eConnect Power Distribution Units (PDUs) are Chatsworth Products’ (CPI) answer to the growing demand for reliable, intelligent power distribution at the rack level, and the sole recipient of a 2020 Cabling Innovators Award in the category Cable Protection and Management. eConnect combines valuable features and integrates three hardware systems (power management, environmental monitoring and access control). This greatly lowers the cost of networking for remote monitoring at the rack level—one of the challenges for organizations that see value in data-driven power management. In 2020 CPI added several features to its eConnect line, including the following.
1) Phase-balance outlets on three-phase models to ensure equal loading across all phases.
2) The addition of field-replaceable controllers for easy serviceability and upgradeability while maintaining power to critical loads.
3) Switched eConnect models with bistable latching relays for reduced energy consumption and increased service reliability.
4) A newly patented locking outlet that not only prevents accidental disconnections, but also is easily accessible from the front of the PDU.
5) A Redundancy Pack to help easily identify the primary and secondary (failover) unit. The pack uses color coding to identify the A and B feed PDUs.
6) Outlet labels that are printed onto the PDU chassis, ensuring individual outlets, including high-outlet-density units, are labeled permanently and neatly.
7) The eConnect RFID Electronic Lock Kit, which uses a modular, integrated swinghandle and reader.