Author: Nimesh Savit Interactive

Why is a Rack PDU important? Selecting a Rack PDU and Types of Rack PDUs

Rack Power Distribution Units (PDUs) are essential components in a data centre. They provide power distribution for rack-mounted equipment, such as servers, storage systems, and networking devices. Rack PDUs are assured of safety and efficient system operation, providing power protection, monitoring, and management capabilities.  

Why is a Rack PDU Important? 

Rack PDU provides power distribution for rack-mounted equipment, enabling the efficient and safe operation of the equipment. Rack PDUs assure of power protection, monitoring, and management capabilities. These capabilities are essential for ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment and optimising the system’s performance. 

Rack PDUs also provide the flexibility to support different types of equipment. They are designed to be compatible with various power sources, and they provide the ability to configure the power distribution to meet the system’s needs. This enables the data centre to be scaled up or down as needed, ensuring that the system can support the changing needs of the business.  

However, to ensure efficient operations, selecting the right rack power distribution unit is essential. Thus, when choosing a rack PDU, there are a few critical factors to consider. The points include: 

1. Input Power: The input power requirement of the rack PDU should meet the system’s power requirement. 

2. Output Power: The output power of the rack PDU should provide sufficient power to the system. 

3. Power Protection: The rack PDU should provide power protection features to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment. 

4. Monitoring and Management Capabilities: Power monitoring is an essential feature of a rack PDU. It allows data centre administrators to monitor power usage and ensure power is distributed efficiently. The rack PDU should also be able to monitor and manage the power distribution remotely. 

5. Compatibility: The rack PDU should be compatible with the system’s power source, as well as the system’s other components. 

6. Mounting Style: There are different mounting styles available, including vertical mount, horizontal mount, and din rail mount. The mounting type depends on the space available in the data centre and the equipment used. 

7. Redundancy: Redundancy is an essential feature of a rack PDU. It ensures that power is always available, even in the event of failure. 

Types of Rack PDUs 

With advancements in technology and varied requirements, rack power distribution units are also evolving. Catering to a range of requirements, there are different types of rack PDUs available, including:  

  • Metered Rack PDUs:  

Metered rack PDUs provide power distribution capabilities and the ability to monitor the system’s power consumption. Such PDUs are more economical than basic rack PDUs, owing to the more features they provide. 

  • Switched Rack PDUs:  

Switched rack PDUs provide power distribution capabilities and the ability to monitor and manage power distribution remotely.  

  • Horizontal Rack PDU:  

A horizontal Rack PDU is designed to be mounted horizontally onto a server rack. It is a common type of PDU and is often used in small to medium-sized data centres. A horizontal Rack PDU distributes power to equipment within the same rack, making it a reliable and convenient choice. Horizontal PDUs come in different sizes and configurations, with some models having features such as surge protection, remote monitoring, and power management. 

  • Vertical Rack PDU: 

A vertical Rack PDU is designed to be mounted vertically onto a server rack. It is often used in large data centres, where rack space is at a premium. Vertical Rack PDUs are ideal for distributing power to multiple racks of servers, making them a convenient choice for data centre managers. They come in different sizes and configurations, with some models having features such as surge protection, remote monitoring, and power management. 

A rack PDU is a crucial component of any data centre, providing power distribution and management capabilities to your critical IT equipment. Selecting the right PDU can be a daunting task. However, considering the above mentioned factors, choosing a reliable, scalable, and efficient PDU becomes possible, saving costs on maintenance and repair in the long run. With the right PDU, you can ensure that your critical IT equipment is powered efficiently and safely, thereby increasing uptime and productivity. 

As one of India’s leading Rack PDU manufacturers, Elcom International offers reliable and highly efficient Rack PDUs capable of supplying electric power across devices with utmost efficiency. Along with our Smart and Basic PDU’s we have recently launched patented ELGO PDUs. The ELGO PDU is a complete plug-and-play solution that allows users to easily configure their own PDU without having to specify in advance the type of outlets they need. With the ELGO PDU, users can enjoy the convenience of hot-swappable connectors that can be easily replaced on-site without having to power down their racks. In addition to its flexibility, the ELGO PDU also offers a range of other benefits, including the ability to upgrade outlets as needed, swap connectors as desired, and a safety cage that is finger-safe according to IEC-61032. 

