Vertiv Rpdu Rack Transfer Switch Monitored Unit Level 30A 208V 4.9KW Horizontal ( - VA4N31A0

Vertiv VA4N31A0 Monitored Rack Transfer Switch, 30A 208V 4.9kW Horizontal

Overview

The Vertiv VA4N31A0 is a 1U horizontal rack-mount transfer switch designed for dual-corded server and network equipment in colocation and enterprise data center environments. At 30A/208V with a 4.9kW capacity, it provides automatic source failover — switching active load to a backup power feed when the primary drops — without requiring a manual intervention or a maintenance window. This is the unit to specify when your SLA requires continuous uptime for critical rack infrastructure and you already have two independent PDU feeds available.

The monitored feature set on the VA4N31A0 goes well beyond simple power metering. A full protocol stack — SNMP v1/v2c/v3, HTTPS, SSH, Syslog, SMTP, RADIUS, TACACS+, and LDAP — means this unit plugs directly into enterprise DCIM and network management frameworks without workarounds. You get real-time per-outlet awareness, event alerting, and authenticated remote control from a single IP address on the device.

Key Features

• 4.9kW Capacity at 208V: Handles a fully loaded 30A circuit — appropriate for high-density compute rows where rack power budgets approach or exceed 5kW. The single NEMA L6-30R output matches standard 30A twist-lock receptacles on PDUs and inline panels, so no adapter pigtails are needed.
• 200–240V Input Tolerance: Accepts any voltage in the 200–240V range, which means the same unit deploys in North American 208V three-phase environments or 230V international facilities. Frequency flexibility (50/60Hz) extends that compatibility further — useful when standardizing across globally distributed data center sites.
• Automatic Transfer Switching: The core function — when the primary input fails or drops below operating threshold, the unit transfers load to the secondary input. For single-corded equipment on a shared outlet, this eliminates the single point of failure inherent in direct PDU connection.
• SNMP v1/v2c/v3 with Full Enterprise Protocol Stack: SNMP v3 adds authentication and encryption that SNMP v1/v2c lack — a baseline requirement for PCI-DSS and SOC 2 environments. Layer in RADIUS and TACACS+ for centralized AAA and you can manage access to the device through the same identity infrastructure as your switches and routers.
• LDAP Integration: Ties device authentication to Active Directory or OpenLDAP, eliminating per-device local credentials. For teams managing dozens of transfer switches across a colo cage, this matters operationally — one directory change propagates immediately rather than requiring individual device logins.
• SSH and HTTPS Management: All remote access is encrypted. HTTP is listed in the protocol stack but SSH and HTTPS are the operative management paths for any security-conscious deployment. Plaintext HTTP access should be disabled at commissioning.
• Syslog and SMTP Alerting: Transfer events, input anomalies, and threshold crossings can be pushed to a central log aggregator (Syslog) and email distribution lists (SMTP). In practice, this means your NOC sees a power event at the same moment your DCIM platform does — no polling lag.
• 1U Horizontal Form Factor, 17 × 18 × 1.72 in: Fits standard 19-inch two-post and four-post racks without a shelf. At 19 lbs, it needs proper cage nut support — don't rely on friction alone in a deep 18-inch chassis.
• 60°C Operating Temperature: Rated to 140°F ambient, which exceeds most data center hot-aisle targets (ASHRAE A2 class is 95°F). This matters in edge deployments or facilities running higher containment temperatures — the unit won't de-rate or alarm in elevated ambient conditions.
• UL Listed 62368, FCC Part 15 Class A, RoHS Compliant: UL 62368 is the current safety standard for audio/video and IT equipment — more comprehensive than the older UL 60950 it replaced. FCC Class A is the commercial/industrial emissions classification. RoHS compliance covers EU and many APAC regulatory requirements for hazardous substances in electronics.

Integration and Compatibility

The VA4N31A0 integrates with DCIM platforms and NMS tools via SNMP (v1/v2c/v3) and supports IPv4 and IPv6 dual-stack networking — relevant as data centers progress toward IPv6-primary addressing. NTP synchronization keeps event timestamps accurate for correlation with other infrastructure logs. RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol) support on the management port prevents network loops if the unit is connected to a managed switch fabric. DHCP simplifies initial IP assignment, while static addressing is standard practice for infrastructure devices that need stable SNMP targets.

