Vertiv Rpdu Rack Transfer Switch Switched Unit Level Monitoring 30A 120V 2.8KW HOR - VA5N32A0

Vertiv VA5N32A0 Switched Rack Transfer PDU — 30A, 120V, Horizontal 0U

Overview

The Vertiv VA5N32A0 is a horizontally-mounted, 0U switched and monitored rack power distribution unit rated at 30A, 120V (2.8 kW) — purpose-built for data center operators and IT architects who need granular, per-outlet switching control with enterprise-grade environmental monitoring. With a NEMA L5-30P input plug and 12 NEMA 5-20R output receptacles, this unit drops directly into an existing 20A-receptacle infrastructure while drawing from a 30A circuit, giving you headroom for dense server or networking loads without rewiring. The black, horizontal form factor is designed for rack power distribution environments where front-of-rack LCD visibility and space efficiency matter.

Where a basic PDU just routes power, the VA5N32A0 gives network operations teams the ability to remotely reboot locked-up servers, cycle unresponsive network gear, and audit actual power draw — all without physical access to the rack. That combination of switching, monitoring, and enterprise-protocol support makes it a realistic fit for colocation facilities, enterprise server rooms, and any managed rack environment where uptime accountability matters.

Key Features

• 12 NEMA 5-20R Switched Outlets: Each of the 12 receptacles can be individually switched on or off remotely, which means a hung server or unresponsive switch gets rebooted without a truck roll — critical in remote or lights-out data center deployments.
• 30A / 120V Input on NEMA L5-30P: The locking L5-30P plug means accidental disconnection isn't a risk during maintenance, and the 30A feed (2.8 kW) gives you comfortable overhead on a rack of 1U compute nodes averaging 150–200W each — roughly 12–14 devices before you approach the 80% load threshold.
• Current, Power, and Voltage Monitoring: Real-time monitoring of all three key electrical parameters via the front LCD display means you catch load creep before it becomes a circuit trip — no guesswork on whether you're approaching 80% of rated capacity.
• SNMP v1/v2c/v3 with HTTPS, SSH, and Syslog: The full Vertiv power management protocol stack — SNMP v3 for encrypted trap delivery, SSH for CLI management, HTTPS for browser-based control, and Syslog integration for your SIEM — means this PDU fits into any existing NMS or DCIM workflow without protocol gaps.
• LDAP, RADIUS, and TACACS+ Authentication: Enterprise authentication protocols are supported natively, so this unit can be folded into your existing AAA infrastructure. No need to manage local credentials for each PDU independently in multi-rack environments.
• IPv4 and IPv6 Dual-Stack with DHCP and NTP: Dual-stack networking lets you deploy in either address space without a protocol conversion layer. NTP synchronization ensures event timestamps in Syslog and SNMP traps are correlation-ready from day one.
• Modbus TCP Support: Beyond standard IT protocols, Modbus TCP support opens integration paths into building management systems (BMS) and industrial SCADA environments — useful in edge deployments or facilities that monitor electrical infrastructure alongside IT gear via a unified platform.
• Front-Panel LCD Display with LED Indicators: Local visibility of electrical status without needing network connectivity — relevant during initial commissioning, network outages, or physical audits.
• Single RJ-45 Ethernet Port + USB and Serial Ports: The 1 × RJ-45 network port handles all IP-based management. The serial port supports out-of-band console access for recovery scenarios, and the USB port enables local firmware updates or configuration management without network dependency.
• 3-Meter Input Cable: The 3m (approximately 10 ft) power cord provides enough slack to reach a floor-level PDU panel or overhead cable tray without tension on the connector — a practical detail in deep-rack environments.
• Single-Phase, 50/60 Hz Input: Accepts both 50 Hz and 60 Hz utility feeds, covering North American 60 Hz infrastructure and international facilities running on 50 Hz — relevant for globally standardized equipment specs.