Elcom international, as one of the most reliable electronic components manufacturers, designs, manufacturers and thoroughly tests all the products before making them available for consumption. Adhering to the industry standards, Rack PDUs by Elcom International undergo industry standard tests and manufacturing practices, assuring optimum efficiency in terms of functionality.  

Rack PDU

What are Wire Harnesses Used for and How Are They Made?

Wire harnesses is nothing but connecting two devices through wires or cables. It may a single wire or bundles of wires bound together. Due to its complex nature, let’s explore the elaborate details of wire harnesses, their application, and their manufacturing process.  

What are wire harnesses?  

Wire harnesses are typically a bundle of wires bound together by additional covering that helps guard against environmental conditions and other potentially harmful factors. The extra shell prevents the wire from wear and tear due to previously mentioned factors. These harnesses are essential because they are organized, so installing them into equipment becomes relatively more straightforward. Wire harnesses often get mistaken for cable harnesses or cable assemblies. Wire harnesses mainly provide easy organization of wires while installing equipment and only offer a certain degree of protection. In contrast, the cable assemblies bind multiple wires tightly to provide sturdy support against the environmental conditions in the picture.   

Wire harnesses provide numerous amounts of benefits, and they are:  

  • Helps with wire management within the machinery setup   
  • It gives a scope of optimization for specific situational needs  
  • Increases the lifespan of wires and cables  
  • Increases the safety of the equipment  
  • They are available in a versatile range of lengths and sizes  

Few applications of Wire Harness  

Wire harnesses have a range of applications. Here is an elaborate list of several names of equipment and device that uses wire harness:  

  • Locomotives: Wires harnesses are used in vehicles to relay information such as direction indication, electrical power, etc  
  • In aerospace: Wire harnesses are used in flight simulators to transmit information while compliant with various performance standards and precise spacing requirements. This is done because aeronautical objects move with immense velocity, so to avoid any mishap with the wires, wires harnesses are used as they would provide some resistance to the atmospheric pressure and impact of air due to the velocity of the flying object.   
  • The panel displays for flat screens: Flat screens use wire harnesses as there is already less volume in the body to fit all the critical components necessary for the screen to work.    
  • Rugged computer- These computers are used in harsh environments like industries with heavy workloads and warzones. Hence wire harnesses are installed in the system as they are protected from dirt, dust, fungus, etc., due to the additional coverage that bounds them.   

Apart from the sectors mentioned above, Wire Harnesses are also used in machinery involved in industrial equipment, construction appliances, home appliances, military and defense systems, medical equipment, and many more. 

What is the manufacturing process of wire harnesses?  

The manufacturing process of wire harnesses is partly complex: 

The process always starts with its designing phase. Wires harnesses are used in industrial machinery, washing machine, etc. Hence its design also varies depending on its purpose and workload. Therefore, creating a customized wires harness is one of the challenging aspects of its manufacturing process. The engineers must consider the possible issues wire harnesses may face in particular machinery while designing them.    

Then a prototype is created to determine how the wire harness will work. The manufacturing process of wire harnesses is primarily manual. Manually assembled parts help resolve electric and space issues with certain complex products. The next step is called wire cutting. The wires are cut according to the machine requirement where the wire harness will be used. In the end, safety testing is run as it should for any electric component. In this last phase, utility and sustainability are checked rigorously.   

As one of the leading wire harness manufacturers in India, Elcom International offers a range of highly efficient wire harness solutions. ELCOM International, as one of the prominent harness manufacturers in India, specializes in creating electromechanical and electronic components with the mindset of producing world-class products. Backed by extensive research and advanced technology, Elcom International, a reliable wiring harness manufacturer, assures quality by complying with industry standards and manufacturing practices. Leveraging years of experience and expertise in the domain, Elcom International, one of the best wiring harness manufacturers in India, wins over competitors by incorporating top-notch practices and customer-centric solutions.  

What is PDU? How To Choose the Right PDU for Your Data Center

What is a PDU?

A Power Distribution Unit generally referred to as PDU, earlier known in common parlance as a power strip, is an device fitted with multiple outputs intended for distributing electric power. The distribution of the power is mainly directed towards the racks of computers and networking equipment like servers located within a data centre of the device or equipment. The PDU is either a Basic or a Smart or Intelligent PDU. PDUs are either Horizontally mounted in a Rack and are called 1U or 2U PDUs depending on their height.(1U=1.75 Inches) or Vertically Mounted which are called “0” U. Generally there are Two Vertical PDUs mounted on either side of a Rack and are each connected to a different power source so as to maintain redundant power supply to the equipment connected.

