Vertiv VRA2012 Vertical Exhaust Duct Tall 800W
Overview
The Vertiv VRA2012 is a tall vertical exhaust duct designed to channel hot air out of Vertiv rack enclosures, rated for up to 800W of heat load. It pairs directly with the VR3150 and VR3350 cabinet families, making it a purpose-built thermal management component rather than a generic aftermarket add-on. If your rack is approaching or exceeding 800W of dissipated heat, this is the tall variant — providing more duct height and airflow path than the short 800W equivalent (VRA2011). For lower-density deployments under 600W, Vertiv also offers the VRA2009 and VRA2010 in the same exhaust duct line.
Proper hot-aisle containment is one of the most overlooked factors in network and security equipment deployments. Without a vertical exhaust duct, hot exhaust from equipment mixes back into the cold aisle, raising inlet temperatures, stressing hardware, and shortening component life. The VRA2012 addresses this by directing exhaust airflow upward and out, keeping thermal boundaries clean.
Key Features
- 800W Heat Load Rating: Supports racks running up to 800W of dissipated heat — appropriate for moderately dense equipment loads. If your rack exceeds 800W, thermal modeling and supplemental cooling will be needed; this duct won't compensate for an undersized cooling architecture.
- Tall Form Factor: The tall variant provides a longer exhaust path compared to the short 800W model (VRA2011), which matters when ceiling plenum height or raised-floor geometry requires more vertical duct length to clear obstructions or reach the exhaust plenum properly.
- Black Finish: Ships in black to match standard Vertiv VR-series cabinet aesthetics — no mismatched hardware in customer-facing or audited spaces.
- Single-Unit Pack: Sold as one unit per pack (quantity: 1), so order counts map directly to cabinet counts — no splitting bulk packs across projects.
Compatibility
The VRA2012 is verified compatible with the Vertiv VR3150 and Vertiv VR3350 rack enclosures. These are 800mm-wide open-frame and enclosed cabinet models in the VR series. Do not assume compatibility with other Vertiv cabinet families (VR, VRX, or VRA-series alternatives) without checking Vertiv's current accessory compatibility matrix for your specific cabinet model and firmware/revision. Pairing with unsupported cabinets may result in improper fit, air bypass, or voided accessory warranty.
For a complete thermal management approach in the same data center infrastructure ecosystem, consider pairing the VRA2012 with blanking panels (VRA2000–VRA2003 series) to eliminate air recirculation through unused rack Us, and the VRA2007/VRA2008 top fan kits if your deployment requires active exhaust assistance. A UPS or PDU assessment alongside thermal planning is standard practice for any rack build exceeding 600W.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the VRA2012 and the VRA2011?
A: Both handle an 800W heat load, but the VRA2012 is the tall variant and the VRA2011 is the short variant. The tall form factor provides a longer vertical exhaust path, which is necessary when ceiling height or plenum geometry requires additional duct length.
Q: Which Vertiv rack enclosures is the VRA2012 compatible with?
A: The VRA2012 is confirmed compatible with the Vertiv VR3150 and VR3350 enclosures. Verify compatibility with other VR-series models directly against Vertiv's accessory compatibility documentation before ordering.
Q: Can the VRA2012 be used with non-Vertiv racks?
A: The VRA2012 is designed as a purpose-built accessory for Vertiv VR-series cabinets. Fit and function with third-party enclosures is not documented in available evidence — contact Vertiv or your integrator before attempting cross-brand installation.
Q: How many units come in a pack?
A: One unit per pack (quantity: 1 pc). Order one per cabinet requiring the exhaust duct.
Q: Is the VRA2012 sufficient for high-density deployments?
A: The 800W rating covers moderately dense equipment loads. Racks exceeding 800W will require additional or supplemental cooling solutions beyond what this duct alone can handle.
The VRA2012 does one job — it moves heat out of a Vertiv VR-series cabinet before it becomes a problem. The 800W rating is the number that matters here: if your rack's total dissipated heat load is at or below 800W, this tall duct gives you the vertical exhaust path to keep inlet temperatures in check without additional active cooling.
Technical Highlights:
- 800W Capacity: Sized for mid-density rack loads — adequate for a typical mixed security/networking deployment in a VR3150 or VR3350 cabinet running cameras, NVRs, switches, and a modest UPS draw.
- Tall vs. Short Variant: The tall form factor (versus the VRA2011 short) is the right call when your above-cabinet clearance to the exhaust plenum or ceiling is greater than the short duct can bridge — prevents air bypass at the duct-to-plenum interface.
- VR3150/VR3350 Fit: Purpose-built for these two enclosures specifically. The mechanical interface is designed to seat correctly without field modification — unlike generic aftermarket ducts that often require tape or foam to seal air gaps.
Deployment Considerations:
- Before specifying the VRA2012, sum your rack's total nameplate wattage and apply a realistic utilization factor (typically 60–70% for mixed loads). If that number exceeds 800W, this duct is undersized — look at supplemental cooling or higher-capacity containment solutions.
- The tall variant assumes adequate overhead clearance. In low-ceiling installations or tight above-rack spaces, the short variant (VRA2011, also 800W) may be the physically correct choice — verify ceiling-to-rack-top clearance before ordering.
The VRA2012 is the right spec for a VR3150 or VR3350 deployment in a standard data closet or equipment room where rack heat loads are in the 600–800W range and ceiling clearance supports the tall duct geometry — a common profile in mid-size enterprise security headend builds.
