A power distribution unit (PDU) is a form of equipment that is used to manage the allocation and distribution of power to multiple recipients. Rackmount or cabinet PDUs control and distribute power to servers and other equipment in the rack in the data center. Using this type of device helps to ensure that all essential equipment receives a sufficient supply of power even if the main power source is temporarily not available.
Server Technology (News - Alert), a provider of quality rackmount power distribution and monitoring solutions that help manage power capacity, reduce downtime and improve energy efficiency, offers a variety of PDU products. In the second of a series that explores the PDUs Server Technology offers, we’ll take a look at its metered PDUs.
“Metered PDUs have a very visible LED meter on the PDU that shows the power load,” explained Julie Brown, marketing manager at Server Technology. “A metered PDU can answer these questions: Do you know if you can plug additional equipment into a circuit? Are you paying for more circuits than you need?”
Because it has the local LED input current monitoring, the metered PDUs allow network engineers to utilize the PDUs True RMS Power Monitor to precisely measure the current (in amps) that network devices are drawing on the power circuit. As new servers and devices are added to the power drop, users can immediately observe its impact on the cumulative current draw. This allows the engineer to safely load each circuit to its maximum allowable load capacity without the danger of overloading the power circuit.
Metered rack PDUs help users reduce circuit overloads, maximize circuit usage and manage growth capacity by indicating the aggregate load on the circuit or phase. Metered power distribution units include an LED metered display that provides the true RMS input amperage load for the unit’s power infeed.
The one big difference between the basic and metered PDUs Server Technology offers is the LED meter that provides the meter providing actual power load information.
Other benefits of metered PDUs include:
- Branch Circuit Protection: Server Tech metered PDUs meet the UL 60950-1 requirement for branch circuit protection, by providing overcurrent protection with UL-listed Bussman SC fuses for each branch circuit
- Input Current Monitoring: The CDU’s exclusive True RMS current monitoring is critical to preventing overloads in high-density computing environments. LED digital displays on the CDU enclosure report the input current of each phase or branch circuit.
- Mounting: All PDUs are also compatible with button and “keyhole” style mounting for cabinets. Several cabinet manufacturers are now using this method for installing power distribution units in the cabinet.
To learn more about ServerTech, visit www.servertech.com and stay tuned to the data center power channel for the next in the PDU series.
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Edited by Rich Steeves