With the rise in processing being done at every cabinet, strong attention must be paid to your power distribution strategy so that the highest levels of availability and efficiency are achieved with minimum management overhead.
Rack power distribution units (PDUs) represent the last leg of the power chain, a critical role in high-density deployments, providing real-time power monitoring, remote control, and enhanced security features that standard PDUs lack. Choosing the right intelligent PDU ensures you have the functionality needed to support scalable, energy-efficient, and reliable operations.
Understanding the benefits of each intelligent PDU feature will help guide your evaluation and purchase decisions.
Advanced Functionality Levels of Intelligent Power Distribution Units
Branch Circuit and Phase-Level Monitoring
Continual monitoring of these parameters along with the ability to set thresholds with notifications ensures that the connected loads always stay within capacities. Phase-level monitoring also ensures that the loads stay balanced for efficiency and optimum utilization.
Outlet-Level Metering
Provides information about energy consumption of individual IT equipment that ultimately enables charge back reports and higher accountability. In addition, it helps set baseline energy consumption for individual equipment, which can be useful when choosing new equipment to be added to the cabinets.
Outlet-Level Switching
Ensures proper provisioning by providing administrators the ability to control what equipment is powered from the PDU. As a best practice, all unused outlets should be maintained in the “off” position until an administrator allows the connection of new equipment. This capability also provides the ability to turn equipment on in sequence at the initial startup and for identifying underutilized equipment, or after a power outage to minimize high inrush currents. It also provides the ability to cycle power to hung IT equipment remotely.
Integrated Environmental Monitoring
Helps ensure businesses meet the growing compliance demands regulations around data access at the cabinet-level. An integrated Electronic Access Control solution negates the need to have a separate source of power and network for the electronic locks at the cabinet-level.
A Smarter Power Solution with CPI’s eConnect® PDUs
Chatsworth Products’ (CPI) eConnect® PDUs take power management to the next level. These intelligent PDUs provide detailed monitoring and control down to the outlet level, helping you maintain operational efficiency while reducing energy costs.
And with our Secure Array™ IP Consolidation, you can manage up to 32 PDUs under a single IP address, simplifying network management and cutting costs.
For even greater control, CPI’s Power IQ® for eConnect DCIM software delivers centralized power monitoring, analytics, and reporting through an intuitive web-based interface. Power IQ® provides real-time visibility into power consumption, environmental conditions, and efficiency metrics, allowing you to track trends, identify inefficiencies, and make data-driven decisions that optimize uptime and reduce operational expenses.
Need Assistance with Your Power Strategy?
Whether you require guidance on selecting the right PDU or need a comprehensive on-site assessment from one of our field engineers, CPI’s technical team is ready to help support your goals.
- Free Online Tools: Use resources like the eConnect Power Selector to simplify your decision-making process.
- On-Site Assessment: Contact us to schedule a visit with one of our field engineers, who can provide tailored recommendations based on your specific needs.
- Explore CPI’s intelligent PDUs today and find the perfect solution for your power distribution strategy.
