Understanding PDU form factors and mounting options
Power Distribution Units (PDUs) are an important part of any data center or IT infrastructure. Since it provides reliable power distribution to multiple devices hence, choosing the right PDU form factor and mounting option as per requirement is essential for maximizing – efficiency and space utilization; making the process of power management seamless.
Choosing the right PDU form for enhanced experience
The form factor of a PDU refers to its physical size and design. Depending upon the space, each data center chooses its PDU form. In this regard, rack-mount PDUs are the most common type of PDU used in data centers. They are designed in such a way as to fit within standard IT racks enclosures. They can be either mounted horizontally or vertically depending on the available space and configuration.
Horizontal rack-mount PDUs are typically mounted in the 1U or 2U space of a standard 19-inch rack. They are ideal for small data centers or server rooms due to their assured efficiency. Vertical rack-mount PDUs on the other hand can be installed along the side or back of the rack enclosure. This type of mounting maximizes the rack space while offering proper ventilation.
Floor-mount PDUs also gained popularity due to its capacity for supplying high power to large equipment and servers along with catering to multiple power connections. In fact, single-phase power is ideal for lower power needs, while three-phase power supports high-capacity equipment. Hence, in PDUs, single-phase is best for smaller loads, whereas three-phase has the capability to handle larger data centers efficiently.
Hence, these PDUs are large units themselves that rest on the floor and are suitable for industrial or large-scale data center applications where high-power distribution is essential.
If the data center requires flexibility and scalability, then modular PDUs are a perfect choice. It empowers a data center to scale the power distribution as per requirement. Hence, it is a cost-efficient solution for modern data centers.
Apart from the different PDUs with their forms and structures, switched and metered PDUs deserve special mention since they enable users to monitor power usage and control the outlets remotely. These PDUs come in both horizontal and vertical configurations. Netrack believes that these PDUs with their advanced features and remote monitoring system will become an integral part of modern data centers worldwide.
Mounting options that need to be considered
Choosing the right power distribution units mounting is important to optimize the available space while ensuring proper airflow, and cable management in a data center. Depending upon the layout of server racks, one can choose the mounting options. The rack-mounting is the most common of them all due to its flexibility to mount either horizontally or vertically within server racks. If it is horizontally installed it takes up rack space in U-form but it is easy to install and maintain. An ideal option for smaller installations or racks with lower power requirements.
In large data centers with multiple racks for higher-density installations, vertical mounting is the best where space utilization is optimized and power distribution is efficient. Netrack also showcases the importance of tool-less mounting present as a feature in some of the PDUs where installation is quick and easy adding convenience and aesthetics to the data center.
Among the mounting options, wall-mount PDUs must also be mentioned as they are important in server rooms without a rack enclosure. In such scenarios, they can be directly mounted on the wall. They are perfect for small office settings where space is limited. Wall-mount options are also common in edge computing or remote network locations.
Choose wisely!
Making the right choice helps to improve the overall efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of a data center ecosystem. Prioritizing on scalability and cost-efficiency can add great value to an IT infrastructure and make it future ready.
