Vertiv VP5N11A0 Switched Rack PDU with Outlet-Level Monitoring
The Vertiv VP5N11A0 is a 1U horizontal switched rack PDU from the Geist sub-brand, delivering 15A at 120V across six NEMA 5-15R receptacles with per-outlet switching and unit-level input power monitoring. Designed for IT closets, edge deployments, and small-to-mid-scale data center racks where remote power cycling and granular load visibility matter, it gives infrastructure teams real control over what's running — without requiring physical access to the rack. If you're managing distributed sites or dense co-lo rows and need to reboot a hung device remotely, this is the hardware that makes that possible.
Key Features
- Outlet-Level Switching with Bi-Stable Latching Relays: Each of the six NEMA 5-15R outlets can be switched on or off independently via the network interface. The bi-stable latching relay design retains outlet state across a monitoring device reboot — so a firmware upgrade or controller restart won't cycle your connected loads unexpectedly. Critical in edge environments where you can't afford a spontaneous power event.
- 15A / 1.4kW Input Capacity: The NEMA 5-15P input plug feeds a 1,400W capacity at 120V — appropriate for light-to-moderate IT loads such as switches, small servers, IP cameras, and access control panels in a single 1U footprint. Know your connected load before deploying; 15A circuits are standard in most office and IDF closets, so no facility re-work is typically needed.
- Unit-Level Input Power Monitoring: Real-time current and power draw data is available via the web interface, allowing you to track aggregate load and catch oversubscription before it becomes a tripped breaker. Particularly useful when building out racks incrementally — you'll know exactly how much headroom remains before adding the next device.
- Dual Ethernet Ports for Network Redundancy: Two independent Ethernet ports let you connect the PDU to separate network segments or use one as a daisy-chain pass-through to another managed PDU in the rack. In environments with separate management and production VLANs, this simplifies segmentation without additional switches.
- 128×128 LCD Touchscreen: A local display provides at-a-glance status on current draw and outlet states without opening a browser — useful during initial commissioning or when working on-site in a space with limited laptop access. Direct confirmation that the unit sees the load before you walk away.
- Hot-Swappable, Upgradeable Monitoring Device: The monitoring module can be swapped in the field without powering down connected loads. This means you can upgrade to a newer controller revision or replace a failed module while the rack stays live — no maintenance window required for the monitoring hardware itself.
- Environmental Sensor Port: An onboard sensor port accepts Vertiv Geist-compatible temperature, humidity, and airflow sensors. For racks in unmonitored edge locations, pairing this PDU with a temperature sensor adds a low-cost environmental alert layer without a separate monitoring appliance.
- Power Sequencing: Controlled startup sequencing across outlets prevents inrush current spikes when powering up a full rack. For environments with UPS-protected circuits, this extends battery ride-through time during planned startup sequences by spreading the load ramp across time.
- TAA-Compliant, UL-Listed, RoHS Certified: TAA compliance satisfies federal procurement requirements for GSA schedules and government contracts. UL listing covers electrical safety for US deployments. RoHS certification addresses environmental compliance for installations with sustainability mandates or international shipping.
Integration and Compatibility
The VP5N11A0 uses dual Ethernet for network management, integrating with SNMP-based DCIM platforms, building management systems, and remote monitoring tools that support standard power device MIBs. The Geist monitoring module communicates over the network and supports browser-based management without requiring proprietary software on every admin workstation. The environmental sensor port expands monitoring without additional network gear. For multi-PDU racks, the dual Ethernet topology supports daisy-chain topologies that reduce switch port consumption. The NEMA 5-15P input plug connects to standard 15A outlets — no specialty power whips or PDU-specific receptacles needed. Operating at 50/60Hz, the unit is compatible with both US and international facility power standards where 120V circuits are present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the VP5N11A0 TAA-compliant for federal procurement?
A: Yes. The VP5N11A0 is TAA-compliant, making it eligible for GSA schedule purchases and federal government contracts requiring domestically sourced or TAA-designated equipment.
Q: What is the outlet type and count on the VP5N11A0?
A: The VP5N11A0 has six NEMA 5-15R receptacles, each individually switchable. The input plug is a NEMA 5-15P.
Q: Can I replace the monitoring module without powering down connected equipment?
A: Yes. The monitoring device is hot-swappable, so you can upgrade or replace the controller while connected loads remain powered — no rack maintenance window required for the monitoring hardware.
Q: What is the warranty on the VP5N11A0?
A: Vertiv provides a 5-year limited warranty on the VP5N11A0.
Q: Does the VP5N11A0 support environmental monitoring?
A: Yes. The unit includes a dedicated environmental sensor port that accepts compatible temperature, humidity, and airflow sensors, enabling localized rack environment monitoring from the same management interface.
Q: What rack space does the VP5N11A0 occupy?
A: It is a 1U horizontal form factor, measuring 17 × 12 × 1.72 inches, and mounts in a standard 1U rack space.
The spec I always check first on a switched PDU is the relay type — and the VP5N11A0's bi-stable latching relays are the right answer. Unlike non-latching designs that default all outlets to a fixed state on controller reboot, latching relays hold their last commanded position, which means a network hiccup or firmware update won't silently power-cycle your connected gear. That one detail separates this unit from cheaper switched PDUs in edge and remote deployments where you're not standing in front of the rack.
Technical Highlights:
- Bi-Stable Latching Relays: Outlet states persist across monitoring module reboots — prevents unintended load cycling during controller firmware updates, a critical distinction for always-on edge infrastructure.
- Hot-Swappable Monitoring Module: Field-replaceable without cutting power to connected loads. Upgrade the controller at end-of-support cycle without scheduling a rack maintenance window or touching the connected devices.
- 1,400W / 15A Capacity with Unit-Level Metering: Real-time aggregate power draw data lets you track load growth incrementally. On a 15A circuit, you're working with a practical ceiling of around 1,260–1,344W (80% NEC rule) — the metering tells you exactly where you stand before adding the next device.
Deployment Considerations:
- The NEMA 5-15P input plug targets standard 15A circuits found in most IDF closets, edge data rooms, and small office equipment racks — no specialty receptacle or power whip needed. Confirm your upstream breaker is a dedicated 15A circuit, not shared with other loads, to stay within NEC 80% continuous load limits.
- The environmental sensor port is a valuable add-on for unmanned edge sites, but the sensor itself is not included in the base unit — budget separately for a Geist-compatible temperature or humidity probe if environmental alerting is part of your deployment requirement.
This unit fits cleanest in distributed enterprise edge racks — remote IDF closets, branch office server rooms, retail back-office equipment — where a facilities team isn't on-site daily and IT needs remote reboot capability plus basic environmental oversight from a single 1U device. The 5-year warranty backstops the investment across a typical refresh cycle.
