Vertiv Rpdu Monitored Unit Level EC 30A 208V 4.9KW Horizontal (10) Locking IEC C1 - VP4N31A1

Vertiv VP4N31A1 Monitored Horizontal Rack PDU, 30A 208V 10-Outlet

Overview

The Vertiv VP4N31A1 is a unit-level monitored, single-phase horizontal rack PDU rated at 30A and 208V (4.9kW), purpose-built for data center and server room deployments where you need outlet-level power visibility without paying for full switching capability. The 0U horizontal form factor fits flush in standard rack mount positions, keeping vertical rack space available for revenue-generating equipment. With ten locking IEC C13/C19 outlets on a NEMA L6-30P input cord (3 meters), this PDU targets dense 1U/2U server rows and network equipment enclosures running on 200–240V single-phase circuits — the bread-and-butter power configuration in co-location and enterprise machine rooms.

If you're managing a rack power distribution refresh or building out new compute rows, the VP4N31A1 delivers the monitoring visibility your facilities and IT teams need to track load balance, prevent circuit overloads, and feed DCIM or BMS platforms — all via standard protocols your existing infrastructure already speaks.

Key Features

• Unit-Level Current, Voltage, and Power Monitoring: The VP4N31A1 measures real-time current (amps), voltage, and power (watts/kVA) at the PDU level and surfaces that data via SNMP, HTTPS, and Modbus TCP. For data center operators, this means you can correlate rack draw against breaker capacity from your NMS dashboard — no manual clamp-meter surveys during audits.
• 10 Locking IEC Outlets (C13/C19 Mix): Locking connectors prevent accidental disconnection from cable weight or vibration — a real operational concern in high-density racks with heavy SFP cables. The C13/C19 mix accommodates both standard 1U/2U servers (C13) and higher-draw devices like GPU nodes or storage arrays that ship with C19 power cords.
• NEMA L6-30P Input, 3-Meter Cord: The L6-30P twist-lock plug is the standard for 208V/30A single-phase circuits in North American data centers — pairs directly with L6-30R receptacles on most PDPs and floor-mounted power strips. The 3-meter (approximately 10-foot) cord gives you cable management flexibility to route cleanly to the top or bottom of a mid-row rack without an extension.
• LCD Display for Local Readout: The onboard LCD shows live electrical readings without requiring a laptop or network connection — useful during initial commissioning and during power events when network access may be compromised. Technicians can confirm load before plugging in additional equipment.
• Enterprise Protocol Stack — SNMP v1/v2c/v3, HTTPS, SSH, RADIUS, LDAP, TACACS+, Modbus TCP: This is a protocol list that checks the box for both IT-managed and OT-managed environments. SNMP v3 with authentication and encryption satisfies security hardening requirements. RADIUS/LDAP/TACACS+ means you integrate into your existing AAA infrastructure rather than managing local PDU credentials separately across hundreds of units. Modbus TCP opens the door to BMS and SCADA integration — relevant when facilities engineering wants PDU data in a building automation platform.
• IPv4 and IPv6 Dual-Stack Networking: Native IPv6 support means the VP4N31A1 fits in modern network architectures without NAT workarounds. Single RJ-45 Ethernet port handles management traffic; USB and serial ports provide out-of-band console access if the network path is unavailable.
• 50/60 Hz Input Frequency Compatibility: Accepts both 50 Hz and 60 Hz input, so the same SKU deploys in North American facilities (60 Hz) and international co-location sites running on 50 Hz — reduces SKU proliferation for global enterprise IT teams.
• 200–240V Nominal Input Range: The broad input voltage window handles real-world utility variation without tripping on momentary sag. Rated at 4.9kW at 208V, it can support a full rack of 1U servers at typical idle draw with overhead to spare.

Integration and Compatibility

The VP4N31A1 integrates with Vertiv's broader power management ecosystem and connects to third-party DCIM platforms via SNMP v1/v2c/v3 and Modbus TCP. The supported protocol list — including NTP for time synchronization, Syslog for event forwarding, and SMTP for email alerting — maps directly to the integration requirements of platforms like Nlyte, Sunbird, or Schneider EcoStruxure IT. The 1x USB and 1x serial port (RS-232) provide console and firmware update access. For deployments standardizing on monitored rack PDUs across multiple cabinets, the consistent protocol support makes fleet-wide monitoring configuration repeatable.

