Vertiv Rpdu Rack Transfer Swch 20A 120V 1.9KW 2 - VA1N2201

Vertiv VA1N2201 Rack PDU Transfer Switch 20A 120V 1.9kW

The Vertiv VA1N2201 is a single-phase, horizontal-mount basic rack PDU rated at 20A/120V with 20 NEMA 5-20R outlets — a straightforward power distribution unit sized for standard 1U rack shelves that need reliable, single-circuit coverage without the overhead of metered or switched intelligence. If your deployment calls for a clean, no-frills power strip purpose-built for rack environments, this is where the conversation starts. The VA1N2201 connects to your power source via a NEMA L5-20P twist-lock plug, giving you a secure, vibration-resistant connection that won't accidentally back out in a busy equipment room.

Key Features

• 20 NEMA 5-20R Outlets: Twenty standard 20A receptacles give you capacity for a fully loaded 1U shelf of 1U servers, switches, or KVM gear. Each outlet accepts standard NEMA 5-15 and 5-20 plugs, so you're not locked into specialty connectors — most rack equipment ships with compatible cords.
• 20A / 120V Single-Phase Input: The 20A circuit rating supports up to 1.9kW of continuous load (per NEC 80% rule, budget to ~1.6kW sustained). That headroom is appropriate for a half-rack of 1U servers or a row of PoE switches and small networking gear — enough capacity for a standard IDF/MDF closet drop.
• NEMA L5-20P Twist-Lock Plug: The locking plug eliminates accidental disconnection from UPS output receptacles, PDU daisy-chain ports, or generator feeds. Standard in any data center or security operations center wired to NEMA L5-20R source receptacles — no adapter required if your UPS output matches.
• Horizontal 0U Mounting: Mounts horizontally in a standard 19-inch rack using 1U of rack space, keeping vertical rack real estate available for active equipment. The 432mm width (17 inches) fits all standard EIA-310 rails; the 457mm depth (18 inches) clears most 2-post and 4-post frames. Factor the 87mm height (2U form factor visually, 1U mounting footprint) when planning cable management above and below.
• 3-Meter Power Cord: The 3m (approximately 10 ft) factory-attached cord provides meaningful routing flexibility — enough reach from a floor-level UPS to a mid-rack PDU mount without extension cords, which are a code violation in many commercial installations. This is the spec to check against your rack-to-UPS distance before ordering.
• Wide Operating Temperature Range (0–60°C): Rated to operate from 0°C to 60°C (32°F to 140°F), the VA1N2201 handles both climate-controlled data rooms and warmer telecom closets or industrial enclosures without thermal derating. Most commercial security equipment rooms fall well within this envelope.
• 50/60 Hz Compatibility: Accepts both 50 Hz and 60 Hz input, which matters if the same PDU model needs to deploy across North American and international sites without re-speccing. For US-only deployments, treat this as a non-factor — but it simplifies global procurement if your organization standardizes on a single SKU.
• Compact Package Weight (5.44 kg): At 5.44kg (roughly 12 lbs) boxed, the unit ships and installs without a lift assist. A single technician can rack and cable it during a standard site visit — relevant when deployment costs include field labor.

Integration and Compatibility

The VA1N2201 draws from any NEMA L5-20R source receptacle, which is the standard output connector on most 20A UPS units from Vertiv, APC, and Eaton in this power class. Because it is a basic (non-metered, non-switched) rack PDU, there is no network interface, no outlet-level control, and no current monitoring — configuration is limited to physical installation. This keeps deployment simple: mount, plug in, route cords. There is nothing to configure, update, or authenticate.

For environments that need per-outlet switching, current metering, or remote access, you would step up to a managed or switched PDU in the Vertiv rack power distribution lineup. The VA1N2201 is the right choice when those features are not required and the priority is outlet density, reliable connections, and cost efficiency in a horizontal footprint. Pair it with a compatible UPS system rated for a 20A L5-20 output circuit to complete the power protection stack for a security equipment rack or IDF closet build.

