Vertiv Rpdu Switched Unit Level Monitoring EC 30A 208V Delta 8.6KW Horizontal (24 - VP5N32A3

Vertiv VP5N32A3 Switched Rack PDU, 30A 208V 3-Phase 8.6kW Horizontal

Overview

The Vertiv VP5N32A3 is a horizontal, switched rack power distribution unit designed for high-density data center rows and server enclosures where remote outlet-level control matters as much as raw power delivery. Rated at 30A input on a NEMA L15-30P plug, operating at 208V delta on a three-phase feed, this unit delivers up to 8.6kW of managed power across 24 outlets — a capacity that suits fully populated 1U/2U server rows, network closets, and edge deployments where a single PDU needs to handle mixed IEC C13 and C19 load types simultaneously.

Unlike a basic metered PDU, the VP5N32A3 gives you per-outlet switching: individual outlets can be powered on, off, or power-cycled remotely via the network interface. That single capability changes the economics of remote site management — a locked-up edge rack with a hung server no longer requires a truck roll.

Key Features

• Switched Outlet-Level Control: Each of the 24 outlets can be toggled or cycled independently over the network. For co-location, branch offices, or unmanned edge sites, remote power cycling eliminates the need for on-site intervention when a device freezes — a direct reduction in operational costs per incident.
• 30A / 208V Delta, 8.6kW Capacity: The NEMA L15-30P input handles three-phase 200–240V at 50/60 Hz, delivering 8.6kW of usable capacity. That headroom supports fully loaded blade chassis or GPU compute nodes without nuisance tripping — size the circuit to 125% of the PDU's rated draw per NEC 210.19(A).
• 24 Mixed IEC Outlets (C13 + C19): A combination of C13 and C19 receptacles means you can mix standard 1U servers (C13) with high-draw storage controllers or network switches (C19) in the same unit without adapters. Verify the specific C13/C19 count split against your load list before finalizing rack layouts.
• Per-Outlet Current, Voltage, and Power Monitoring: Real-time monitoring of current, voltage, and power at the unit level gives ops teams the visibility to catch load imbalance and creeping overloads before a breaker trips. This data feeds directly into DCIM platforms via SNMP for automated alerting.
• Enterprise Protocol Stack — SNMP v1/v2c/v3, RADIUS, LDAP, TACACS+: The VP5N32A3 supports the full enterprise authentication and monitoring protocol set. SNMP v3 means encrypted OID polling without cleartext community strings. RADIUS and TACACS+ integration means PDU access ties into your existing AAA infrastructure — no separate credential management for power hardware.
• IPv4/IPv6 Dual-Stack with HTTPS/SSH: Management access over HTTPS and SSH with dual-stack IP support means the PDU integrates cleanly into modernized network segments. HTTP and HTTPS availability lets browser-based management work without a dedicated app, while SSH secures CLI access for scripted automation.
• Modbus TCP Support: Beyond SNMP, Modbus TCP enables integration with building management systems (BMS) and industrial SCADA platforms — useful in edge deployments that coexist with facility automation infrastructure.
• Single RJ-45 Ethernet + USB + Serial Port: The network interface, USB port, and DB9/RJ-45 serial port provide multiple management access paths. Serial console access is critical for out-of-band recovery when the network interface is misconfigured or unreachable.
• LED Display for Local Status: An integrated LED display provides local readout of key electrical parameters — essential during commissioning and for field technicians who need a quick sanity check without pulling up a browser or SNMP tool.
• 3-Meter Power Cord: The 3m (approximately 10 ft) input cord gives flexibility in where the PDU connects to the rack's overhead or under-floor power infrastructure, reducing the need for extension solutions in deeper or non-standard rack depths.
• Horizontal 0U Form Factor: Mounting horizontally in a standard EIA rack without consuming rack unit space, the VP5N32A3 preserves all vertical rack space for compute and networking gear. Confirm that your enclosure has horizontal cable management and PDU mounting provisions before ordering.

Integration and Compatibility

The VP5N32A3 supports NTP for synchronized event timestamping, SMTP for email alerting, and Syslog for integration with centralized log management platforms (SIEM, Splunk, Graylog). SNMP v1/v2c/v3 MIB support means this PDU can feed into virtually any DCIM platform — Vertiv's own Trellis, Nlyte, Sunbird, or open-source alternatives. The LDAP and RADIUS support enables single sign-on alignment with Active Directory or FreeRADIUS for multi-tenant environments. RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol) on the embedded switch port prevents network loops if the management port is cross-connected within a stacked management network. For facilities teams, Modbus TCP bridges this PDU into Johnson Controls, Siemens, or Schneider EcoStruxure BMS environments without protocol translation middleware.

