Power distribution has quickly become one of the most critical aspects of all data centers, server rooms, and network closets. Without a reliable and efficient power delivery system, your mission-critical IT equipment could face sudden shutdowns, data loss, and hardware damage. Fortunately, with a rack PDU, this doesn’t need to be a worry.
Rack PDUs, or rack-mounted power distribution units, are parts of modern server racks that provide reliable and centralized power to all of your equipment within the rack. This helps ensure optimal performance, efficiency, and uptime for all of your devices.
What is a Rack PDU?
A rack PDU is a device that provides electrical power to equipment within a server rack. They come in multiple types, including basic, metered, switched, and intelligent PDUs, all with different features and capabilities.
With an Eaton rack PDU you are able to monitor and control your power and safely distribute power. rack PDU can deliver the customization and protection capabilities you need within a rack.
With an Eaton rack PDU, you can:
- Switch power on and off
- Remotely shut down power during an emergency power outage
- Simply distribute power efficiently and safely.
Other non-mission-critical features might include:
- A variety of mounting options
- A rotating screen to suit all mounting directions
- IEC outlet eGrip plug retention: retains all standard IEC plugs
- Colour-coded outlet and branch circuits for simple load balancing
- Eaton Hydraulic–Magnetic Circuit Breakers with accidental trip protection
- Low-profile form factor
9 Benefits Of Eaton Rack PDUs:
1. Improves reliability.
Sometimes all it takes to ruin all of your downtime prevention measures is an accidental plug disconnect. To counter this, some Eaton PDUs have a plug retention feature that delivers maximum reliability without taking up any additional space.
2. Monitors energy.
No longer will you be left wondering where your energy is being used with energy monitoring features included in an Eaton rack PDU. Accurate metering simplifies load balancing for you and helps you to identify locations where you have spare power capacity.
3. Cut cooling costs.
Whilst traditionally rack PDUs have struggled to function in higher temperatures, new generation PDUs are able to work in conditions up to 140ºF. This means less cooling is required, and therefore money is saved on temperature control.
4. Simplify maintenance.
Older models of PDUs have traditionally made maintained operational continuity or installed hardware upgrades due to the lack of access to hot-swappable components. New models allow full access to rackmount equipment due to their low-profile design. Some are even color coded to make it easy to identify which circuit breaker controls which socket.
5. Take control over your power .
Have more control over your equipment than ever before with an Eaton rack PDU. A switched rack PDU allows for both on-site and remote management, allowing you to control the power, disconnect non-essential loads, restart servers, or even shut down servers, from anywhere in the world.
6. Simplify administration.
Save your time for more important things and keep power system administration processes to a minimum with a rack PDU. With mass configuration and updating, any changes needed can be quickly and efficiently implemented.
7. save money on network components .
The newest ranges of rack PDUs allow for daisy-chain network connectivity, meaning multiple PDUs can be connected using a single network port and IP address.
8. Get on-the-spot status information .
Through the integrated display on the PDU you can access key information. Being able to check on the power system operation in moments can help you quickly detect and rectify faults before they cause problems for your operation.
9. Convenience and flexibility.
Eaton rack PDUS are easy to install and offer flexible mounting positions to suit all environments.
About Eaton PDUs
Eaton dedicates itself to improving lives and the environment with power management solutions. They look to make power safe, efficient, and reliable.
Eaton PDUs come in a variety of styles:
Eaton ePDU Basic
The basic Eaton PDU models feature Eaton’s patented IEC outlet grip plug retention, color-coded outlet sections, and low-profile form factor, and are able to operate at high temperatures. They have been designed for reliable and cost-effective power distribution.
Features:
- IEC outlet eGrip plug retention: retains all standard IEC plugs
- Colour-coded outlet and branch circuits for simple load balancing
- Eaton Hydraulic–Magnetic Circuit Breakers with accidental trip protection
- Low-profile form factor: 52mm wide x 53mm deep x 704mm High
- 60 Degree C operating temperature
- Installation: Button mounting on rear & side + variable mounting system
Eaton ePDU Managed
Ensure complete control and metering of devices with an Eaton Managed PDU. They include IEC Class 1 billing grade accuracy, advanced hot-swap meter with LCD pixel display, and the ability to daisy chain up to 8 PDUS together. Combine the functionality of the switched and metered Outlets into one PDU!
Features:
- Securely allows remote control and remote rebooting
- Input and Phase Metering, Circuit Breaker Current Metering, circuit Breaker status monitoring
- Level 3 PUE measurements
- Highly secure with user access control, password protection and SSL configurable to 1024 or 2048 bit
- Colour-coded outlet and branch circuits for simple load balancing
- Eaton Hydraulic–Magnetic Circuit Breakers with accidental trip protection
Eaton ePDU Switched
Like the managed Eaton PDU, the Switched PDU also includes IEC Class 1 billing grade accuracy, an advanced hot-swap meter with LCD pixel display, and the ability to daisy chain 8 PDUs. With an Eaton switched rack PDU you can allow lights-out control of devices.
Features:
- Securely allows remote control and remote rebooting
- Highly secure with Admin controlling user access permission, password protection, and SSL configurable to 1024 or 2048 bit
- Sequence outlets to avoid in-rush current, to ensure equipment starts in correct order
- IEC outlet eGrip plug retention: retains all standard IEC plugs
- Eaton Hydraulic–Magnetic Circuit Breakers with accidental trip protection
- Graceful Equipment shut down via Intelligent Power Manager software
Eaton ePDU Metered Input
Allow metering to the branch and phase level with an Eaton Metered Input PDU for effective load balancing without switching.
Features:
- Allows phase branch level metering for load balancing
- IEC outlet eGrip plug retention: retains all standard IEC plugs
- Highly secure with user access control, password protection, and SSL configurable to 1024 or 2048 bit
- Eaton Hydraulic–Magnetic Circuit Breakers with accidental trip protection
- Optional Temp/Humidity sensor
- Intelligent Power Manager software
Eaton ePDU Metered Outlet
An Eaton Metered Outlet PDU allows for device-level metering over multiple power feeds. Clearly view and understand the consumption of individual devices and see what power you have available.
Features:
- Allows device level metering over A and B feeds (Requires Daisy Chained ePDUs)
- Highly secure with user access control, password protection and SSL configurable to 1024 or 2048 bit
- IEC outlet eGrip plug retention: retains all standard IEC plugs
- Eaton Hydraulic–Magnetic Circuit Breakers with accidental trip protection
- En masse configuration and update available via Intelligent Power Manager software
- Single Pane Monitoring via Intelligent Power Manager software
This is just a brief look at the Eaton Range, if you require more Eaton equipment for your business, you can check our Eaton microsite for a wide range of Netgear products to suit your needs.
More Eaton Products Available from Comms Express:
Eaton Ellipse ECO | Eaton Ellipse PRO | Eaton 3S Mini UPS | Eaton 5P | Eaton 5S | Eaton 5SC | Eaton 5PX Gen2 UPS | Eaton 9PX | Eaton 9SX | Eaton UPS Comms Cards | Eaton Warranty Services | Eaton UPS services | Eaton 3S Gen2 UPS | Eaton PDUs | Eaton Rack REC Series | Eaton Rack Accessories
If you require any further information on these or any other products that we stock here at Comms Express, please do not hesitate to contact our team who will be only too happy to help.
Until next time…
