Vertiv Rpdu Switched Unit Level Monitoring EC 20A 240/415V WYE 11.5KW Horizontal - VP5N21A2

Vertiv VP5N21A2 Switched 3-Phase Rack PDU with Unit-Level Monitoring

Overview

The Vertiv VP5N21A2 is a horizontally mounted, switched three-phase rack PDU rated for 20A at 200–240/346–415V WYE, delivering up to 11.5kW to a single rack. Designed for dense compute environments — data centers, colocation facilities, and high-availability server rooms — it gives operations teams per-outlet remote switching control combined with unit-level current, voltage, and power monitoring, all managed over a standard 1G Ethernet port without additional software licenses.

If you're evaluating high-density power distribution for cabinets running dual-corded servers, storage arrays, or networking gear, the rack PDU category covers the full range of input ratings and form factors. For the VP5N21A2 specifically, the three-phase WYE input and IEC 60309 plug make it suited for international data center deployments and any North American facility wired for high-density three-phase circuits.

Key Features

• Switched Outlets for Remote Power Cycling: Individual outlet switching lets you reboot a hung server or network device from anywhere on the network — no hands-on datacenter dispatch required. At 12 outlets (C13 and C19 mix), you can manage both standard 1U servers and high-draw appliances from a single PDU without daisy-chaining.
• Unit-Level Current, Voltage, and Power Monitoring: Real-time monitoring of current (A), voltage (V), and power (W/kW) at the PDU input gives capacity planners an accurate baseline. Know exactly how loaded each cabinet is before adding gear — no separate current transducer required.
• 11.5kW at 20A Three-Phase WYE: The three-phase WYE topology distributes load across three legs, reducing branch circuit current draw per phase compared to single-phase equivalents. At 11.5kW capacity, this PDU handles a fully loaded 42U cabinet of modern 1U/2U servers without hitting the 80% loading threshold that triggers derating.
• IEC 60309 Input Plug, 3m Cable: The industrial-grade IEC 60309 input connector provides a positive latch and is the standard for data center PDUs in European and international colocation facilities. The 3m cord gives enough slack for overhead cable management trays and under-floor routing without extensions.
• C13 and C19 Mixed Outlet Configuration: C13 outlets handle standard servers and switches (up to 10A/outlet); C19 outlets support high-draw devices — blade chassis, large UPS bypass, or top-of-rack switches that ship with C20 cords. A mixed configuration eliminates the need for adapters on most cabinet builds.
• LCD Display for Local Status: The onboard LCD lets a technician verify load and status at the rack without a laptop or remote session. Useful during initial commissioning or when network access to the management interface is not yet established.
• Comprehensive Protocol Stack — SNMP v1/v2c/v3, LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS+: Enterprise authentication integration means the PDU drops into existing AAA infrastructure. SNMP v3 provides encrypted trap delivery to your NMS (SolarWinds, PRTG, Nagios, or any SNMP-capable platform). LDAP/RADIUS/TACACS+ support lets you enforce role-based access without managing local accounts on every PDU in the fleet.
• IPv6 Ready with HTTPS, SSH, and Syslog: IPv6 support future-proofs deployments in dual-stack environments. HTTPS and SSH encrypt all management sessions; Syslog integration routes events to your SIEM for audit trails and anomaly detection without manual log pulls.
• Modbus TCP for BMS Integration: Modbus TCP enables direct integration with building management systems (BMS) and DCIM platforms that speak Modbus. Power and current readings from the Vertiv power distribution line can feed floor-level power dashboards without an intermediary gateway.
• USB and Serial (RS-232) Ports: The USB port supports local firmware updates and configuration without network access. The RS-232 serial port provides out-of-band console access — critical when you need to reconfigure the management interface after a network misconfiguration.
• 50/60 Hz Input Frequency: Accepts both 50Hz (international/EU) and 60Hz (North American) grid frequencies, making the VP5N21A2 deployable in global colocation environments without hardware substitution.

