Rack Power Distribution Units, or rPDUs, are the last link in the power chain and ensure the delivery of critical power to IT loads. It is designed to distribute power amongst all types of IT equipment within the data center.
rPDUs do not generate power, but rather distributes power from the power source available to it. An rPDU is able to monitor, manage, and control power consumption to multiple devices in data center environments. It can distribute large amounts of electricity and is accessible over the local network or remotely.
Resilient to higher temperatures and able to accomodate higher power densities, rPDUs are built to meet the ever-changing needs of the data center. Some rPDUs are also easily upgradable and serviceable without the need to remove power from the connected devices to minimize downtime.
Why is a Rack PDU important?
As organizations grow, their data centers become increasingly more dynamic and complex. This can put high levels of pressure on data center managers to improve availability and boost efficiency whilst also reducing costs.
Next-generation high-density servers and networking equipment are often added to growing data centers for their improved levels of performance and capacity, but they will need to be provided with more effective power delivery to run to their full potential.
During situations like these rPDUs become increasingly more important as they are able to achieve efficient power distribution to respond to these needs.
Therefore, if you want to ensure all your equipment runs to its full potential, it’s worth investing in a good rPDU.
Selecting a Rack PDU
Before you begin your hunt for a rPDU, first ask yourself:
- What are your power requirements?
- How do you want to mount your rPDU (ie vertically or horizontally)?
- What level of power monitoring/management do you need?
Power requirements
Figuring out your power requirements is the most important step on your rPDU journey. Depending on the situation you are in you may have limited power available, or have control over how much power you want to be delivered. If you have the ability to decide the power available to the rack, you will need to estimate how much kW is needed for the equipment it will be deploying.
The power needed for this will provide you with the minimum power required for the equipment in the rack, helping you determine the rPDU power configuration you’ll need.
If dictating the power being delivered to the rack, you will then need to get an electrician to pull the necessary power to the rack that matches the rPDU.
Alternatively, if the available power is restricted, you will need to identify the receptacle type the rPDU will need to plug into. Depending on the amount of power available, the cabinet density could be limited or additional rPDUs will need to be deployed in the same cabinet to reach the power capacity required for the equipment.
Power configurations
There are a number of different rPDU power configuration options and your global region will affect what is available to you. Single-phase and three-phase options are available, as well as different amperages and voltages.
Single-phase power is more common in homes and small businesses but can be seen in data centers when distributed from a three-phase power source. Three-phase power is often used in high-density data centers as it is more efficient and supports higher densities.
Choosing what is best for you will depend on both the power available and the power needed by the connected equipment. rPDUs are available with different power (100V single-phase to 240/415V three-phase) and current ratings (10A to 120A) options.
Horizontal Mounts vs Vertical Mounts
Rack PDUs are versatile in their mounting abilities, giving you the options of horizontally and vertically, as well as inside or outside the rack enclosure.
Horizontally mounted rPDUs are installed inside the rack, typically take up 1U or 2U rack space, and have 8-16 outlets.
Alternatively, vertically mounted rPDUs are mounted on the back or the side of the rack enclosure to save space inside the rack. They can hold up to 54 outlets.
Understanding your data center space and IT equipment is an important step to take before choosing a mounting option. With this knowledge available whilst making your selection can help you save time, money, and space.
Types of Rack PDUs
rPDUs are classified into four categories – basic, metered, monitored, or switched. Whilst all rPDUs will provide you with reliable power distribution, more intelligent rPDUs can provide additional features like remote monitoring, energy management, or future-proof design platforms.
Basic Rack PDU
Basic rPDUs provide your critical IT equipment with reliable power distribution within a rack or a cabinet. They are an entry-level solution that can be acquired at a low cost.
Vertiv Geist Basic Rack rPDU
Benefits:
- Reliable power distribution to critical IT equipment
- Fast, inexpensive customization, including non-standard cord lengths
- Standard three-year warranty, upgradable to five years with product registration
Features:
- Available in vertical and horizontal rackmount form factors
- Flexibility to meet a broad range of requirements, with a variety of electrical and receptacle configurations available
- Simple and quick installation in all standard rack or cabinets with included mounting brackets
Buy Vertiv Geist Basic Rack PDU
Metered Rack PDU
Metered rPDUs allow you to view power consumption metrics instantly from a local display, ideal for when you’re deploying or moving equipment to monitor power usage and prevent overloads. These types of rPDUs are best suited for highly secure data center environments that must keep power infrastructure air-gapped from the local network.
