Vertiv VRA2011 Vertical Exhaust Duct Short, 800W
Overview
The Vertiv VRA2011 is a short vertical exhaust duct designed to channel hot exhaust air out of the top of Vertiv VR-series open-frame and enclosed racks. If your data closet or server room runs a hot-aisle/cold-aisle containment strategy — or you're managing heat loads up to 800W in a single rack — this duct is the purpose-built solution for directing airflow vertically rather than letting it recirculate into adjacent equipment. It ships as a single unit (1 pc per pack) in black, matching the Vertiv VR rack aesthetic.
The 800W maximum input power rating on the VRA2011 distinguishes it from the 600W short duct variant (VRA2009). If your rack load sits between 600W and 800W, this is the correct model — installing the lower-rated duct risks airflow inefficiency and potential thermal stress on equipment. For taller rack configurations that also require a vertical exhaust path, Vertiv offers a tall variant (VRA2012) rated to the same 800W.
Key Features
- 800W Heat Load Capacity: Handles racks drawing up to 800W — covers most single-rack deployments running edge compute, network gear, or moderate server loads without needing the taller duct profile.
- Short Profile Design: The compact vertical form factor suits installations where ceiling clearance is limited or where overhead cable management already occupies space above the rack.
- Purpose-Built Fit for Vertiv VR Racks: Engineered specifically for the VR3150, VR3350, VR3157, and VR3357 rack families — no drilling, no adapter brackets, no improvised mounting.
- Black Finish: Matches the Vertiv VR rack color profile, which matters in customer-facing data rooms or colocation environments where visual consistency is part of the design brief.
- Single-Unit Pack: Ships as one unit per pack — straightforward for single-rack deployments or when adding duct management to an existing rack incrementally.
Integration & Compatibility
The VRA2011 is verified compatible with four Vertiv VR-series racks: Vertiv VR3150, VR3350, VR3157, and VR3357. Before ordering, confirm your rack model number against this list — Vertiv's VR line spans multiple widths and depths, and duct fit is not universal across the full family. For data center rack accessories including blanking panels, brush strips, and fan kits, the broader VRA20xx family covers most airflow management needs for these same racks.
If you're building out a complete airflow containment strategy, pair this exhaust duct with the VRA2004 Air Recirculation Prevention Kit and VRA2005 rail brush strips to close the remaining gaps where hot and cold air can mix. A well-sealed rack with a properly rated exhaust duct reduces CRAC unit load — meaningful in any rack enclosure environment where cooling costs or capacity are a constraint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the VRA2011 and the VRA2009?
A: Both are short vertical exhaust ducts, but the VRA2011 supports rack heat loads up to 800W while the VRA2009 is rated to 600W. Choose the VRA2011 if your rack draw exceeds 600W.
Q: What racks is the VRA2011 compatible with?
A: The VRA2011 is compatible with Vertiv VR3150, VR3350, VR3157, and VR3357 racks. Verify your rack model number before ordering — fit is not guaranteed across all Vertiv rack families.
Q: Is there a taller version of this duct for the same 800W load?
A: Yes. The VRA2012 is the tall vertical exhaust duct rated to 800W, for installations where a taller duct profile is needed due to rack height or ceiling clearance.
Q: How many units come in one pack?
A: One unit per pack (1 pc).
Q: Can the VRA2011 be used with Vertiv racks not on the compatibility list?
A: Vertiv's published compatibility covers VR3150, VR3350, VR3157, and VR3357 only. Using it with other rack models is not verified — contact Vertiv or a pre-sales engineer to confirm fit before purchasing for an unlisted model.
The spec that matters most on the VRA2011 is the 800W maximum input power rating — it's what separates this duct from the otherwise identical-looking VRA2009. I've seen installs where the 600W duct was ordered because it was cheaper, only to have recirculation issues once the rack was fully populated. Get the rating right at the spec stage and you won't be pulling the duct back out after commissioning.
Technical Highlights:
- 800W Thermal Capacity: Rated 200W higher than the short 600W variant (VRA2009), giving headroom for fully populated racks running network switches, edge servers, or moderate compute loads without risking airflow inefficiency.
- Short Duct Profile: Where ceiling clearance is constrained — drop ceilings, overhead cable trays, or low-headroom closets — the short form factor fits where the tall 800W variant (VRA2012) cannot.
- Verified Four-Model Compatibility: Fits VR3150, VR3350, VR3157, and VR3357 — Vertiv's own published list. If your rack isn't on it, don't assume fit; the mounting interface varies across the broader VR line.
Deployment Considerations:
- Pair the VRA2011 with the VRA2004 Air Recirculation Prevention Kit and VRA2005 brush strips to close remaining airflow gaps — the exhaust duct alone doesn't seal the full rack perimeter.
- If your rack load is forecast to grow past 800W, you're at the ceiling of what this duct handles; plan around that constraint during initial design rather than after equipment is installed.
The VRA2011 is the right call for a single-rack edge or IDF closet deployment where the load is in the 600–800W band and ceiling clearance rules out the tall duct variant — a common constraint in retrofit installations inside existing building infrastructure.
