Vertiv VP5N30AN Switched Vertical PDU with Outlet-Level Monitoring
Overview
The Vertiv VP5N30AN is a 0U vertical rack PDU delivering switched, outlet-level power management at 30A/208V (4.9 kW) across 36 receptacles — the right unit when you need remote power cycling, granular load visibility, and protocol-rich integration in a dense rack without burning a rack unit on horizontal PDU real estate. The NEMA L6-30P input plug and 200–240 V single-phase design pair it directly with the stepped-down 208 V circuits found in most North American data center and IDF environments. The 3-meter cord gives you clean reach from floor-level whips or overhead busway without extension adapters in most standard 42U–48U cabinets.
Key Features
- Switched Outlet-Level Control: Each of the 36 outlets can be individually switched on, off, or sequenced on reboot — meaning you can power-cycle a hung switch, NVR, or server from your management station without dispatching a tech to the rack. That single capability justifies the step up from a basic monitored PDU in any remote or unmanned location.
- 36 AC Outlets — C13 + C19 Mix: The outlet mix covers both standard 1U/2U servers and appliances (C13) and higher-draw devices like UPS bypass units, GPU servers, and large storage arrays (C19). Fitting both outlet types on one PDU eliminates the need for a second unit to handle the occasional high-draw device in an otherwise 1U-dense rack.
- 30A/208V Single-Phase Input (NEMA L6-30P): At 4.9 kW usable load, this PDU fills a rack comfortably without pushing the 80% derate on the branch circuit. The L6-30P plug mates with standard 30A/208V circuit breakers in data center PDPs — no adapters required for a properly provisioned rack circuit.
- Current, Power, and Voltage Monitoring: Real-time inlet-level measurement across all three parameters gives you the data to catch drift before a breaker trips. If your facility team is tracking power consumption per rack for chargeback or efficiency reporting, this unit feeds those numbers directly via SNMP or Modbus TCP without requiring a separate branch-circuit meter.
- Protocol Stack: SNMP v1/v2c/v3, HTTPS, SSH, RADIUS, LDAP, TACACS+, Modbus TCP, Syslog, NTP: This isn't a one-protocol box. The full enterprise stack means it integrates into DCIM platforms (via SNMP v3 or Modbus TCP), authenticates against your existing directory (LDAP/RADIUS/TACACS+), logs events to your SIEM (Syslog), and maintains time sync (NTP) for accurate event correlation. IPv4 and IPv6 dual-stack avoids rewiring your management VLAN as you migrate addressing.
- Vertical 0U Mounting: Installs in the vertical channel alongside your patch panels — zero rack unit impact. In fully populated racks where every U is occupied, the 0U form factor is the only viable PDU geometry. The black finish blends with standard rack hardware.
- LED Display + USB + Serial Ports: The front-panel LED provides at-a-glance local readings without opening a browser. The RJ-45 Ethernet port handles all remote management; the serial port provides out-of-band console access if the network path is down; the USB port supports firmware updates or local configuration without network access — useful during initial commissioning or recovery.
- Lock-in Outlets: The locking C13/C19 receptacles prevent accidental cord pulls in high-density environments. In a cabinet with 20+ patched connections, a shifted cord that cuts power to a production device is a preventable incident — locking outlets remove that failure mode.
Integration & Compatibility
The VP5N30AN integrates with any DCIM or building management system that can consume SNMP v1/v2c/v3 or Modbus TCP — including Vertiv's own Trellis platform, Schneider EcoStruxure, and third-party tools like PRTG, SolarWinds, or Nagios. HTTPS and SSH secure the management interface at rest and in transit. RADIUS, LDAP, and TACACS+ support means you're not managing a separate local credential store — tie it into your existing AAA infrastructure on day one. For environments running mixed IPv4/IPv6, dual-stack support avoids the need for translation or separate management segments. DHCP simplifies initial addressing in managed environments; static IP assignment is available for production. Check your rack power distribution requirements and review the full Vertiv PDU catalog for matched input cord, outlet count, and amperage variants before finalizing your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What input plug does the VP5N30AN use, and what circuit does it require?
A: The VP5N30AN ships with a NEMA L6-30P input plug and requires a 30A/208V single-phase circuit. In most North American data centers, this maps directly to a standard 30A/208V dedicated branch circuit with an L6-30 receptacle.
Q: How many outlets does the VP5N30AN have, and what types are they?
A: The unit provides 36 AC outlets in a mix of C13 and C19 coupler types, with locking receptacles to prevent accidental cord disconnection. This covers both standard server power supplies (C13) and higher-draw devices (C19).
Q: Can I remotely power-cycle individual outlets on the VP5N30AN?
A: Yes. The VP5N30AN is a switched PDU with outlet-level control, allowing you to individually switch outlets on, off, or sequence their reboot via the network management interface — no physical access to the rack required.
Q: What network protocols does the VP5N30AN support for management integration?
A: The VP5N30AN supports SNMP v1/v2c/v3, HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, DHCP, IPv4, IPv6, LDAP, NTP, RADIUS, RSTP, SMTP, Syslog, TACACS+, and Modbus TCP — providing broad compatibility with DCIM platforms, monitoring tools, and enterprise AAA infrastructure.
Q: Does the VP5N30AN support IPv6?
A: Yes, the VP5N30AN supports both IPv4 and IPv6 dual-stack, so it can be managed on either or both addressing schemes without additional translation hardware.
Q: What is the maximum power capacity of the VP5N30AN?
A: The VP5N30AN delivers up to 4.9 kW at 30A/208V single-phase. For safe continuous operation, plan loads at 80% of rated capacity — approximately 3.9 kW — in line with standard NEC branch circuit derate practice.
The VP5N30AN stands out in the switched PDU category specifically because of its protocol depth — SNMP v3 with LDAP/RADIUS/TACACS+ authentication isn't standard on every vertical PDU at this price tier, and it matters the moment you're managing more than a handful of racks. I spec this unit when the facility team requires rack-level power metering (current, voltage, and wattage all reported at the inlet) alongside IT's need for outlet-level cycling — you're getting both in a single 0U device.
Technical Highlights:
- 36 Locking Outlets (C13 + C19): The locking mechanism is genuinely useful in colocation and high-density IDF environments where cord counts are high and accidental pulls are a real maintenance event — not a theoretical one.
- NEMA L6-30P / 208V Input: Designed for the 208V single-phase circuits that are standard in most North American colo and enterprise data center environments. No step-down transformer or special ordering required in a properly provisioned rack bay.
- Modbus TCP + SNMP v3: Dual-protocol DCIM integration means this unit fits into both IT monitoring stacks (SNMP-based NMS) and OT/BMS environments (Modbus TCP to building management systems) without gateway hardware in between.
Deployment Considerations:
- At 4.9 kW rated, plan your continuous load at 80% (roughly 3.9 kW) per NEC 210.19 continuous load rules — the PDU won't enforce this electronically, so load planning is on the installer.
- The 3-meter input cord is fixed — if your rack circuit is farther than 3 meters from the PDU mounting position, you'll need a longer-whip circuit or a cord extension, which introduces an additional connection point and potential point of failure.
This is the right unit for a colocation customer or enterprise IT team managing mixed-density racks (servers + storage + networking) in a 208V environment where remote power cycling and DCIM-grade telemetry need to coexist on a single vertical PDU without consuming rack units.
