APC by Schneider Electric is announcing the “next generation” of metered and switched rack PDUs. The company is making the announcement literally since that’s the product line’s actually name: Next Generation Metered and Switched Rack PDUs.
The new Rack PDUs from APC are designed to address rack-level power needs while incorporating such intelligent features as power measurement and environmental monitoring. In addition, the zero-U form factor enables IT pros to save on space.
Dave Guidette is senior vice president of enterprise systems, services and software at APC. He says the energy-tracking features of the Next Generation line will be a “productive asset” to channel pros.
“More data center managers … need the tools to be able to help maximize the resources at hand,” Guidette says. “APC’s Next Generation Rack PDUs are one of the tools that can help with energy management across the data center through real-time monitoring.”
The new platform of Rack PDUs consists of 19 new models in the company’s Metered and Switched product families, its Metered AP8800 series and its Switched AP8900 series.
According to APC, the AP8800 Metered Rack PDU series provides remote monitoring of connected loads with user-defined alarms to warn of potential circuit. The AP8900 Switched Rack PDU series, for example, provides advanced load monitoring combined with remote on/off switching control of individual outlets for power cycling, delayed power sequencing, and outlet use management.
All Next Generation Rack PDUs include active power metering and remote alarming with volts, amps, real power (kW), and energy (kWh) measurements.
Other features of the PDUs include:
- Network management abilities to access and configure the Rack PDU settings via web, SNMP and telnet
- Integrated user-interactive LCD display interface for connectivity and load-balancing guidance and monitoring
- Power cycle outlets and the ability to define groups of outlets by user on one or more Rack PDUs
- Security features, such as remote individual outlet control
- Low-profile, hydraulic-magnetic breakers for space-saving over-current protection
- Locking IEC receptacles and locking IEC jumper cords that “eliminate the need for bulky cable management brackets,” according to APC.
