Vertiv Rpdu Switched Unit Level Monitoring EC 15A 120V 1.4KW Horizontal (12) NEMA - VP5N11A1

Vertiv VP5N11A1 Switched Rack PDU with Unit-Level Monitoring, 15A, 120V, 12-Outlet, Horizontal

Overview

The Vertiv VP5N11A1 is a horizontal, 0U-profile switched rack PDU designed for IT environments where remote outlet control and real-time power monitoring are operational requirements — not nice-to-haves. Rated at 15A/120V (1.4kW), it distributes power across 12 NEMA 5-15R receptacles with individual outlet switching and continuously tracks current, voltage, and power at the unit level. For data center managers, co-location operators, and enterprise IT teams who need to reboot hung devices, de-energize unused ports, and audit actual watt consumption from a browser or NMS — without dispatching someone to the cage — the VP5N11A1 delivers that capability in a compact horizontal footprint.

The Vertiv rack PDU line spans basic metered models up through switched, outlet-metered, and environmental-sensing variants. The VP5N11A1 sits in the switched tier: you get remote on/off control per outlet plus aggregate unit monitoring, which covers the majority of enterprise edge and mid-density rack deployments where per-outlet metering isn't yet justified.

Key Features

• Per-Outlet Switching (12 Outlets): Each of the 12 NEMA 5-15R receptacles can be individually switched on, off, or power-cycled remotely. In practice this means you can reboot a locked-up server, router, or switch without a hands-on dispatch — critical when your racks are in a remote branch, a colo, or a locked cage with limited after-hours access.
• 15A / 120V / 1.4kW Rating: The L5-15P input plug feeds a 15A circuit at 100–120V. At 1.4kW maximum load, this PDU is appropriately sized for a half-populated 1U/2U server rack or an edge networking cabinet. Plan to derate to ~80% (12A) for continuous operation per NEC guidance — 12 × 1A average loads fit cleanly within that envelope.
• Unit-Level Current, Voltage, and Power Monitoring: Real-time measurements of input amps, volts, and watts are visible through the web interface and polled via SNMP. Unlike a basic metered PDU that shows only amps, this model exposes wattage — giving your facilities or finance team actual consumption data for chargeback, capacity planning, or PUE calculations.
• LED Display: An onboard LED indicator panel provides at-a-glance status without requiring a network connection — useful during initial commissioning or when network access is unavailable.
• Horizontal 0U Mounting: The horizontal form factor installs in a standard 1U rack space, keeping the PDU anchored inside the rack rather than consuming vertical real estate on the side rails. Suitable for shallow-depth racks and enclosures where side-mount 0U PDUs don't fit.
• Enterprise Protocol Stack — SNMP v1/v2c/v3, HTTPS, SSH, LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS+, Modbus TCP, Syslog: This is where the VP5N11A1 earns its place in managed enterprise environments. SNMP v3 provides authenticated, encrypted polling for your NMS (PRTG, SolarWinds, Nagios, etc.). HTTPS and SSH secure the management interface. LDAP, RADIUS, and TACACS+ integration means you don't manage local PDU credentials separately — authentication routes through your existing directory or AAA infrastructure. Modbus TCP opens integration with BMS and DCIM platforms that speak industrial protocols. Syslog pushes events to your centralized log aggregator.
• IPv4 and IPv6 Support: Dual-stack networking means this PDU integrates cleanly into both legacy and modern network segments without requiring a separate management VLAN workaround for IPv6-only environments.
• NTP Time Synchronization: Outlet-switching events and alert logs carry accurate timestamps when NTP is configured — essential for correlating power events with server incidents during post-incident review.
• 1× RJ-45 Ethernet + 1× USB + 1× Serial Port: The RJ-45 handles primary network management. The serial port provides out-of-band console access when the network path is unavailable — an underrated feature for disaster recovery scenarios. The USB port supports local firmware updates or configuration transfers without a live network session.
• 3-Meter (9.8 ft) Input Cord: The 3m L5-15P cord provides enough slack to reach the PDU or UPS input at the bottom of a standard rack without requiring an extension — avoids the cable management issues common with shorter 1.8m cords on taller enclosures.
• SMTP Email Alerting: Configure threshold-based email alerts for over-current conditions so your operations team gets notified before a breaker trips, rather than after a service outage.

Integration & Compatibility

The VP5N11A1 integrates with any SNMP-capable NMS via standard MIBs, making it compatible with network monitoring platforms including PRTG, SolarWinds, Nagios, Zabbix, and most DCIM tools that support Modbus TCP. Authentication delegation to LDAP/Active Directory, RADIUS, or TACACS+ means this PDU fits directly into enterprise IAM frameworks without creating a separate credential silo. For facilities teams, Modbus TCP enables integration with building management systems (BMS) for centralized energy monitoring.

Deploying alongside a compatible UPS on a 15A branch circuit is the typical configuration. The NEMA L5-15P locking input plug connects securely to standard UPS output receptacles rated for L5-15P — verify your UPS output receptacle type before ordering. The 12 NEMA 5-15R outputs are non-locking, standard for 1U/2U server and networking equipment.

For rack environments with higher density or 208/240V requirements, consider stepping up to a higher-amperage or 208V variant in the Vertiv switched PDU family. For deployments requiring per-outlet metering in addition to switching, evaluate the outlet-metered tier within the Vertiv PDU catalog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I control individual outlets remotely on the VP5N11A1?

A: Yes. The VP5N11A1 is a switched PDU — each of the 12 NEMA 5-15R outlets can be individually turned on, turned off, or power-cycled via the web interface, SNMP, SSH, or serial console.

Q: What network protocols does the VP5N11A1 support for management?

A: The VP5N11A1 supports DHCP, HTTP, HTTPS, IPv4, IPv6, LDAP, NTP, RADIUS, RSTP, SSH, SMTP, SNMP (v1, v2c, and v3), Syslog, TACACS+, and Modbus TCP. This covers integration with enterprise NMS platforms, AAA servers, BMS systems, and DCIM tools.

Q: What is the maximum load for the VP5N11A1?

A: The VP5N11A1 is rated for 15A at 100–120V, equating to 1.4kW maximum. For continuous operation, the NEC 80% continuous load rule applies — plan for no more than 12A sustained draw across all 12 outlets combined.

Q: Does the VP5N11A1 support LDAP or Active Directory authentication?

A: Yes. The VP5N11A1 supports LDAP authentication, allowing management access credentials to be validated against an Active Directory or LDAP-compatible directory service. It also supports RADIUS and TACACS+ for AAA integration.

Q: What type of input plug does the VP5N11A1 use?

A: The input uses a NEMA L5-15P locking plug on a 3-meter (approximately 9.8 ft) cord, rated for 15A at 120V. Ensure your UPS or power source has a compatible L5-15P receptacle.

Q: Is the VP5N11A1 rack-mountable and what space does it require?

A: The VP5N11A1 is a horizontal PDU that installs in a standard 1U rack space (0U-profile in horizontal orientation). It is not a zero-U vertical side-mount unit — it occupies a 1U slot in the front or rear of the rack.