Today’s requirements for continuous uptime, coupled with an ever-increasing emphasis on energy efficiency, have catapulted power distribution units (PDUs) into the spotlight. A vital part of a comprehensive power management solution, modern PDUs not only deliver electricity to a broad range of IT equipment, but also afford a number of unique advantages. From the ability to help you understand your energy consumption to facilitating improved power quality, PDUs are essential for managing electrical power in a variety of environments and applications.
What Is a Power Distribution Unit?
It is not unusual to inadvertently interchange terms when discussing a power distribution unit vs a power strip. However, while their appearance is similar, the two devices provide different functionalities. A power strip allows you to plug multiple electrical devices into a single outlet, providing convenience and helping to manage multiple devices in one location. So, what does a power distribution unit do? A PDU ensures that power is safely and efficiently distributed to multiple devices while protecting equipment and enabling effective management of power usage.
Other benefits of power distribution units include monitoring and metering capabilities, managing individual outlets, accessing real-time information about equipment and enhancing control over power. Even more, many advanced PDUs include intuitive web interfaces that be accessed remotely, enabling users to receive immediate notification about alarms and issues in real-time so problems can be detected and resolved in a timely manner. Furthermore, the ability to remotely toggle individual outlets on a PDU makes it possible to turn off non-essential devices and maximize UPS runtime during a power outage ― then remotely restart that equipment when utility power has been restored. Advanced power distribution units also allow network connectivity to be daisy-chained, so a single port and one IP address can be used for multiple PDUs.
How Does a Power Distribution Unit Work?
Essentially transforming a single power input into multiple power outputs, a power distribution unit receives electrical power from a primary source such as the utility supply, an uninterruptible power system (UPS) or a backup generator, with power entering through a main input connector. Then the PDU distributes the power to its various outlets or receptacles.
PDUs are designed with multiple outlets to support devices such as servers, network equipment and other critical infrastructure. In addition, power distribution unit components typically include a main input circuit breaker, an isolation output transformer, a monitoring/operation control panel, an integrated communication server and a sub-feed breaker system. Available in different form factors ― such as rack-mounted, wall-mounted and standalone units ― many PDUs incorporate protective features such as circuit breakers or fuses, which help prevent overloads, protect sensitive equipment from electrical faults, and enhance system safety and reliability. In addition, some models include voltage regulation and filtering to reduce noise and fluctuations in the power supply.
Depending on the model, power distribution units may perform a variety of different capabilities, including power monitoring, power control (through features like switches and breakers), power conditioning (through filters and increased surge capability) and power switching (using remote ethernet signals, breakers and automated switching between power sources).
Power Distribution Unit Types
Power distribution units (PDUs) are available in AC and DC models to match the power requirements of different applications and sites. An AC PDU is typically powered by AC and distributes power with an alternating current, while DC PDUs may be powered by AC or DC power, depending on a facility’s requirements.
Power distribution units also differ in form factor and deployment method. For instance, a rack PDU is designed to be mounted in a standard server rack and can usually manage and distribute large amounts of electricity. PDUs can be mounted vertically in the back of a rack to free up space or horizontally, in which case they typically occupy 1U or 2U of rack space.
Other models can be wall-mounted or attached to the side of an equipment rack, preserving valuable physical rack space in cramped racks. However, these models increase the distance between the PDU’s power outputs and the inputs of the connected devices.
Intelligent power distribution units are an important part of an integrated monitoring system that protects mission-critical equipment. An efficient unit will allow you to monitor and control the power at your individual outlets, switch power on or off, remotely shut down the power during an emergency power outage, and also allocate power efficiently.
There are many different power distribution unit types, the most common being:
- Basic PDU ― Delivers unfiltered AC power to various connected devices.
- Metered PDU ― Provides network-grade power, optimizes load levels and regulates load in amps to avoid overloads.
- Monitored PDU ― Delivers network-grade power and features a digital meter display to support local management and remote monitoring via an SNMP network interface.
- Switched PDU ― Provides network-grade power and enables users to control outlets, either individually or collectively. Switched PDUs facilitate monitoring and control of critical factors such as voltage, current and power factor, with information provided at the outlet receptacle level. This PDU type may also afford remote monitoring.
- Switched Metered-by-Outlet PDU ― Integrates network-grade power distribution with a detailed level of remote and local outlet-level control and monitoring.
Applications for Power Distribution Units
PDUs are essential for managing and distributing electrical power in a wide variety of settings. Multiple applications rely on power distribution units to improve power management, increase reliability and better monitor power usage, including:
- Data Centers ― Ideal for distributing power to servers, networking equipment and other critical infrastructure, PDUs help manage power loads, enable redundancy and avoid overload conditions in data centers. Traditional data center designs often consist of multiple PDUs delivering power to remote power panels (RPPs) throughout the building. These RPPs, in turn, deliver power to network hardware racks via power cabling routed underneath a raised floor.
- IT and Server Rooms ― These spaces rely on PDUs to provide power to multiple devices and ensure that power distribution is organized and protected against failures.
- Telecommunications ― In telecom facilities, power distribution units are tasked with distributing power to network equipment, promoting continuous uptime and enhancing reliability.
- Industrial Facilities ― PDUs are ideal for supplying power to industrial machinery, contributing to safe and efficient power distribution.
- Commercial Buildings ― In large office buildings, PDUs help manage power distribution for various systems, including lighting, HVAC and office equipment.
- Healthcare Settings ― Hospitals and medical centers rely on PDUs to ensure that critical medical equipment receives clean, consistent, uninterrupted power.
- Retail ― Power distribution units are ideal to help manage power for point-of-sale systems, digital signage, and other electronic devices in stores.
- Education Environments ― From K-12 schools to colleges and universities, PDUs are integral to helping power computer labs and other technology-heavy areas.
Request a PDU Quote From Unified Power
Regardless of your industry or specific power needs, the experienced team of technicians at Unified Power is here to help. We specialize in delivering industry-leading solutions and mission-critical power services designed to keep your facility protected at all times.
We are proud to offer a range of power distribution unit brands to meet the needs of varied applications. Browse our offering here. If you have any questions about choosing the best power distribution unit for your particular needs or are interested in receiving a quote, we invite you to reach out today. And if you already have PDUs deployed in your facility, we are capable of servicing any manufacturer’s equipment, eliminating the hassle of dealing with different service providers or OEMs. From repair to preventive maintenance services to equipment replacement, Unified Power has you covered.
