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About rack power distribution units
Power distribution units for server cabinets: basic, metered and switched rack PDUs in horizontal and vertical formats. Sourced to order; tell us the cabinet, the outlet count and the plug type.
A power distribution unit, or PDU, is the power strip built for a rack. It takes one supply from the wall or the UPS, through a plug rated for the whole load, and spreads it across the IEC outlets that servers, switches and storage plug into. Horizontal PDUs take 1U of rack space; vertical units mount in the side channel of an 800 mm cabinet and take none.
This page explains the choices. PDUs are sourced to order, matched to the cabinet, the equipment and the supply available, for server rooms and network cabinets across Qatar.
- Types
- Basic, metered, monitored, switched
- Formats
- Horizontal 1U, vertical zero-U
- Outlets
- IEC C13 and C19
- Availability
- Sourced to order
PDU types
| Type | What it adds | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Outlets and a breaker, nothing else | Network cabinets, small racks |
| Metered | A local display of the current drawn, so the circuit is not overloaded | Racks being filled over time |
| Monitored | Reports power use over the network, often per outlet | Server rooms tracking load and cost |
| Switched | Each outlet can be turned on and off remotely | Remote sites, rebooting a hung device without a visit |
Specifying a PDU
- Input. The plug and rating on the supply side must match what the room or the UPS provides: a 13 A or 16 A socket for a small rack, a 32 A commando-style supply for a dense one. In Qatar the mains is 240 V, 50 Hz.
- Outlets. Count the power leads, allowing for two per server. Most equipment uses C13; high-wattage supplies and some storage use C19. Include a few spare.
- Load. Add up the equipment's draw and keep it under the PDU's rating with headroom. A metered PDU shows the figure live.
- Two PDUs. Servers with redundant supplies should plug into two PDUs on separate feeds, so that one fault does not take the rack down.
- Format. Vertical PDUs suit an 800 mm cabinet with free side channels and keep rack units free. Horizontal units fit any cabinet and are easier to reach in a shallow one.
- Cord retention. Locking outlets or retention clips stop a lead working loose, which is the commonest cause of a server losing one supply.
Sourcing PDUs through ServerDove
Send the requirement by WhatsApp on +974 5521 2108, email sales@serverdove.com or use the contact page. Tell the team the cabinet, the number and type of outlets, the supply plug available and whether you want metering or remote switching, and they will propose units and quote them. PDUs are usually specified alongside a UPS and a cabinet, and the team can install and cable the rack as a service.
Power Distribution Units (PDU): frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a PDU and a normal power strip?
A PDU is built for the rack: it mounts on the rails or in the side channel, uses IEC outlets that match server power leads, carries a breaker rated for the full load, and is available with metering and remote switching. A domestic strip has the wrong outlets, no rack mounting and no rating for a rack full of equipment.
Horizontal or vertical PDU?
A horizontal PDU takes 1U of rack space and fits any cabinet. A vertical PDU mounts in the side channel of an 800 mm wide cabinet, takes no rack units and puts an outlet next to every server. For a dense rack with an 800 mm cabinet, vertical is the usual choice; for a small or 600 mm cabinet, horizontal.
Metered, monitored or switched: which do I need?
Metered shows the load on a local display, which is enough to stop you overloading a circuit as the rack fills. Monitored reports it over the network for tracking and alerts. Switched lets you power an outlet off and on remotely, which is worth having at an unattended site where a hung device would otherwise mean a visit.
How many PDUs does a rack need?
Two, if the servers have redundant power supplies. Each server plugs one supply into each PDU, and the PDUs are fed from different sources, so a fault on one PDU, one feed or one UPS leaves every server running on its other supply.
What input plug should the PDU have?
It must match the supply in the room or the output of the UPS. Small racks run from an ordinary 13 A or 16 A socket; a rack of servers usually needs a 32 A supply on an industrial commando-style connector, installed by an electrician. Send the team a photo of the available supply if you are not sure.
Can ServerDove install the PDUs?
Yes. Send the requirement by WhatsApp on +974 5521 2108, email sales@serverdove.com or use the contact page. The team supplies, fits and cables PDUs as part of a rack build, and can advise on the supply the electrician needs to provide.
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