Vertiv VP5N30AP Switched Vertical 0U Rack PDU — 30A, 208V, 24-Outlet
Overview
The Vertiv VP5N30AP is a 0U vertical switched rack PDU designed for high-density data center and server room deployments where remote outlet-level control and real-time power monitoring are non-negotiable. Rated at 30A/208V (4.9kW), it delivers 24 mixed C13/C19 outlets on a NEMA L6-30P input — a format that fits directly into standard 3m power whips without adapters in most raised-floor and hot-aisle/cold-aisle cabinets. If you're managing colocation gear, network infrastructure, or rack power distribution at scale, the VP5N30AP gives you per-outlet switching and unit-level current, voltage, and power monitoring from a single device.
The vertical 0U form factor keeps all 42U of usable rack space intact. This matters in fully loaded cabinets where a 1U or 2U horizontal PDU would displace revenue-generating equipment. A built-in LCD display provides at-a-glance readings without requiring a network connection during initial commissioning or troubleshooting.
Key Features
- Per-Outlet Switching (24 Outlets): Each of the 24 outlets can be independently switched on, off, or power-cycled remotely. That means you can reboot a hung server in a remote cage without dispatching a technician — the operational savings add up fast in multi-site deployments or after-hours incidents.
- Mixed C13/C19 Outlet Configuration: The VP5N30AP provides a combination of C13 and C19 couplers, which means you can feed both standard 1U/2U servers (C13) and higher-draw devices like blade chassis or UPS bypass modules (C19) from the same PDU without adapters or separate circuits. Verify exact C13/C19 counts against the Vertiv spec sheet for your rack design.
- 30A / 208V Input (NEMA L6-30P): The L6-30P plug mates directly with standard 208V 30A circuits common in North American data centers. At 4.9kW, this PDU sits comfortably within the capacity of a single 30A breaker at the recommended 80% derate (24A continuous), which is exactly the load planning threshold facilities teams enforce. Do not attempt to draw the full 30A continuously.
- Unit-Level Current, Voltage, and Power Monitoring: Real-time monitoring of all three parameters — not just current — gives facilities and NOC teams the data to catch trending overloads before a breaker trips. Voltage sag under load is a common early indicator of upstream distribution problems that current-only monitors miss entirely.
- Comprehensive Network Protocol Support: The VP5N30AP supports SNMP v1/v2c/v3, HTTPS, SSH, LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS+, Syslog, NTP, Modbus TCP, and both IPv4/IPv6. That's the full enterprise authentication and monitoring stack — integrate it with your existing DCIM, NMS, or SIEM without deploying a separate protocol bridge.
- Dual Ethernet (RJ-45) Ports: Two network ports support daisy-chaining multiple PDUs on a single IP address, which reduces switch port consumption in dense deployments. When you have 10–20 PDUs per row, this is meaningful from both a CapEx and port-budgeting standpoint.
- Daisy Chain Support: Directly related to the dual-port design — chain PDUs together and manage the entire row from one IP. This simplifies SNMP polling configurations and firewall rules in segmented data center networks.
- Vertical / 0U Mounting: Installs in the dedicated zero-U space at the side or rear of standard 4-post cabinets. Preserves all 42U of rack unit space for active equipment. The 3m cable length provides enough reach for most standard cabinet depths and overhead cable management configurations.
- LCD Display: The local display lets technicians read current load without laptop, credentials, or network connectivity. Useful during initial power-up, circuit verification, and any scenario where the management network is unavailable.
- Enterprise Security Protocols (RADIUS, TACACS+, LDAP): Authentication integrates with existing directory infrastructure. TACACS+ in particular is common in network-heavy environments (Cisco shops) where a unified AAA framework is already in place. This eliminates the need to manage local PDU credentials separately from your broader identity management system.
- Wide Voltage Input Range (200–240V, 50/60Hz): Accepts the full range of 208V and 230V supply voltages, which means the same PDU SKU deploys in North American 208V data centers and European 230V facilities — useful for organizations standardizing equipment across regions.
