A Power Distribution Unit (PDU) is the powerhouse of your electric system. Basic power distribution is the fundamental process of delivering electricity from the primary power source, such as a utility or generator, to IT equipment, ensuring a reliable flow of electricity to critical devices. Complete with AC/DC power and a simple control interface, the PDU constitutes the centralized system input. These units are crucial for monitoring the electrical energy that powers your company’s devices. As industries expand their technology and power needs, PDUs have become essential management tools.
At Astrodyne TDI, we design custom PDUs for your industrial needs. PDUs are specialized devices designed to handle high voltage and current, offering safety features like circuit breakers and advanced monitoring capabilities. PDUs are designed to distribute power from the incoming power source to multiple outputs or outlets, supporting the capacity needs of modern data centers. They can be integrated with other power infrastructure components, such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and generators, to ensure continuous power delivery and redundancy. The right PDU selection depends on understanding power requirements, capacity, and setup, and power input to a PDU can support high-amperage single-phase or three-phase power. You can be confident in your electrical energy output with our versatile, reliable power management systems. As your business adapts to new technological solutions, we have the tools to drive you forward. You can depend on Astrodyne TDI PDUs to control load division and sharing, voltage matching, frequency management and synchronization.
PDUs can be installed in various forms, such as rack-mounted, floor-standing, or portable units, and they are mounted or integrated within data center racks to optimize space and functionality.
There are two main categories of PDUs: Basic PDUs, which simply provide a means of distributing power from the input to multiple outlets, and intelligent PDUs, which offer remote management, monitoring, and control at the outlet level. Switched PDUs allow for remote control of individual outlets and provide advanced monitoring features. Metered PDUs allow data center managers to view power consumption metrics instantly from a local display. High-density PDUs are built for data centers with high-performance computing workloads, and for such environments, switched intelligent PDUs are recommended to handle complex power demands and minimize downtime costs. Racks containing mission-critical data center components are often equipped with more than one PDU, each connected to a separate power source for redundancy. The market for PDUs is expected to reach $7.9 billion by 2030, driven by the growth of cloud computing and data centers. PDUs are used in environments where ordinary power strips and surge protectors cannot meet electrical power requirements safely and reliably.
Many industries need power management tools to monitor system elements. Because each company has different technological needs, the PDU’s system capabilities and connections will vary. Proper setup and installation of PDUs is crucial, as they can be portable, mounted on the data center floor, or installed directly on a data center rack. At Astrodyne TDI, we offer 100% unique power distribution units engineered for use in the medical field, industrial markets and semiconductor equipment.
We understand that many applications rely on having significant amounts of power available. Our PDUs make it easy to downstream electrical energy in a safe and secure network. Integration of PDUs with other power management and monitoring systems is essential to optimize efficiency and scalability. When you choose Astrodyne TDI, you have access to power supplies that meet all applicable regulations in your industry.
Cable management and physical installations are common challenges when deploying PDUs in various industry environments.
PDUs have four major responsibilities — power conditioning, conversion, distribution and protection — each with an essential function within the power management system. Though every power distribution unit is unique, it relies on some standard components to keep it running. Our PDU components include:
Remote control connections: Operators have remote access to the entire power system.
EMI filters: EMI filters prevent excess electromagnetic noise from entering the power line.
Control board: Users can reconfigure the unit and view the metering parameters.
Auxiliary output: Monitor the breaker status and connections with auxiliary output.
Main output: This component is the primary power distributor to your devices.
AC inlet and outlet: Host additional power with detachable AC line cords and access.
Individual outlets and outlet level monitoring: Intelligent PDUs provide multiple outputs and allow remote monitoring and control of individual outlets. This enables administrators to monitor power consumption and manage devices at the outlet level, improving energy management and troubleshooting.
GFI module: Ground-fault interrupters prevent harmful consequences from arising due to electrical accidents.
Relays: Relays allow users to switch and monitor the power provided across several devices.
Main circuit breaker: Manage the PDU power source through the main circuit breaker.
PDUs often have multiple outputs to distribute power to several devices, and other features may include environmental sensors for monitoring heat and moisture.
Many intelligent PDUs can be controlled remotely, allowing administrators to turn off devices that are not in use and share monitoring data with the organization's DCIM system.
From the lithium-ion battery backup to the AC/DC power conversions, PDUs are your one-stop energy source.
When selecting the right Power Distribution Unit (PDU) for your data center or other electrically demanding applications, careful attention to outlet and cord considerations is essential for efficient and safe power distribution. PDUs play a critical role in distributing power from a utility power source to multiple devices, ensuring that each piece of IT equipment receives the necessary AC power to operate reliably.
In data center environments, PDUs deliver AC power to a wide range of connected devices, including servers, networking equipment, and storage systems. The ability to distribute network power efficiently depends on choosing a PDU with the appropriate number and type of outlets, as well as cords that match the power needs and layout of your rack space. Basic PDUs offer unfiltered electrical pass-through for straightforward power delivery, while intelligent PDUs provide advanced features such as remote outlet control, monitoring, load balancing, and remote management to optimize power usage and consumption.
The specific outlet types and output voltage ratings must align with the requirements of your connected devices. For example, many data centers rely on PDUs with multiple outlets to support a variety of IT equipment, each with different power consumption profiles. Ensuring that the PDU can handle the total power load is crucial for maintaining uptime and preventing overloads. Additionally, the length and type of power cord should be selected to reach all devices within the rack, supporting flexible cable management and efficient use of rack space.
Surge protection is another important feature to consider, as it safeguards sensitive equipment from unexpected power surges. For organizations that require enhanced control and monitoring, intelligent PDUs with remote access capabilities allow for real-time management of power delivery, helping to balance loads and improve overall efficiency.
Small businesses and other electrically demanding applications may find that basic PDUs meet their needs, while larger data centers often benefit from advanced distribution units with features like remote management, load balancing, and multiple mounting options for easy installation and maintenance.
At Astrodyne TDI, PDUs don’t come in a one-size-fits-all format. Our custom PDUs can be designed to meet specific capacity requirements for different applications, ensuring optimal load management and efficient power distribution. Our custom PDUs add tremendous value to your energy management system and give your engineers more time to develop new technology. Focus on the work that matters to your business — we’ll provide the energy to move you forward. Companies choose our PDUs for the following reasons:
Safety implementation: Streamline your safety features with a system built to comply with standard regulations.
Remote communication: PDUs allow engineers to perform remote fixes and save time on system issues.
Reduced carbon footprint: With a centralized system, you can increase energy efficiency and feel better about your environmental impact.
Output monitor control: Power control reduces your system’s cost and eliminates any redundancy for large operations.
Cost is also a factor when considering PDUs for data centers, and security is an increasing concern for intelligent PDUs. Organizations might need to invest in middleware or purchase customized PDUs to enable seamless integration with their existing systems.
The possibilities of what a PDU can do for your company are endless. With Astrodyne TDI, you can optimize your power system and feel confident in your daily operations. Simplify and innovate with our uniquely versatile power distribution units in your server room.
Request a quote today or contact us to learn more about how a PDU can improve your operations!