Integration & Compatibility

The VA5N32A0 integrates with standard DCIM and NMS platforms via SNMP v1/v2c/v3, making it compatible with tools such as SolarWinds, PRTG, Nagios, and any SNMP-capable monitoring stack. HTTPS-based web management and SSH CLI access cover the two most common direct-management workflows. RADIUS and TACACS+ support means integration with Cisco ISE, FreeRADIUS, or similar AAA platforms requires no special configuration beyond standard service definitions. For facilities using building automation, Modbus TCP enables the VA5N32A0 to appear as a power node in BMS dashboards alongside HVAC and lighting data. Pair this unit with a compatible UPS upstream to complete a managed power chain with both switching control and runtime protection. For organizations building out structured rack environments, rack enclosures and cable management accessories are worth specifying alongside this PDU to maintain clean power and data pathways.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can each outlet on the VA5N32A0 be switched independently?

A: Yes. All 12 NEMA 5-20R outlets support individual on/off switching, allowing you to remotely reboot any single device without affecting others on the same PDU.

Q: What input plug does the VA5N32A0 use, and does it require a dedicated circuit?

A: The VA5N32A0 uses a NEMA L5-30P locking plug and requires a dedicated 30A, 120V circuit. Per NEC guidelines, you should plan to load the unit to no more than 80% of rated capacity — approximately 24A or 2.2 kW — for continuous operation.

Q: Does the VA5N32A0 support SNMP v3?

A: Yes. The unit supports SNMP v1, v2c, and v3. SNMPv3 provides encrypted, authenticated trap delivery, which is the version recommended for production monitoring environments.

Q: What authentication methods are supported for remote management access?

A: The VA5N32A0 supports LDAP, RADIUS, and TACACS+ for centralized authentication, in addition to local user accounts. This allows integration with enterprise AAA systems such as Cisco ISE or Active Directory-backed RADIUS servers.

Q: Does the VA5N32A0 fit in a standard 1U rack space?

A: The VA5N32A0 is a 0U horizontal unit, meaning it mounts horizontally in the rack and does not consume standard 1U equipment slots — it typically installs in a side-mount or dedicated PDU bay position depending on the rack enclosure.

Q: Can the VA5N32A0 integrate with building management or SCADA systems?

A: Yes. Modbus TCP support enables integration with building management systems and industrial monitoring platforms that use Modbus as their protocol, extending power visibility beyond IT-only monitoring tools.

Eden Phillips

The VA5N32A0 is the Vertiv unit I reach for when a rack environment needs both remote outlet switching and real-time electrical monitoring on a single 30A feed. The combination of current, power, and voltage monitoring through the front LCD alongside SNMP v3 trap delivery means you get actionable data at both the local panel and in your NMS simultaneously — no choosing between one or the other.

Technical Highlights:

• 12 Individually Switched NEMA 5-20R Outlets: Per-outlet control over a 30A/120V (2.8 kW) feed gives meaningful granularity — you can cycle a single hung server without touching adjacent gear, which matters in high-density racks where a full PDU reboot is not acceptable.
• SNMP v3 + LDAP/RADIUS/TACACS+: SNMPv3's encrypted traps combined with enterprise AAA integration means this unit can be deployed in PCI-DSS or SOC 2 environments without creating a credential management exception — a real operational difference versus PDUs that only support local accounts or v1/v2c.
• Modbus TCP: Often overlooked on IT-focused PDUs. Modbus TCP support lets facilities teams pull VA5N32A0 power data into BMS dashboards alongside HVAC telemetry — valuable in colocation and edge sites where IT and facilities share a monitoring platform.

Deployment Considerations:

• The NEMA L5-30P input requires a twist-lock 30A receptacle at the power panel — verify your rack's dedicated circuit is L5-30 before ordering. A standard NEMA 5-30 or 14-30 won't mate with this plug without an adapter.
• With 12 outlets rated at 20A each on a shared 30A feed, stay disciplined about load balancing. If you distribute high-draw compute loads unevenly, you can approach circuit capacity even with several outlets idle — monitor actual draw, not just outlet count.

This unit is a strong fit for managed colocation deployments and enterprise server rooms where the operations team needs remote reboot capability without on-site presence, and where the existing NMS or SIEM infrastructure expects SNMP v3 and Syslog from every managed device in the environment.