Integration & Compatibility
The VP5N30AP connects to managed network infrastructure via its dual RJ-45 ports and integrates with DCIM platforms, NMS tools, and SIEM systems through SNMP v1/v2c/v3 and Syslog. RADIUS and TACACS+ authentication align with enterprise AAA frameworks common in colocation and enterprise data centers. Modbus TCP support extends compatibility to building management systems (BMS) and industrial monitoring platforms that don't speak SNMP natively.
For organizations running Vertiv's Intelligent Infrastructure Management (IIM) suite or third-party DCIM tools, the VP5N30AP's standard SNMP MIB structure and dual-IP daisy chain topology are compatible with most row-level polling architectures. Verify MIB file availability and firmware version requirements with Vertiv's support documentation before deploying at scale.
Pair this unit with a compatible UPS upstream to complete a fully monitored and switched power distribution chain from UPS output to individual server inlet. For data center power planning, factor the 4.9kW maximum load and the L6-30P input requirement when sizing circuits and specifying upstream breaker panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum continuous load the VP5N30AP should carry?
A: The VP5N30AP is rated at 30A/208V (4.9kW maximum). Per standard data center practice, continuous loads should not exceed 80% of the breaker rating — 24A continuous in this case. Exceeding this threshold risks nuisance tripping of upstream breakers.
Q: Can I manage multiple VP5N30AP units from a single IP address?
A: Yes. The VP5N30AP supports daisy chaining via its dual RJ-45 Ethernet ports, allowing multiple units to be managed from a single network address. This reduces switch port consumption in dense row deployments.
Q: Does the VP5N30AP support SNMP v3?
A: Yes. The VP5N30AP supports SNMP v1, v2c, and v3, along with HTTPS, SSH, RADIUS, TACACS+, LDAP, Syslog, NTP, Modbus TCP, and both IPv4 and IPv6 — the full enterprise monitoring and authentication stack.
Q: What type of power plug does the VP5N30AP use?
A: The VP5N30AP uses a NEMA L6-30P input plug, which connects to standard 30A/208V locking receptacles common in North American data centers and colocation facilities.
Q: Does the VP5N30AP monitor power at the outlet level or only at the unit level?
A: The VP5N30AP provides unit-level monitoring of current, voltage, and power. Per-outlet switching is supported, but verify outlet-level metering capabilities against the current Vertiv datasheet if granular per-outlet power measurement is a requirement for your deployment.
Q: Can the VP5N30AP be mounted horizontally in a standard rack?
A: The VP5N30AP is designed for vertical 0U mounting in the side or rear channel of standard 4-post cabinets, preserving all rack unit space for active equipment. It is not intended for horizontal 1U/2U rack mounting.
The VP5N30AP is the unit I reach for when a client needs switched, monitored power distribution in a fully loaded cabinet and can't afford to sacrifice rack U-space to a horizontal PDU. The 0U vertical form factor combined with a 30A/208V NEMA L6-30P input and 24 mixed C13/C19 outlets covers the majority of enterprise server room and colocation deployments I encounter — and the dual-port daisy chain is what makes it practical to deploy at row scale without burning a switch port per PDU.
Technical Highlights:
- 30A L6-30P Input at 208V: Mates directly to standard North American data center 208V circuits. At 80% derate that's 24A continuous — exactly what you'd specify on your circuit load sheet. No step-down transformers, no adapter chains.
- SNMP v1/v2c/v3 + RADIUS/TACACS+/LDAP: The full enterprise AAA and monitoring stack is built in. Plug it into your existing NMS via SNMP v3 and authenticate against your directory — no local credential management sprawl across dozens of PDUs.
- Dual RJ-45 with Daisy Chain: In a 10-PDU row, that's 10 switch ports saved versus single-port units. At scale across multiple rows and pods, this is a real infrastructure simplification, not a minor footnote.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 3m cord length is adequate for most standard-depth cabinets with overhead whip connections, but measure your cable path before ordering — short cords are a painful problem to discover at rack installation time.
- The unit provides unit-level current, voltage, and power monitoring — confirm with the Vertiv datasheet whether per-outlet metering is included on this specific SKU if your DCIM or billing system requires outlet-granular data.
The VP5N30AP is the right call for enterprise colocation buildouts, high-density server rooms, and managed service provider infrastructure where remote outlet control, enterprise authentication integration, and row-level daisy-chain management are requirements rather than nice-to-haves.
