As data centers grow in complexity, volume and overall compute capacity, it’s become more critical to address how equipment receives and utilizes power. Rather than live with the label “energy hog,” data centers are seeking new ways to make the most of power usage while keeping costs down, such as intelligent power distribution units.
According to IMS Research, the market for intelligent power distribution units (PDUs) is forecast to grow at an annual average rate of 18.3 percent over the next five years, nearly twice as fast as the market for non-intelligent PDUs over that same time span.
Addressing this concern and revolutionizing power management in the process comes CPI’s eConnect™ Power Distribution Units (PDUs).
Available in five models with numerous outlet and plug configurations, eConnect PDUs provide a broad range of functionality while offering a low profile design that reduces airflow disruptions, an ambient air temperature rating of 149°F (65°C) and more than 160 standard configurations. Additionally, all eConnect PDUs are UL Listed in the US and Canada and CE marked for use in the European Union.
Today, we’ll explore three of the five models now available: Basic, Monitored and Monitored Pro.
Choose Basic when no local or remote power monitoring is required. Basic eConnect provides ideal power distribution in high density applications. Additionally, universal tool-less mounting hardware allows the PDU to attach to the mounting brackets in most IT cabinets.
Choose Monitored when you need to measure power use for each rack or cabinet. Monitored eConnect provides continuous, automated voltage, current, power and power factor monitoring for each breaker on the PDU with ±1% metering accuracy for power measurements. An easy to read central display provides detailed information about power usage, while each PDU has an Ethernet connection and external connection for two environmental probes. Also access the PDU remotely using a web browser for detailed measurements and to set upper and lower threshold alarms for power, temperature and humidity.
Choose Monitored Pro when you need to know how much power each piece of equipment is using. Monitored Pro eConnect provides continuous, automated remote voltage, current, and power (kW) monitoring for each outlet on the PDU with ±1% metering accuracy for power measurements. You can also use the built-in web interface to group outlets and see combined current use for multiple outlets - an excellent way to measure power use by different types of equipment attached to the PDU.
Furthermore, the new eConnect PDUs can also ship with CPI Cabinet Enclosures (reducing installation time), be customized to meet your specific project needs, and easily configured in CPI's Product Configurator.
Stay tuned next week for our coverage on the two most advanced eConnect PDUs, Switched and Switched Pro, and in the meantime, visit the eConnect PDU webpage for more details or contact CPI at 800-834-4969 or via email for immediate support. Jeff Cihocki, Global eContent Specialist