The Power of PDU

AUGUST, 2022


What is Power Distribution Unit (PDU)


Power distribution unit (PDU) is a device can be used in residential home or public areas to control and distribute electrical power supply. Basic type of PDU like power strip is an extension cord which provides multiple devices using the current of a single power source, such as a wall outlet. Advanced PDUs can provide real-time power consumption and voltage monitoring and can be access remotely through network to control outlets on/off. Given the features within power distribution unit, PDUs can help organizations to sufficiently monitor equipment and power.


PDUs can also be categorized into two major sections according to features: basic or intelligent. Basic power distribution units only provides reliable unfiltered power distribution. However, intelligent PDU contains variety of features. First of all, intelligent PDU can monitor real-time power distribution and avoid potential overloads with built-in analog front end IC. In addition, some smart PDU can display load levels to keep track of voltage and current and save the costs and environmental footprint by powering off devices that are not being used via network connection. In order to reduce equipment malfunction occurrence or excess energy consumption, users can schedule power on/off cycle for specific outlets and auto reboot devices if necessary. Last but not least, intelligent PDU has the ability to create power sequencing delays that minimize the risk of inrush currents which trigger over-current protection and fail to power on the devices.


Basic PDUs are cost-effective and suitable for personal usage; however, companies or retailers need intelligent PDUs since they have more complicated environments. With advanced PDU introduced to enterprise, organization can reduce the cost of repairing or maintaining electrical components.


There are different types of PDUs that can be used for different conditions: Rack-mounted PDU, and wireless PDU.

  • Rack-mounted PDU

    Rack-mounted PDU come in 0U, 1U or 2U. "U" stands for the unit of measurement for racks. Normally speaking, rack-mounted PDUs can be mounted either horizontally or vertically inside or outside a rack.Horizontal PDUs are typically available in 1U or 2U heights and are designed for mounting in19-inch wide racks. Due to the restriction of width, horizontal PDUs typically have fewer outlets but can be mounted behind the equipment to save the space.Vertical PDUs are mounted on the upright rails of a rack enclosure, which is known as 0U. Mounting it vertically means you do not take valuable horizontal mounting space away from your other equipment. Vertical PDUs are longer and have up to 18 outlets.

  • Wireless PDU

    With internet accessibility, wireless PDU is able to connect to internet without ethernet cable connection which greatly improve its mobility. It has less outlet and compact size which can fit into anywhere such as besides a digital signage or a smart TV to monitor and control the power to equipment.

PDU Application

Power distribution units can be used in wide range of areas from residences to large organizations. In relatively small spaces like shops or houses, PDUs has become more important. Since smart home applications have significantly increased over the past couple years, more devices required electrical power. Thus, all devices can benefit from PDUs. When multiple equipment connected to power distribution unit, they can be safely powered even when power station provides unstable voltage input. While different applications like entertainment devices intake diverse power supply level, PDUs can still handle the situations accurately and carefully.


In terms of company offices, they can fully experience the potential of power distribution units. That is, IT environments typically require stable and high-quality electrical supply. Sometimes an office would suffer when power outage so it is vital to ensure that any electrical devices will not cause catastrophic issues. Using a PDU can help managers to sufficiently prevent this type of situations and turn off outlets from someone accidently using them. Household PDU can also bring benefits for resident family. When home appliances like TV, refrigerator, air conditioner connect to PDU, houseowners can easily manage power usage by checking their data online. If any short circuit occur, they can immediately shutdown devices to prevent them from catching fire. As the need of servers and electrical components increase over the past decades, PDUs can help both enterprise and home system with a scalable and safe solution.

Benefits of PDU


Power distribution units are essential when they come to integrated monitoring system since they are mostly responsible for protecting mission-critical equipment. As we can see from advanced PDUs’ features, organization can customize their needs and take as advantages.​

  • Safe-voltage protection

    Safe voltage feature includes over voltage and under voltage protection. When valuable devices encounter unsafe, dangerous voltage conditions from the AC source during PDU connection, PDU will automatically shut down the outlets. For instance, whenever user set the safe voltage scope between 100V to 120V, any voltage values outside the expected range will trigger the auto shutdown feature to protect the connected devices.

  • Over-current protection

    During excessive load drawn or short circuit condition, PDU’s metering IC will disable all outlets to protect the main service panel or sub-panel. Apart from the 15A circuit breaker of PDU, PDU allows more accurate reading of current to enhance the protection of equipment damage or fire risk to properties.

  • Power surge protection

    Whenever lighting strike or high voltage impulse damage electrical equipment, PDUs can safely handle the condition by using 15kV cable electro-static discharge (ESD), 2kV cable surge, UL 1449/ EN 61643 type 3 SPD 6kV/3kA surge protection mechanism to protects devices from these high energy discharges.

  • AC performance controlling

    PDU can also have specialized circuitry design to filter the AC power so that it can be as clean as possible to extend the lifetime and stability of your devices. Additionally PDU can detect and indicate if the AC input is properly grounded or not.

  • User friendly power management

    Some PDU with LCD screen provides easier information visibility on energy usage. Others can audit energy consumption and reduce excess power operation along with scheduling features.

  • Real-time status & remotely maintenance

    PDU can provide real-time statistics and issue notifications 24/7 if some irregular readings occur. To prevent further damage to equipment if a problem is detected, users can control individual outlets remotely so that immediate action can be taken to turn it off.

Start with Emplus


Among all the PDU products in the market, Emplus has provided the ultimate cloud-managed intelligent power for enterprise. Emplus provides original design manufacturer (ODM) services to ensure power availability and translate clients’ needs into custom design. Rack-mounted or Wireless intelligent power distribution unit is customizable for high quality power, energy, and device management solution, ideal for use in server rooms and home entertainment systems, to control and monitor power vitals remotely over the network and to reduce equipment issue, late-night service calls and unnecessary truck rolls. Emplus PDUs design team can eliminate potential risks by using thermal simulation and professional experience of material usage in different scenarios. Moreover, Emplus has wealth knowledge in Network device design and firmware, driver, and API development. In other words, they can integrate both hardware and software for their clients which greatly reduce reliability issues. Extensive Emplus regulatory team can levitate the certification process to another level which they assist their customer to pass regulatory UL1449, UL 62368-1, and UL 1283 certification. With the help from Emplus, customers can expect high quality and stability PDUs to support their demands.