Vertiv Geist Metered Rack rPDU
Benefits:
- Reliable power distribution to critical IT equipment
- Avoid accidental overloads when deployed or moving critical server equipment with instant access to power consumption metrics on the local digital display
- Save time and money by pre-integrating Vertiv Geist rPDUs with the VR Rack
- Standard three-year warranty
Features:
- Available in vertical and horizontal rackmount form factors
- The local LED display provides real-time power data for instant feedback
- Simple and convenient configuration options for cord lengths and chassis colours
- Flexibility to meet a broad range of requirements, with a variety of electrical and receptacle configurations available
- Simple and quick installation with included mounting brackets
Buy Vertiv Geist Metered Rack PDU
Monitored Rack PDU
Monitored Rack PDUs provide reliable power distribution to critical IT equipment whilst also providing both at-the-rack and remote access to a comprehensive view of power usage. These types of rPDUs are available in both unit-level and outlet-level remote monitoring configuration options. We recommend these types of rPDUs for high-density data centers that want to monitor or improve power usage effectiveness.
Vertiv Geist Monitored Rack rPDU
Benefits:
- Reliable Reliable power distribution with local and remote power monitoring options offer quick access to critical power usage information to evaluate energy usage trends and maximize uptime.
- Environmental monitoring capabilities ensure users have critical infrastructure data at their fingertips to prevent climate-related equipment failure and system downtime.
- Upgrade your hot-swappable monitoring device on the fly to leverage new technologies and accommodate changing business needs without having to replace entire power strips.
- Simplify circuit and phase balancing with color-coded receptacles.
- Monitor power consumption at the outlet-level for a detailed view of power distributed to specific equipment with the outlet-level option.
- Gather comprehensive power data at the palm of your hand with the use of the Vertiv VLC mobile app.
- Every unit is 100% tested for reliability and functionality to ensure units function as designed.
- Standard three-year warranty, upgraded to five years with product registration.
Features:
- Hot-Swappable and upgradeable monitoring device.
- Local and remote power monitoring with an accuracy of +/- 1% (ANSI & IEC Standards).
- VLC (Visible Light Communication).
- Environmental monitoring with the addition of optional sensors.
- High Temperature Grade 60°C for high temperature environments.
- Flexibility to meet a broad range of requirements, with a variety of electrical and receptacle configurations available.
- Simple and quick installation in all standard racks or cabinets with included mounting brackets.
Buy Vertiv Geist Monitored Rack PDU
Switched Rack PDU
Switched Rack PDUs are incredibly useful for data centers that need a quick and easy way to power cycle equipment in a large facility. These types of switches provide a comprehensive view of critical IT equipment power usage which can be accessed at the rack or remotely. They include the ability to remotely turn on, turn off, or reboot power at each outlet.
Vertiv Geist Switched Rack rPDU
Benefits:
- Outlet level control to turn on, turn off, or reboot individual outlets.
- Bi-Stable latching relays significantly reduce idle power draw.
- Upgradeable and Hot-Swappable monitoring device
- Local and remote power monitoring with accuracy of +/- 1% (ANSI & IEC Standards)
- VLC (Visible Light Communication)
- Environmental monitoring with the addition of optional sensors.
- High Temperature Grade 60 °C for high temperature environments.
- Color-coded U-Lock receptacles by the circuit for instant identification.
- Flexibility to meet a broad range of requirements, with a variety of electrical and receptacle configurations available.
- Simple and quick installation in all standard racks or cabinets with included mounting brackets.
Features:
- Avoid potential circuit overloads with remote current metering and monitoring of connected loads.
- Power sequencing time delays allow users to define the order in which to power up or down connected equipment to avoid circuit overload.
- Remotely reboot outlets to power cycle unresponsive IT equipment or increase the runtime of critical equipment upon power failure with outlet-level control.
- Reliable power distribution with local and remote power monitoring options offers quick access to critical power usage information to evaluate energy usage trends and maximize uptime.
- Environmental monitoring capabilities ensure users have critical infrastructure data at their fingertips.
- Upgrade your hot-swappable monitoring device on the fly to leverage new technologies and accommodate changing business needs without having to replace entire power strips.
- U-Lock receptacles secure power cords and avoid accidental disconnections.
- Simplify circuit and phase balancing with color-coded receptacles.
- Monitor power consumption at the outlet-level for a detailed view of power distributed to specific equipment with the outlet-level option.
- Gather comprehensive power data at the palm of your hand with the use of the Vertiv VLC mobile app.
- Standard three-year warranty, upgraded to five years with product registration.
Buy Vertiv Geist Switched Rack PDU
This is just a brief look at the Vertiv PDU Range, if you require more Vertiv equipment for your business, you can check our Vertiv microsite for a wide range of Vertiv products to suit your needs.
More Vertiv Products Available from Comms Express:
Vertiv Data Centre UPS | Vertiv Rack Cooling | Vertiv KVM & Console Drawer Solutions | Vertiv Server Cabinets | Vertiv PDUs | Vertiv UPS
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…