If you're evaluating power infrastructure alongside network switches or compute gear for a new rack build, factor in the 30A circuit requirement — this PDU is not compatible with standard 20A branch circuits and requires a dedicated L6-30R receptacle or PDU tap box on your panel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the input plug type on the VP4N31A1?

A: The VP4N31A1 uses a NEMA L6-30P twist-lock plug on a 3-meter input cord, rated for 30A at 200–240V single-phase. It requires a dedicated L6-30R receptacle or compatible power source — not compatible with standard 5-15R or L5-30R outlets.

Q: Does the VP4N31A1 support SNMP v3?

A: Yes. The VP4N31A1 supports SNMP v1, v2c, and v3. SNMP v3 includes authentication and encryption options, meeting most enterprise and co-location security hardening requirements for network-connected power equipment.

Q: What type of outlets does the VP4N31A1 have, and are they locking?

A: The VP4N31A1 has 10 IEC outlets in a C13/C19 mix, all with locking connectors to prevent accidental disconnection. The C13 outlets accommodate standard server power cords; the C19 outlets handle higher-draw devices such as storage arrays and GPU nodes.

Q: Can the VP4N31A1 integrate with RADIUS or LDAP for centralized authentication?

A: Yes. The VP4N31A1 supports RADIUS, LDAP, and TACACS+ for centralized authentication and access control, allowing you to manage PDU credentials through your existing AAA infrastructure rather than maintaining local accounts on each unit.

Q: What is the monitoring capability of the VP4N31A1 — is it outlet-level or unit-level?

A: The VP4N31A1 provides unit-level monitoring, measuring current, voltage, and power at the PDU input. It does not provide per-outlet switching or per-outlet metering. For outlet-level switching or metering, consider a switched or metered-at-outlet variant in the Vertiv Geist rPDU family.

Q: Does the VP4N31A1 support Modbus TCP?

A: Yes. Modbus TCP is supported, enabling integration with building management systems (BMS), SCADA platforms, and DCIM tools that use Modbus as a data acquisition protocol alongside or instead of SNMP.

Ted Perry

The VP4N31A1 sits squarely in the monitored-only tier — which is exactly right for deployments where you need load visibility and remote alerting but don't need per-outlet switching control. The 30A/208V single-phase input feeding 10 locking IEC outlets covers a typical compute row at 60–70% utilization with headroom, and the unit-level current/voltage/power monitoring gives NOC teams the data they need without the cost premium of a fully switched PDU.

Technical Highlights:

• SNMP v3 + TACACS+/RADIUS/LDAP: The full AAA protocol stack means this PDU fits enterprise security policy without exception requests — v3 SNMP with auth/encryption, plus RADIUS or TACACS+ for credential federation across a large fleet of PDUs.
• 10 Locking IEC C13/C19 Outlets: The locking mechanism matters in high-cable-density racks where cord weight can vibrate connections loose over time. The C13/C19 mix handles both standard 1U servers and higher-draw C19-plug devices on the same strip.
• Modbus TCP Support: For data centers where facilities and IT share infrastructure visibility, Modbus TCP is the handshake into BMS platforms. Most enterprise DCIM tools also support Modbus as a secondary collection path alongside SNMP, making dual-reporting straightforward.

Deployment Considerations:

• The L6-30P input requires a dedicated 30A/208V single-phase circuit with an L6-30R receptacle — confirm your panel and PDP tap box before ordering. This PDU will not plug into L5-30R or standard duplex 20A circuits.
• Monitoring is unit-level only — no per-outlet metering or switching. If your application requires identifying which specific outlet is drawing anomalously, or remotely cycling power to a hung device, you need a switched or outlet-metered SKU. The VP4N31A1 is the right cost point only when aggregate rack draw is sufficient visibility.

This PDU is a solid fit for enterprise co-location deployments standardizing on 208V/30A circuits where the primary requirement is NOC-visible load monitoring, AAA-integrated access control, and BMS/DCIM integration — without the per-outlet switching cost you'd pay for and never use on a stable compute row.