Authentication integrates with RADIUS and TACACS+ servers for centralized access control, and LDAP for directory-based user management. Together, these make the VA4N31A0 compatible with enterprise access governance frameworks without requiring a separate credential store per device. Pair this unit with a monitored PDU on each input feed to get per-outlet metering upstream of the transfer switch and complete Vertiv power infrastructure visibility from input breaker to rack outlet.

For environments deploying multiple transfer switches, consider rack power management solutions that consolidate SNMP polling and alert correlation. The full protocol stack on the VA4N31A0 supports integration with tools like Vertiv's Trellis DCIM or third-party platforms. For physical installation planning, reference your data center power planning resources to verify upstream circuit capacity before commissioning a 30A load.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the output configuration of the VA4N31A0?

A: The VA4N31A0 provides a single NEMA L6-30R output receptacle at 208V, rated for up to 30A (4.9kW). It accepts two independent input feeds in the 200–240V range at 50 or 60Hz.

Q: Does the VA4N31A0 support SNMP v3?

A: Yes. The VA4N31A0 supports SNMP v1, v2c, and v3. SNMP v3 includes authentication and encryption, making it appropriate for environments with PCI-DSS, SOC 2, or similar compliance requirements.

Q: Can the VA4N31A0 integrate with Active Directory for user authentication?

A: Yes. The unit supports LDAP, RADIUS, and TACACS+ protocols, which enable integration with Active Directory and other centralized identity and access management systems. This eliminates the need for per-device local credentials.

Q: What rack space does the VA4N31A0 require?

A: The VA4N31A0 is a 1U horizontal unit measuring 17 inches wide, 18 inches deep, and 1.72 inches tall. It fits standard 19-inch rack enclosures and weighs 19 lbs, requiring proper cage nut or rail support.

Q: What is the operating temperature range of the VA4N31A0?

A: The VA4N31A0 is rated for operation up to 60°C (140°F) ambient, which exceeds standard data center operating envelopes and supports deployment in edge or higher-temperature containment environments.

Q: What safety and compliance certifications does the VA4N31A0 carry?

A: The VA4N31A0 is UL Listed under standard 62368, FCC Part 15 Class A compliant, and RoHS compliant. These certifications cover electrical safety, commercial emissions, and hazardous substance restrictions for North American and EU deployments.

Eden Phillips

The VA4N31A0 addresses a specific infrastructure gap that comes up repeatedly in high-density rack deployments: you have dual power feeds from independent PDUs, but the end device is single-corded. The VA4N31A0 sits inline and handles source failover automatically — no UPS bypass, no manual switching, no maintenance window. The 4.9kW capacity at 208V is sized for a single high-draw device or a small group of servers sharing a 30A circuit, and the NEMA L6-30R output means it drops directly into the most common 30A rack infrastructure without adapters.

Technical Highlights:

• SNMP v3 with RADIUS/TACACS+: Unlike units that offer SNMP v2c only, the v3 implementation here adds per-message authentication and encryption — the minimum bar for any environment running a formal compliance audit. Layer RADIUS or TACACS+ on top and you have centralized, auditable access control with no per-device credential sprawl.
• 200–240V / 50–60Hz Input Range: The wide input voltage acceptance means procurement can standardize on a single SKU across North American 208V and international 230V facilities. That simplifies spares inventory significantly for multi-site operators.
• 60°C Operating Ceiling: Most rack PDUs and transfer switches derate above 40–45°C. The 60°C rating on this unit means it stays fully operational in hot-aisle containment zones running above ASHRAE A2 limits — relevant for edge deployments in industrial or telecom environments where ambient control is imprecise.

Deployment Considerations:

• The single NEMA L6-30R output means this unit is designed for one downstream load connection. If you need per-outlet switching or multiple receptacle types on the output side, you'll need a downstream PDU or a different transfer switch model with multi-outlet output configurations.
• At 18 inches deep and 19 lbs, verify your rack's usable depth and rail load rating before mounting. Four-post racks with full-depth rails handle this without issue; two-post open-frame racks need proper front-and-rear support — cantilevering an 18-inch, 19-lb chassis from front cage nuts only is a structural risk.

This unit is well-matched for colocation cage deployments where a customer has dual-feed cabinet power (two independent A/B PDUs) and needs to protect single-corded network or storage equipment without adding a full UPS into the rack. The monitored management stack — SNMP v3, Syslog, SMTP, LDAP — integrates cleanly into the kind of centralized NOC infrastructure a colo tenant or enterprise data center team already operates.