Unlike a power strip, Power distribution units or PDUs are more advanced and are used to bring power to the IT equipment and are installed in a Server Rack.They are used for distributing and controlling electric power in a data centre. The basic PDUs are designed to make standard electrical outlets accessible for the data centre equipment without remote access ability or monitoring and other intelligent features.

From the available PDUs, it becomes essential to pick the ideal one for the circuit and encourage smooth functioning. Here are some questions that help understand the power distribution unit and smart PDU configuration.

Questions to ask while selecting a PDU for your data centre 

What are the different types of Outlets or Connectors used?

In most of the PDUs used in the Data Centers, the outlets used are IEC 60320 standard outlets or in some cases outlets like Schuko or NEMA outlets. The commonly used Outlets are IEC 60320 C13 or C19 types. For a desired output of 10 Amps a C13 Outlet is used and and for 16 Amps a C19 Outlet is used both for 250 VAC. As there is a need for higher density data centers where the higher power requirement also pushes up the temperature ratings of the outlets. The C13 and C19 Outlets are rated for 70 degrees C. For higher temperatures upto 150 degrees C, Elcom offers C15 and C21 Outlets; Elcom’s PDUs also offer these options for high density and high current applications. All these have UL and VDE Safety approvals.

Elcom also offers NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) Standard Outlets and also PDUs with these types of outlets.

2. How many outlets does it have?

The number of outlets integrated into any PDU generally depends on the specifications given by the customers depending on the servers and other appliances connected in a Server Rack.  Generally a combination of C13 and C19 Outlets are configured in each branch which decide the size and length of the PDU, but the total length of the PDU and is limited because of the height of the server cabinet. A standard and basic PDU will have 24 to 40  or more outlets in its configuration. However, some PDUs have different configurations. These PDUs often divide the circuit into various branches, and each branch works according to the fuse or its circuit breaker. This alternating phase PDUs distributes the power on a per outlet basis in the equipment.

3. Are the outlets colour-coded?

To ensure easy circuit identification, it may not  be necessary to integrate colour-coded outlets unless specified by a user, but colour coding of the branches along with thecircuit breakers can be used for better identification of the branches or circuits. It also reduces the risk of overloading as it makes identification easier of the circuit configuration. Since traditional PDUs have outlets grouped according to the branches of the configuration, the high-density PDUs organise the alternating phase outlets to reduce cord clutter, simplify the load balancing in the circuit and allow the integration of more outlets in the same amount of space.

4. What is the footprint of the PDU?

Before finalising the PDU for the circuit, it is essential to consider the footprint and its impact. Nonetheless, the 0U PDUs are convenient and do not consume equipment space; considering their footprint, impact on heat dissipation and approach to cable management help with finding the ideal configuration. The ones with ultra-low profile designs adjust in limited space along with increasing the airflow and operational efficiency within the circuit. Analysing the footprint of the PDU becomes significant primarily when the circuit uses multiple PDUs to support power supplies.

5. Does the PDU provide metering capabilities?

PDUs integrated with metering capabilities significantly reduce the risk of overloading the circuit. It also helps the data centre operators with planning the capacity of the circuit and optimises the use of energy. The input-metered PDUs monitor the circuit breakers and phases in real-time, preventing any damage to the circuit. The outlet-metered PDUs generally monitor the power load at the outlet level. And the network-connected PDUs  allow the technicians to view the collected data remotely.

6. Does the PDU have switched outlets?

Switched outlets are general features, and this makes the applications more accessible. It allows technicians to power on and off along with remotely reboot equipment and sequencing the equipment’s power control. This outlet provides the control that helps prevent other outlets’ unauthorised use.

Elcom International offers a full range of PDUs.

Elcom International’s intelligent, high-quality, reliable and technologically advanced PDUs enhance operational efficiency and data centre uptime. By accommodating customisation, Elcom International makes world-class quality PDUs manufactured and engineered with different configurations possible . Distinguished and customised based on mounting, inlets and outlets, type of protections and other components, Elcom International caters to a range of PDUs-related requirements with fully functional solutions.