For larger deployments involving multiple racks or branch circuits, consider your overall PDU planning carefully — per-circuit load balancing and outlet counts across racks should be mapped before finalizing PDU quantities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What plug type does the VA1N2201 use, and does it work with standard UPS output receptacles?

A: The VA1N2201 uses a NEMA L5-20P twist-lock plug. This connects to NEMA L5-20R receptacles, which are the standard 20A output connectors found on most rack-mount UPS units in this power class. Verify your UPS output before ordering — if your UPS uses NEMA 5-20R straight-blade outputs, you will need an adapter or a different PDU model.

Q: How many outlets does the VA1N2201 provide, and what receptacle type?

A: The VA1N2201 provides 20 NEMA 5-20R outlets. These accept both NEMA 5-15 and NEMA 5-20 plugs, covering the majority of rack-mount servers, switches, and security appliances shipped with standard North American power cords.

Q: What is the maximum load capacity of the VA1N2201?

A: The unit is rated at 20A/120V with a load capacity of 1.9kW. Per NEC 80% continuous load guidelines, plan for a maximum sustained draw of approximately 1.6kW to avoid nuisance tripping on the upstream breaker.

Q: Does the VA1N2201 have any monitoring, switching, or network management capabilities?

A: No. The VA1N2201 is a basic PDU with no metering, outlet switching, or network interface. It is a passive power distribution device — power in, power out across 20 outlets. If you need current monitoring or remote outlet control, you would need to select a managed or switched PDU model.

Q: How much rack space does the VA1N2201 occupy, and what are its physical dimensions?

A: The VA1N2201 mounts horizontally and occupies 1U of rack space. Physical dimensions are 432mm wide × 457mm deep × 87mm tall (approximately 17" × 18" × 3.4"). It fits standard 19-inch EIA-310 rack rails.

Q: What operating temperature range is the VA1N2201 rated for?

A: The VA1N2201 is rated for 0°C to 60°C (32°F to 140°F) operating temperature. This covers standard data center environments as well as warmer telecom closets and industrial enclosures.

James Everett

The VA1N2201 is the unit I reach for when a site needs outlet density and a secure source connection without the cost and complexity of managed PDU infrastructure. The NEMA L5-20P twist-lock input is the detail that matters most in practice — on any rack where someone might accidentally kick a power cord or bump a PDU during a maintenance window, that locking connection is the difference between a live rack and an unplanned outage.

Technical Highlights:

• 20 NEMA 5-20R Outlets: Twenty receptacles across a single 20A/1.9kW circuit is a high outlet-per-rack-unit ratio for a horizontal PDU — useful when populating a rack with 1U devices that each draw 1–3A, where you hit outlet count limits before you hit the amperage ceiling.
• 0–60°C Operating Range: The 60°C upper limit gives genuine margin in non-conditioned spaces — a telecom closet running warm in summer, a wall-mount enclosure in a warehouse, or a utility room without dedicated HVAC. Most rack-mount gear derate at 45°C; the PDU itself won't be your weak link.
• 3-Meter Factory Cord: Ten feet of factory-attached cord eliminates the field decision of whether to use an extension — which is typically a code violation in commercial electrical inspections. Plan your rack-to-UPS routing before the site visit; 3m covers most IDF-to-floor-UPS distances cleanly.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify upstream receptacle type before the truck rolls. The L5-20P input requires an L5-20R source — a mismatch with a straight-blade 5-20R UPS output means no power and a return shipment. This is the single most common mis-order on basic PDUs in this class.
• At 20A input with 20 outlets, the per-outlet average budget is 1A if all outlets are loaded — fine for 1U switches and thin clients, but a single 500W server on one outlet can consume 4–5A and leave the remaining outlets under-served if total load approaches 16A. Map your connected load before commissioning.

The VA1N2201 fits cleanest in a security operations rack or IDF closet where the power architecture is already designed around a 20A L5-20 UPS output and the priority is outlet count, not per-outlet intelligence. It is not the right unit for a critical compute rack where per-outlet monitoring or remote switching is part of the resilience plan.