overview of all PDU modules

Our PDUs consist of a number of fixed components assembled into a PDU in a certain number and sequence in accordance with the customer's requirements.

An overview of all the different components is given below.

 

CABLE AND SOCKET

The quality of Schleifenbauer products starts with the connecting cable. For this we select the maximum wire diameter, thus keeping the resistance as low as possible. Considering the wattage that is sometimes distributed by a PDU, this is no overkill. An extra thick conductor can save between 1 and 4 watt, depending on the length of the cable and the current. A data centre can easily have several thousands of PDUs, so that between 10 and 30 MWh can be saved in one year.

 

For 16A a 2.5 mm2 conductor is used and for 32A 6 mm2. The sockets we fit are selected for their mechanical quality and low resistance at high loads.

 

ALUMINIUM PROFILE

The aluminium profile designed by Schleifenbauer is extruded from high-quality aluminium. It is then anodised black to give it a protective layer. In a fully automated process, laser technology is used to make the holes in the profile where the components will be fitted afterwards. The profile consists of two parts which hinge together during assembly. This simplifies the assembly, leaving little room for error.

 

INPUT METERING MODULE

The input metering module is needed to meter the incoming phase or phases. The communication with the data bus and the other measuring and/or switching modules is also incorporated in the electronics. The power is metered with coils fitted over the phase conductors. Consequently a failure in the metering PCB cannot affect the PDU's power supply. The design of the module takes the power consumption of the electronics into account. This makes this module highly energy efficient. The LCD display automatically switches off after a certain period for the same reason.

 

OUTPUT METERING/SWITCHING MODULE

The module comes in 3 variants:

  • metering module
  • switching module
  • metering/switching module

The metering module is a PCA (printed circuit assembly) with 9 metering coils for metering 9 outlets. The 9 coils are spread over 3 groups of 3 relays, so that the metering module can also be used for 3-phase mains.

The switching module is a PCA with 9 bistable relays controlled via the internal data bus. The bistable relays do not consume any power if they are in one of the two bistable positions (on or off). Current is consumed only during switching. Owing to smart intelligence, the module switches off all relays when the mains power is interrupted.  Depending on the PDU settings, the relays are reset to their original position on restart.

The measuring/switching module is a combination of the two functions on the PCA.

 

OUTLETS

The PDU ends with the outlet. The minimum number of outlets is 1. The maximum number is limited by the length of the profile. Schleifenbauer PDUs with 48 outlets have been made, and in theory it is possible to fit even more outlets.

The maximum number of outlets that can be metered and/or switched within 1 PDU is 27 (3 modules).

 

PROTECTION

Protection in the PDU works in two directions.

1) The infrastructure can be protected against the consequences of overloading or short-circuits. Fuses or automatic circuit breakers are fitted in the PDU to this end. You can find more information about this subject elsewhere on the site.

2) The device can also be protected against the consequences of overvoltage. Overvoltages can result from switch-on pulses caused by other devices in the infrastructure. Overvoltage protection ensures that these peak voltages are dissipated and cannot damage the equipment.