously, catch a failing PSU before it trips a breaker, and validate actual load vs. nameplate per device. Temperature monitoring at the outlet gives you localized thermal data without deploying separate environmental sensors.
• Dual Ethernet (RJ-45) Ports with Daisy-Chain Support: Two RJ-45 management ports plus daisy-chain capability let you string multiple PDUs on a single network drop — relevant in high-density deployments where IP address conservation and switch port economy matter. Managing 8 PDUs off one switch port is standard practice in large deployments.
• Comprehensive Protocol Support: SNMP v1/v2c/v3, HTTPS, SSH, RADIUS, LDAP, TACACS+, Modbus TCP, Syslog, and NTP are all onboard. SNMP v3 means encrypted, authenticated polling — your DCIM or BMS platform gets real data without cleartext credentials traversing the management VLAN. TACACS+ and RADIUS integration means PDU authentication ties directly into your existing AAA infrastructure.
• IPv4 and IPv6 Dual-Stack: Native IPv6 support means this unit won't be the holdout when your data center management network migrates. No firmware gymnastics or NAT workarounds needed.
• LED Display and Indicators: The onboard LED display provides local visibility without requiring a laptop or network connection — useful during initial commissioning or when network management is unavailable. LED indicators give at-a-glance status confirmation.
• USB Port: The single USB port supports firmware updates and local configuration tasks without network dependency — a meaningful operational safeguard during initial deployment or network-isolated maintenance windows.
• Reset Button: Hardware reset capability provides a last-resort recovery path if the management controller becomes unresponsive without requiring physical removal of the unit from the rack.
• 3-Meter Input Cord: The 3m (approximately 10ft) power whip gives enough reach to connect from floor-mounted power panels or overhead busway without extension adapters in most standard rack deployments.
• 0U Vertical Form Factor: Mounts vertically inside the rack without consuming any rack unit space — preserving every 1U for actual compute, storage, or networking gear. In fully loaded 42U or 48U racks, that zero-footprint mounting is not a minor convenience; it's the reason vertical PDUs exist.

Integration and Compatibility

The VP6N30AU's Modbus TCP support enables direct integration with building management systems (BMS) and DCIM platforms that use Modbus as a polling protocol — common in facilities that predate SNMP-centric management or run mixed-vendor infrastructure. Combined with SNMP v3 and Syslog, this unit fits into virtually any enterprise monitoring stack without a protocol adapter layer.

For organizations running managed network infrastructure with dedicated out-of-band management VLANs, the dual RJ-45 ports and daisy-chain topology allow clean segmentation of PDU management traffic. LDAP and RADIUS integration means user authentication for PDU access is centrally managed — no local account sprawl across dozens of units.

RSTP support on the management network interface provides loop protection in daisy-chain topologies, which matters when you're stringing multiple PDUs together and need the management network to remain stable if a link goes down mid-chain.

Pair this PDU with compatible open-frame or enclosed rack cabinets that have vertical PDU mounting channels — most standard 4-post racks accommodate 0U vertical PDUs via side-channel or toolless mounting brackets. Consult your rack vendor's mounting accessory list for the correct bracket kit when deploying in enclosed cabinets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What input plug type does the VP6N30AU use, and what circuit does it require?

A: The VP6N30AU uses a NEMA L6-30P twist-lock input plug. It requires a 30A, 208V single-phase circuit — standard in most data center and server room environments fed by 208V three-phase distribution panels.

Q: Does the VP6N30AU support per-outlet switching, or is it monitoring only?

A: The VP6N30AU is a monitored outlet-level PDU, not a switched PDU. You get per-outlet current, power, voltage, and temperature monitoring, but you cannot remotely cycle individual outlets. If remote outlet switching is required, you'll need a switched PDU in Vertiv's lineup.

Q: How many PDUs can be daisy-chained together on a single network connection?

A: The VP6N30AU supports daisy-chain connectivity via its dual RJ-45 management ports. Vertiv's typical daisy-chain topology allows multiple PDUs to share a single network drop; consult Vertiv's current configuration guides for the maximum chain length supported on this firmware version.

Q: What security protocols does the VP6N30AU support for management access?

A: Management access is protected via HTTPS, SSH, SNMP v3 (encrypted and authenticated), RADIUS, LDAP, and TACACS+. This covers centralized AAA integration and encrypted management traffic — suitable for environments with strict access control policies.

Q: Does the VP6N30AU include temperature monitoring?

A: Yes. The VP6N30AU monitors current, power, voltage, and temperature. Temperature monitoring provides localized thermal data at the outlet level without requiring separate environmental sensors.

Q: What is the input voltage range for the VP6N30AU?

A: The VP6N30AU accepts 200–240V AC input, making it compatible with standard 208V data center distribution as well as 230V environments common in international deployments.

Marty Allison

The VP6N30AU hits the right balance for dense data center racks where you need real outlet-level intelligence without paying for switched ports you won't use. The 24 locking IEC C13 outlets on a 30A / 208V (4.9kW) input is a solid fit for a modern 2U or 4U compute node where you want per-outlet power data feeding your DCIM without the overhead of a fully switched unit.

Technical Highlights:

• Outlet-Level Monitoring (Current, Power, Voltage, Temp): Per-outlet granularity lets you catch a PSU degrading before it trips the breaker — you're not waiting for a circuit-level anomaly to surface a device-level problem. Temperature at the outlet is a bonus that saves a sensor deployment per rack.
• SNMP v3 + TACACS+ / RADIUS: Encrypted SNMP polling and centralized AAA means this unit drops cleanly into enterprise management infrastructure. No cleartext credentials on the management VLAN, no local account sprawl across a fleet of PDUs.
• Dual RJ-45 with Daisy-Chain and RSTP: String multiple PDUs off one switch port with loop protection intact. In a 48U cabinet with two PDUs per row, that's meaningful switch port conservation and a cleaner management topology.

Deployment Considerations:

• The NEMA L6-30P input requires a dedicated 30A 208V circuit — confirm your panel has available capacity and the correct breaker before racking. Don't assume a standard 20A 120V circuit will work; it won't.
• The unit is monitoring-only — if your ops team needs remote outlet cycling for hung servers or network gear, step up to a switched PDU. Outlet-level monitoring without switching means a physical hands-on reset for any locked-up device.

Best fit for high-density compute rows in colocation or enterprise data centers running DCIM platforms that poll SNMP v3 — the VP6N30AU delivers the per-outlet data those platforms need without adding unnecessary switched-outlet cost to every rack position.