Vertiv VA4N32A1 Monitored Rack Transfer Switch PDU, 30A 120V
Overview
The Vertiv VA4N32A1 is a horizontally mounted, single-phase monitored rack PDU and transfer switch rated at 30A/120V (2.8kW) with 20 NEMA 5-20R outlets. Designed for data center racks and server rooms where you need outlet-level current, voltage, and power monitoring without the complexity of a fully switched unit, the VA4N32A1 gives operations teams the visibility to catch load imbalances and oversubscription before they become outages. The NEMA L5-30P input plug connects to a dedicated 30A circuit — the standard feed for a fully loaded 2-post or 4-post rack — and delivers clean distribution across 20 receptacles at a 3-meter cord length that reaches floor-level PDUs or overhead busway without extension cables.
As part of the Vertiv power distribution lineup, the VA4N32A1 sits in the monitored-unit-level segment: you get real-time telemetry for the whole unit (current draw, voltage, and kW consumption), plus the transfer switch architecture that keeps connected equipment running during a source switchover. If your rack is fed by dual utility feeds or a generator + UPS combination, this unit lets you validate both feeds and switch between them without dropping loads.
Key Features
- 30A/120V Single-Phase Input via NEMA L5-30P: The L5-30P twist-lock plug connects to a dedicated 30A branch circuit — the standard for fully populated 1U–2U server racks. At 2.8kW continuous capacity, you can load this PDU to roughly 80% (2.24kW) under best practices without tripping the upstream breaker. Plan your rack power budget against this ceiling before ordering.
- 20 NEMA 5-20R Outlets: Twenty standard 5-20R receptacles cover the full range of rack-mounted servers, switches, and storage that ship with 5-15P or 5-20P cords — no adapters needed for the vast majority of 1U rack equipment. At 30A input across 20 outlets, average per-outlet headroom is 1.5A, appropriate for mixed 1U server loads.
- Monitored Unit-Level Telemetry (Current, Power, Voltage): Real-time monitoring of the entire PDU's current draw, power consumption (watts/kW), and input voltage means you can track load trends over time and receive alerts before hitting capacity. This is the critical difference between a basic PDU and a monitored unit: you stop guessing how loaded a rack is and start managing it with data. Pair with a network management system for trend dashboards.
- LCD Display: The onboard LCD shows current draw and status locally — useful during commissioning and rack audits when you need a reading without opening a browser session. No laptop required for a quick sanity check during installation.
- SNMP v1/v2c/v3 + Full Enterprise Protocol Stack: SNMP v3 provides authenticated, encrypted management — a hard requirement in PCI-DSS and HIPAA environments where unencrypted v1/v2c is prohibited. The protocol list also includes HTTPS, SSH, LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS+, NTP, Syslog, and Modbus TCP, covering every enterprise authentication and logging integration you're likely to need in a managed data center or colocation environment. This is not a consumer-grade device.
- LDAP / RADIUS / TACACS+ Authentication: Centralized credential management means your PDU logins can be governed by the same identity platform (Active Directory, FreeIPA, Cisco ISE) as your switches and servers. No local accounts to audit or rotate independently — a real operational win in environments with SOC 2 or ISO 27001 requirements.
- Horizontal 0U Mounting: The horizontal form factor installs in a standard 1U rack space — confirmed against the product classification as 0U horizontal mounting. This preserves rack unit count for revenue-generating equipment while keeping the PDU accessible at the front or rear of the rack depending on your cable management preference. Review your rack infrastructure cable management plan before deciding on front vs. rear orientation.
- Dual Network/Management Ports (1x RJ-45 Ethernet, 1x Serial, 1x USB): The RJ-45 Ethernet port handles in-band SNMP/HTTPS management. The serial port (RS-232) provides out-of-band console access when the network path is unavailable — essential during initial commissioning or network outages. The USB port supports firmware updates and configuration backup/restore without a network connection.
- IPv4 and IPv6 Support: Native dual-stack operation means the VA4N32A1 integrates cleanly into next-generation data center networks without NAT workarounds. Increasingly relevant as enterprise data center core networks transition to IPv6.
- 3-Meter Input Cord: The 3m cord (approximately 9.8 feet) reaches from a floor-level panel or raised-floor tap to a mid-rack PDU position without strain. Verify your circuit-to-rack distance before ordering — shorter cords on competing units often require extension solutions that add failure points.
Integration & Compatibility
The VA4N32A1 supports data center power management integration via SNMP v1/v2c/v3 and Modbus TCP, making it compatible with major DCIM platforms including those that poll via SNMP or use Modbus for energy metering. Syslog output feeds directly into SIEM platforms (Splunk, Graylog, QRadar) for centralized event logging. NTP synchronization ensures log timestamps are accurate across your monitoring stack — a detail that matters when correlating power events with application incidents.
