Eaton adds metered-outlet power monitoring capabilities for data centers

Power management specialist Eaton has announced new metered outlet power measurement capabilities for data centers via its ePDU third-generation (G3) platform in the Americas. Providing capabilities to monitor and measure critical factors such as voltage, current and power consumption, Eaton claims that its latest rack power distribution units (PDUs) help information technology (IT) and data center managers conserve energy "with one percent billing grade accuracy at the outlet level."

Eaton says its newest ePDU offering is especially beneficial for colocation data centers and other mission-critical facilities that require the benefits of outlet level monitoring without an outlet switching component. Eaton’s metered outlet, metered input and managed models also feature a new daisy-chain function that allows up to eight ePDUs to share the same network connection and IP address, providing up to an 87.5 percent reduction in network infrastructure costs. This feature is also available for existing installations through a free firmware update.

“Eaton’s metered outlet models build on Eaton’s existing ePDU G3 platform, driving business value for end users with more precise power management and measurement capabilities at the outlet level,” said Hervé Tardy, vice president and general manager of Eaton’s Distributed Power Quality Division. “Providing advanced power monitoring functions and the flexibility to maximize network connectivity, Eaton’s latest offering can allow data centers to achieve significant cost savings and reduce the time needed to manage their power infrastructure.”

Network-connected ePDU G3 models are optimized to work with Eaton’s Intelligent Power Manager software, offering end-users an integrated power management platform to monitor multiple units through virtualization systems like VMware vCenter Server. Eaton’s ePDU G3 Metered Outlet and Managed models are designed to allow data center and IT managers to precisely measure power consumption at individual outlets for full-power utilization. The company notes that, with the capability to hone in on energy usage, data centers can make decisions that will help reduce power consumption, such as moving low utilized servers to another virtual machine.

With ePDU G3 Metered Outlet and Managed models, data centers gain the capability to meter power at the outlet level, which is the functionality needed for accurate Level 3 power usage effectiveness (PUE) calculations. Eaton’s ePDU G3 platform also offers a hot-swap network module so that users can replace the module without shutting down servers; therefore, maintaining business continuity and enhancing serviceability.

Additionally, all Eaton ePDU G3 models feature a new patent-pending International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) outlet grip designed to eliminate the risks associated with the common and often costly problem of plugs falling out of outlets due to bumps or vibrations. The solution can protect data center managers from incurring additional expenses related to cable trays or proprietary locking power cords, which can increase purchase costs by several hundred dollars per unit.

To learn more about Eaton’s ePDU G3 platform, visit www.eaton.com/ePDUG3.