Explore the full Vertiv power management lineup including additional rack PDU configurations, or browse the broader rack PDU category to compare switched versus monitored options. For PoE-dependent deployments in the same rack, review our managed network switch selection. If you're planning a full data center power architecture, the UPS systems category pairs directly with this PDU for upstream battery backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What input plug does the VP5N32A3 use, and what circuit do I need?

A: The VP5N32A3 uses a NEMA L15-30P plug, which is a 3-phase locking connector rated for 30A at 208V delta. You will need a dedicated 3-phase 30A circuit. Per NEC 210.19(A), the circuit should be rated at 125% of the PDU's continuous load — plan your panel accordingly before installation.

Q: Can I control individual outlets remotely on the VP5N32A3?

A: Yes. The VP5N32A3 is a switched PDU, meaning each of its 24 outlets can be individually powered on, powered off, or power-cycled remotely through the network management interface. This is the core differentiator versus a metered-only PDU and is the main reason to choose this unit for unmanned or remote sites.

Q: What network management protocols does the VP5N32A3 support?

A: The VP5N32A3 supports a broad protocol stack including SNMP v1/v2c/v3, HTTPS, SSH, HTTP, LDAP, RADIUS, TACACS+, NTP, SMTP, Syslog, Modbus TCP, DHCP, IPv4, IPv6, and RSTP. This covers standard data center DCIM integration, enterprise AAA authentication, and building management system connectivity.

Q: What is the difference between the C13 and C19 outlets on this PDU?

A: IEC C13 outlets are the standard receptacle for most 1U servers, switches, and lower-draw equipment (typically up to 15A). C19 outlets handle higher-draw devices such as high-density blade chassis, large storage arrays, or power-hungry network gear (up to 20A per outlet). The VP5N32A3 provides a mix of both types across its 24 total outlets, allowing mixed-load racks without adapters.

Q: Does the VP5N32A3 support IPv6?

A: Yes, the VP5N32A3 supports both IPv4 and IPv6, making it compatible with dual-stack and IPv6-only management network segments without requiring protocol translation or legacy addressing workarounds.

Q: What is the mounting orientation of the VP5N32A3?

A: The VP5N32A3 is designed for horizontal mounting in a standard EIA equipment rack. It is a 0U form factor device, meaning it mounts in the horizontal space of the rack frame itself (typically in a side channel or horizontal shelf) without consuming any numbered rack units — preserving all vertical space for servers and networking gear.

Ted Perry

The VP5N32A3 is one of those units I keep coming back to for dense edge deployments precisely because of the protocol depth behind the management interface — SNMP v3 with encrypted polling, TACACS+ for AAA integration, and Modbus TCP for BMS bridging all in a horizontal 0U package running a NEMA L15-30P feed. That combination is unusual at this price tier and form factor.

Technical Highlights:

• SNMP v3 + TACACS+ + RADIUS: Full enterprise AAA and encrypted SNMP in one unit means this PDU can be governed by your existing network access policies — no separate credential silo for power hardware, which matters at scale when auditing access logs.
• 30A / 208V 3-Phase Delta, 8.6kW: Three-phase input at L15-30P distributes load across phases rather than stacking it on a single leg — important in high-density racks where single-phase PDUs run into current limits long before hitting power limits.
• Modbus TCP alongside SNMP: Dual-protocol management (SNMP for IT, Modbus TCP for OT) is the right architecture for converged IT/facilities infrastructure. If your BMS and your DCIM tool both need to read this PDU, they can do so natively without a gateway device.

Deployment Considerations:

• The NEMA L15-30P plug requires a dedicated 3-phase 30A circuit — confirm your rack's PDU whip or overhead busway can source this before ordering. L15-30 is not the same as L21-30 or L6-30, and mismatched receptacle builds are a common field delay.
• The unit provides unit-level monitoring (current, voltage, power) rather than explicitly documented per-outlet metering — verify with Vertiv's current firmware release notes whether per-outlet power metering is available, as firmware features on switched PDUs sometimes exceed what the base spec sheet documents.

This unit is the right call for colocation cage builds, unmanned branch telco rooms, and edge compute deployments where remote power cycling is non-negotiable, the rack runs 208V 3-phase, and you need the PDU to participate in enterprise AAA and DCIM infrastructure rather than sit outside it.