HTTPS and SSH management channels are encrypted, satisfying typical enterprise security policy requirements for infrastructure management interfaces. RADIUS and TACACS+ integration allows the PDU to authenticate against your existing AAA infrastructure rather than maintaining a local user database, which simplifies compliance audits. RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol) support on the network interface prevents management network loops during deployment.
The NEMA L5-30P input is compatible with standard 30A twist-lock receptacles found on most PDU distribution panels and UPS bypass outputs in North American data centers and colocation facilities. The 20 NEMA 5-20R outputs accept 5-15P and 5-20P plugs — covering the overwhelming majority of rack-mount server, switch, and storage power cords without adapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What input plug does the VA4N32A1 use, and what circuit breaker does it require?
A: The VA4N32A1 uses a NEMA L5-30P twist-lock input plug and requires a dedicated 30A, 120V single-phase circuit. Per NEC 80% continuous load rule, plan your connected load to stay at or below 24A (2.4kW) for continuous operation.
Q: How many outlets does the VA4N32A1 have, and what receptacle type?
A: The VA4N32A1 provides 20 NEMA 5-20R receptacles. These accept both NEMA 5-15P and 5-20P plugs, which covers most standard rack-mount server and networking equipment power cords.
Q: Does the VA4N32A1 support SNMP v3?
A: Yes. The VA4N32A1 supports SNMP v1, v2c, and v3. SNMP v3 provides authenticated, encrypted management sessions, which is required in many enterprise, PCI-DSS, and HIPAA-regulated environments.
Q: Can the VA4N32A1 integrate with Active Directory or RADIUS for authentication?
A: Yes. The VA4N32A1 supports LDAP, RADIUS, and TACACS+ authentication protocols, allowing integration with Active Directory (via LDAP), Cisco ISE, or other AAA platforms for centralized credential management.
Q: What does the VA4N32A1 monitor at the unit level?
A: The VA4N32A1 monitors current (amps), power (watts/kW), and voltage at the PDU unit level. Readings are available via the onboard LCD display and remotely via SNMP, HTTPS, and other supported management protocols.
Q: Is the VA4N32A1 a switched PDU or a monitored PDU?
A: The VA4N32A1 is a monitored unit-level PDU with transfer switch functionality. It provides monitoring and source-switching capability but does not offer individual outlet switching (on/off control per outlet). If per-outlet switching is required, a switched PDU model would be needed.
The VA4N32A1 is the unit I reach for when a client needs transfer switch redundancy and unit-level power telemetry in a single horizontal PDU without the cost and complexity of outlet-switched infrastructure. The 30A/120V L5-30P input and 20 NEMA 5-20R outlets cover a fully populated rack of 1U servers, and the SNMP v3 plus TACACS+ support means it fits cleanly into an enterprise management stack without carving out special-case access policies.
Technical Highlights:
- 20 NEMA 5-20R Outlets at 30A/2.8kW: At 80% NEC continuous load, you have 24A to distribute across 20 receptacles — about 1.2A average per outlet, which lines up well with mixed 1U server loads drawing 0.5–2A each. Model your rack load before commissioning; this unit will not leave headroom for surprise adds.
- SNMP v3 + TACACS+/RADIUS/LDAP: Encrypted SNMP v3 management and AAA integration via TACACS+ or RADIUS means this PDU can be governed by the same identity and audit policies as your network infrastructure. In regulated environments (PCI, HIPAA, SOC 2), that matters at audit time.
- Unit-Level Monitoring (Current, Power, Voltage) + LCD: Real-time telemetry is available both on the local LCD and remotely via SNMP or HTTPS. The Modbus TCP support is a practical addition for facilities teams running BMS integrations that speak Modbus rather than SNMP.
Deployment Considerations:
- The L5-30P plug requires a twist-lock 30A receptacle at the panel or UPS bypass output — confirm your upstream circuit before ordering. Standard 5-20R wall outlets will not work with this input.
- This is a monitored PDU, not a switched PDU. You cannot remotely cycle or sequence individual outlets. If load-shedding or remote outlet reboot capability is part of your requirement, you need a switched-outlet model in the Vertiv lineup instead.
This unit is well-matched for colocation cage deployments, enterprise server rooms, and edge data center racks where dual-feed source switching and DCIM-compatible telemetry are required but per-outlet switching is not — particularly in environments where TACACS+ and SNMP v3 are non-negotiable compliance requirements.
