Answers to your rack PDU questions

1. What does PDU stand for?

PDU stands for Power Distribution Unit. This device distributes electrical power to multiple devices in a rack or other installations.

2. What is a PDU?

A PDU is a professional power distribution device specifically designed for use in data centers and server rooms. It distributes power efficiently and often includes additional features such as power monitoring and switching capabilities.

3. Why use a PDU?

PDUs provide a safe, efficient, and organized way to distribute power in a server rack. They help manage energy consumption, optimize space, and offer features such as monitoring and switching.

4. What is the difference between a power strip and a PDU?

A power strip is simply an extension lead with multiple sockets, while a PDU is designed for professional use in racks, offering options for monitoring, switching, and other advanced features.

5. What’s inside a PDU?

A PDU typically contains:

• An inlet (for power input)
• A series of outlets (for power output)
• Depending on the type, internal components for monitoring, switching, or surge protection.

6. What is a PDU inlet?

The PDU inlet is the connection point where power enters the PDU. This can be a fixed power cable or an inlet connector, such as a C14 or C20 connector.

7. What types of PDUs are there?

There are several types of PDUs, including:

• Basic: No monitoring
• Basic Plus: Upgradeable to monitoring
• Metered: Monitoring per phase and circuit breaker
• Monitored: Monitoring per phase, circuit breaker, and outlet
• Switched: Monitoring with switching capabilities per outlet
• Managed: Full monitoring and switching per outlet
• Inline Meter: Monitoring for existing PDUs

8. What does a metered PDU mean?

A metered PDU provides power monitoring at the level of phases and circuit breakers, helping manage energy consumption.

9. How does an intelligent PDU work?

An intelligent PDU (such as a Managed or Monitored PDU) has sensors and communication modules that enable real-time monitoring and management. Users can remotely check and control data such as power consumption, voltage, and current.

10. Do PDUs have circuit breakers?

Yes, many PDUs come with circuit breakers to protect connected equipment from overload.

11. What’s the difference between a UPS and a PDU?

• UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): Provides emergency power and protects against voltage spikes and power outages.
• PDU: Distributes power efficiently to multiple devices in a rack.

12. Do PDUs have surge protection?

Some PDUs offer surge protection, but this is not standard on every PDU. Be sure to check the device’s specifications.

13. How many PDUs do I need in a rack?

This depends on the power consumption of the equipment and the configuration of the rack. Typically, one or two PDUs are sufficient for standard racks.

14. Where should I mount the PDU in the rack?

PDUs are typically mounted on the side or rear of a rack. This optimizes accessibility and saves space.

15. What does a rack PDU do?

A rack PDU distributes power to the equipment within a server rack. Depending on the type, it may also provide monitoring, switching, and remote management.

16. What is a floor PDU?

A floor PDU is a larger power distribution unit used to distribute power across multiple racks or zones within a data center.

17. What is the voltage of a PDU?

The voltage varies depending on the PDU type and region. In Europe, the standard voltage is 230V, but there are also PDUs for 400V or other voltages.

18. Which PDU do I need?

The choice depends on your needs:

• Basic: No monitoring. This type of PDU is ideal for simple applications where only power distribution is required, without the need for monitoring or additional features. It is suitable for small offices, non-critical IT systems, or equipment with predictable power consumption.
• Basic Plus: Upgradeable to energy monitoring. This PDU is suitable for situations where you don’t currently need monitoring but want the flexibility to add it later. It is useful in growing IT environments where future energy management may play a role.
• Metered: Energy monitoring per phase and circuit breaker. This PDU is necessary in environments where insight into total energy consumption is essential, such as medium-sized data centres or server rooms. It helps with capacity management and identifying peak loads.
• Monitored: Energy monitoring per phase, circuit breaker, and outlet. This type of PDU is suitable for data centres and IT environments where detailed insights into energy consumption per device are required. It is useful for detailed reporting, cost management, and energy-saving initiatives.
• Switched: Energy monitoring per phase and remote switching per outlet. This PDU is ideal for situations where you want to be able to restart or switch off equipment remotely. It is suitable for businesses with multiple locations or data centres where physical access is limited.
• Managed: Full energy monitoring and remote switching per outlet. This type of PDU is essential in high-performance data centres and critical IT environments. It provides maximum control over energy consumption and device management, improving operational efficiency and uptime.
• Inline Meter: Energy monitoring for existing PDUs without monitoring. This is an excellent option if you already have existing PDUs without energy monitoring but need insight into power usage. It is suitable for upgrading older racks or equipment with basic PDUs without replacing them entirely.

19. Is a PDU necessary?

Yes, especially in professional environments like data centers, where efficiency, safety, and monitoring are essential.

20. Who manufactures PDUs?

Many manufacturers produce PDUs, including us at Schleifenbauer. We offer customized PDU solutions tailored to the needs of our customers.