Vertiv Rpdu Rack Transfer Swch 16A 20A 120V 208 - VA1U2100

Vertiv VA1U2100 Rack Transfer Switch PDU, 16A/20A, 120V/208V, 12-Outlet

Overview

The Vertiv VA1U2100 is a single-phase, horizontal-mount rack transfer switch designed to deliver basic power distribution with automatic transfer capability across 12 outlets in a 0U footprint. Built for data center racks, server rooms, and edge deployments where a compact, no-frills PDU must handle up to 20A at 100–240V without consuming a rack unit, this unit fits cleanly into environments where every U-slot counts. The C20 input plug and mix of C13 and C19 outlets make it directly compatible with the standard power chain you already have in place — no adapters, no workarounds.

If you are evaluating Vertiv power distribution options for a mid-density rack build, the VA1U2100 sits in the basic PDU tier: no metering, no remote switching, no environmental monitoring — just clean, reliable power delivery. That makes it the right pick when budget is the constraint and uptime is the requirement, not granular per-outlet control.

Key Features

• 0U Horizontal Mounting: Mounts flat inside the rack without consuming a standard rack unit — critical in fully loaded cabinets where every U counts. The 432mm width fits standard 19-inch rack rails; at 457mm deep it will clear most mid-depth rack interiors without fouling cable management.
• 20A Maximum Current at 100–240V: Supports up to 20A across a wide input voltage range (100–240V, 50/60 Hz), making this unit usable in both North American 120V circuits and international or dual-voltage 208V installations without modification. The C20 input plug is rated to match — pair it with a standard C19-to-C20 whip from your UPS or RPP.
• 12 AC Outlets — C13 and C19 Mixed: The outlet mix accommodates both standard IEC C14 server and networking loads (via C13 receptacles) and higher-draw C20-input devices (via C19 receptacles). This prevents the common situation of needing a separate high-amp PDU just to feed one or two power-hungry devices in an otherwise low-draw rack.
• Single-Phase Architecture: Single-phase design keeps the wiring simple — one circuit, one breaker, one source. Appropriate for racks where total load stays within a single 20A circuit. If your rack draw exceeds that or you need phase diversity, look at a three-phase or dual-input variant in the Vertiv family.
• 3m Input Cable: The 3-meter (roughly 10-foot) input cable gives you enough reach to route to a floor-mounted UPS, overhead busway tap, or a PDU distribution panel without stressing the cable or forcing awkward routing inside the rack.
• Wide Operating Temperature: 0–60°C: Rated to operate across 0–60°C — covers virtually any indoor server room or edge enclosure environment. The upper bound of 60°C gives headroom even in poorly cooled edge sites, though sustained operation at that ceiling with full load is not recommended without checking ambient airflow.
• No On/Off Switch (by design): The absence of a manual on/off switch eliminates accidental power interruptions — a meaningful detail in always-on environments where an operator bumping a switch during maintenance could trigger an outage. Power state is controlled at the circuit breaker or UPS output level, where it belongs.

Integration and Compatibility

The VA1U2100 fits within a standard rack PDU deployment alongside any UPS with a C19 or C20 output — Vertiv Liebert, APC, Eaton, or similar. Because it is a basic PDU with no network interface, there is nothing to configure: no IP address, no SNMP setup, no driver install. It connects, and it distributes. For environments requiring remote monitoring, per-outlet switching, or current metering, you will need a managed or switched PDU variant — the VA1U2100 is not that product.

The C13/C19 outlet mix handles 1U and 2U servers, ToR switches, KVM units, and storage appliances without adapters. If your deployment includes high-density blade chassis or GPU compute nodes drawing more than 20A aggregate, plan for a second circuit or a higher-amperage PDU. Consult a rack power planning guide to map load distribution before finalizing your PDU selection.

For complementary infrastructure, pair this unit with a UPS system upstream to provide runtime during utility outages, and consider structured cable management accessories to keep the 3m input cable routed cleanly in the rack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What input plug does the VA1U2100 use, and what does it connect to?

A: The VA1U2100 uses a C20 coupler input with a 3-meter cable. It connects to any UPS, PDU, or power panel output with a C19 receptacle — the standard in most rack power chains.

Q: Does the VA1U2100 support both 120V and 208V?

A: Yes. The input voltage range is 100–240V at 50/60 Hz, so it operates on both 120V North American circuits and 208V three-phase-derived single-phase circuits without modification.

Q: How many outlets does the VA1U2100 have, and what types?

A: The VA1U2100 has 12 AC outlets total. The mix includes both C13 receptacles (for standard C14-plug servers and networking gear) and C19 receptacles (for higher-draw C20-plug devices). The exact C13/C19 split count is not specified in available documentation — verify with Vertiv if your outlet-type ratio is a hard requirement.

Q: Does the VA1U2100 include any metering, switching, or remote management?

A: No. The VA1U2100 is a basic PDU — no per-outlet switching, no current metering, no network interface, and no on/off switch. Power management is handled at the upstream breaker or UPS output. If you need monitored or switched outlets, you will need a different Vertiv PDU model.

Q: How is the VA1U2100 mounted in the rack?

A: It mounts horizontally in a 0U position — meaning it fits without consuming a standard rack unit. At 432mm wide (standard 19-inch rack width) and 457mm deep, it mounts flat against the rack interior.

Q: What is the maximum current rating for the VA1U2100?

A: The VA1U2100 is rated for a maximum of 20A input current, with a load capacity of 230 VA, on a single-phase circuit.

Marty Allison

The VA1U2100 gets specified most often when the budget conversation is done and the answer is 'basic PDU.' What I find practical about it is the 0U horizontal form factor combined with the 100–240V input range — that combination means you can deploy the same SKU in a domestic 120V rack or a 208V colocation cage without swapping units. The C20 input ties cleanly into the C19 tail of virtually any UPS in the Vertiv Liebert line or competing brands.

Technical Highlights:

• 20A / 100–240V Input: A true wide-range input means this unit does not need to be re-specified when voltage differs between sites — one part number covers both 120V and 208V single-phase environments.
• C13 + C19 Mixed Outlets: The mixed outlet bank is underrated — most basic PDUs are C13-only, which forces an adapter or a separate high-amp PDU the moment you add a device with a C20 plug. Having C19 receptacles inline eliminates that friction for high-draw nodes.
• 0U Horizontal Mounting at 432 × 457mm: Fits standard 19-inch rails with a 457mm depth that clears most mid-depth cabinets. The 3-meter input cable gives enough slack to reach the floor of a 42U rack from overhead busway without strain.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 230 VA load capacity is the binding constraint, not the 20A rating alone — account for power factor on your connected loads when calculating actual usable capacity, especially with older power supplies that run lower PF.
• No on/off switch is intentional for always-on use, but it means you cannot locally de-energize the PDU without tripping the upstream breaker — make sure your maintenance procedure accounts for that before committing to this unit in a high-touch environment.

This unit is a clean fit for a colocation edge rack or a secondary distribution tier in a server room where load stays well within a single 20A circuit and there is no operational need for per-outlet visibility. If your NOC needs outlet-level current data or remote reboot capability, that requirement alone disqualifies the VA1U2100 and points you toward a monitored or switched Vertiv PDU variant.