Vertiv VP5N20AB Switched Vertical Rack PDU with Unit-Level Monitoring
Overview
The Vertiv VP5N20AB is a switched, vertical-mount rack power distribution unit rated at 20A/208V (3.3kW) with per-unit-level monitoring and 24 U-Lock secured outlets — the right PDU for high-density data center and edge rack deployments where remote outlet switching, physical security against accidental disconnection, and regulatory compliance all matter in the same enclosure. The VP5N20AB ships with a 21-outlet C13 and 3-outlet C19 configuration, covering the typical mix of 1U servers and high-draw devices like KVM switches, storage controllers, or GPU nodes that share a single rack. Browse the full Vertiv power and infrastructure catalog for complementary rack power and cooling products.
Key Features
- Switched Unit-Level Monitoring: Per-unit outlet switching means you can power-cycle a hung server, router, or storage node remotely without physical rack access — critical for lights-out data centers, co-location environments, or any facility where the cost of an on-site tech visit outweighs the cost of the PDU itself.
- 20A / 208V / 3.3kW Capacity: At 208V input, this PDU delivers 3.3kW of usable power — roughly 16 standard 1U servers at average draw, or fewer high-wattage GPU or storage nodes. Size your load budget against 80% of nameplate (2.64kW effective) per NEC best practice before committing to a single 20A circuit.
- 21x U-Lock C13 Outlets: The U-Lock connector retention system physically locks power cords into each C13 receptacle, preventing accidental pull-outs from cable management shifts, vibration, or routine rack work nearby. In a dense server environment, a single accidentally disconnected cord can mean a production outage — U-Lock eliminates that failure mode without zip-ties or cable anchors.
- 3x U-Lock C19 Outlets: The three C19 receptacles handle higher-draw devices — network switches, storage enclosures, or UPS bypass connections — without adapters. The same U-Lock mechanism applies, so your heaviest-draw connections are also your most physically secured.
- Vertical Rack Form Factor: Vertical PDU mounting routes power distribution along the side rails of the cabinet, freeing every rack unit for active equipment. This is the standard approach in high-density deployments where 1U horizontal PDUs consume real estate that should be carrying revenue-generating hardware.
- 208V Input (Single-Phase): The 208V rating aligns with standard three-phase facility power distribution commonly found in purpose-built data centers. If your facility runs 120V single-phase (typical office or light-commercial power), this is not the unit — confirm your panel and circuit specs before ordering.
- RoHS Compliant: RoHS compliance means the VP5N20AB meets EU Directive restrictions on hazardous substances — a procurement requirement for European deployments and for enterprise buyers whose sustainability policies mandate RoHS across IT hardware.
- UL and c-UL Listed (60950) / FCC Part 15 Class A: UL 60950 listing covers IT equipment safety — required by most enterprise procurement and facility acceptance criteria. FCC Part 15 Class A certification confirms the unit meets commercial radiated emissions limits, so it won't introduce interference into sensitive rack environments running precision timing or RF-adjacent equipment.
Integration & Compatibility
The VP5N20AB is designed for standard rack PDU deployments in data center, edge compute, and enterprise server room environments. The 208V single-phase input requires a compatible facility circuit — typically a NEMA L6-20P or equivalent locking inlet depending on the cord set. Pair with a compatible managed network switch on an out-of-band management VLAN to ensure PDU switching access survives primary network failures. For full rack power infrastructure planning, review our UPS systems to match runtime and capacity to this PDU's 3.3kW load ceiling. The U-Lock C13 and C19 outlets accept standard IEC 60320 cords — no proprietary cables required, though U-Lock-compatible cord sets maximize the retention benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum load the VP5N20AB can handle?
A: The VP5N20AB is rated at 20A / 208V, which gives a nameplate capacity of 3.3kW. Per standard NEC practice, plan your connected load at no more than 80% of nameplate — effectively 2.64kW continuous — to avoid tripping the upstream breaker under sustained load.
Q: What outlets does the VP5N20AB provide?
A: The VP5N20AB provides 21 U-Lock IEC C13 outlets and 3 U-Lock IEC C19 outlets, for a total of 24 secured, switchable receptacles.
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