Integration and Compatibility

The VP5N21A2 integrates with any SNMP-capable NMS via SNMP v1/v2c/v3 MIBs. DCIM platforms that support Modbus TCP polling can ingest unit-level power data for capacity management workflows. Authentication integrates with LDAP directories (Active Directory, OpenLDAP), RADIUS servers, and TACACS+ — matching the access control model used for network switches and out-of-band management devices in the same rack. The switched PDU form factor pairs naturally with remote KVM switches and out-of-band management cards for a complete lights-out management stack. For environments standardizing on Vertiv infrastructure, consider pairing with compatible UPS and power protection equipment upstream to maintain a consistent management ecosystem. NTP synchronization keeps event timestamps accurate across distributed sites — a prerequisite for meaningful SIEM correlation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What input plug does the VP5N21A2 use, and what circuit does it require?

A: The VP5N21A2 uses an IEC 60309 industrial input connector with a 3-meter cord. It requires a three-phase WYE circuit rated for 20A at 200–240V (line-to-neutral) or 346–415V (line-to-line), supporting 50 or 60 Hz.

Q: How many outlets does the VP5N21A2 have, and what types?

A: The VP5N21A2 provides 12 AC outlets in a mix of IEC C13 and IEC C19 coupler types. C13 outlets are suited for standard servers and network devices; C19 outlets handle higher-draw equipment with C20 power cords.

Q: What network protocols does the VP5N21A2 support for monitoring and management?

A: Supported protocols include SNMP v1/v2c/v3, HTTP/HTTPS, SSH, LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS+, NTP, SMTP, Syslog, Modbus TCP, DHCP, RSTP, and both IPv4 and IPv6. This covers NMS integration, enterprise authentication, secure remote management, and BMS/DCIM connectivity.

Q: Does the VP5N21A2 provide per-outlet switching or only unit-level switching?

A: The VP5N21A2 is classified as a switched PDU with unit-level monitoring. It provides outlet-level remote switching control across all 12 outlets, allowing individual devices to be power-cycled or shut down remotely.

Q: What does unit-level monitoring mean on the VP5N21A2?

A: Unit-level monitoring means the PDU measures and reports current (amps), voltage (volts), and power (watts/kilowatts) at the PDU input — giving a full picture of cabinet-level power consumption. This data is accessible via the LCD display locally and via SNMP or the web interface remotely.

Q: Is the VP5N21A2 compatible with building management systems?

A: Yes. The VP5N21A2 supports Modbus TCP, which is the standard protocol used by most building management systems (BMS) and DCIM platforms for power metering integration. This allows real-time power data to be pulled into floor-level or facility-wide dashboards without additional gateways.

Eden Phillips

When evaluating the VP5N21A2 for a colocation or enterprise data center build, the detail that stands out is the protocol depth: SNMP v3 with encrypted traps, LDAP/RADIUS/TACACS+ for AAA, Modbus TCP for BMS integration, and Syslog for SIEM forwarding — all on a single 1G RJ-45 port. That's a management stack that fits the security posture of a modern SOC without bolt-on gateways.

Technical Highlights:

• Three-Phase WYE at 20A / 11.5kW: The WYE topology distributes load across three legs — at 11.5kW total, each phase carries roughly 3.8kW, staying well below the 80% derating threshold even in fully loaded 42U cabinets.
• SNMP v3 + LDAP/RADIUS/TACACS+: Encrypted SNMP v3 traps land in your NMS without cleartext credentials on the wire; TACACS+ integration means PDU access follows the same privilege model as your network infrastructure — no separate local account management across a fleet of PDUs.
• Modbus TCP on Ethernet: Direct BMS/DCIM polling via Modbus TCP over the same 1G port used for SNMP — no RS-485 adapter, no secondary wiring. Real-time kW readings feed capacity dashboards without intermediary gateways.

Deployment Considerations:

• The IEC 60309 input plug requires a compatible three-phase WYE receptacle at the rack. Verify your raised-floor or overhead busway whip is terminated correctly before ordering — a 20A IEC 60309 3-phase WYE is not the same connector family as a single-phase NEMA L6-20.
• Unit-level monitoring covers the PDU input only — current, voltage, and power are measured at the feed, not per individual outlet. If per-outlet metering (individual device-level kWh tracking) is a hard requirement, evaluate a metered-at-outlet variant in the Vertiv Geist line instead.

The VP5N21A2 is a strong fit for international colocation deployments and enterprise data halls where three-phase IEC 60309 circuits are the facility standard, AAA infrastructure is already in place, and the operations team needs remote outlet switching without deploying a separate PDU management platform.