Network remote power management outlet strip

Abstract

A vertical-mount network remote power management outlet strip embodiment of the present invention comprises a long, thin outlet strip body with several independently controllable power outlet sockets distributed along its length. A power input cord is provided at one end, and this supplies AC-operating power to relays associated with each of the power outlet sockets. The relays are each addressably controlled by a microprocessor connected to an internal I2C-bus serial communications channel. The power-on status of each relay output to the power outlet sockets is sensed and communicated back on the internal I2C-bus. A device-networking communications processor with an embedded operating system translates messages, status, and controls between the internal I2C-bus and an Ethernet port, and other external networks.

1 . An electrical power distribution system of the type being connectable to provide power to one or more electrical loads in an electrical equipment rack, the power distribution system comprising: 
 a power distribution unit (PDU) in power controlling communication with at least one of the plurality of power outputs, the PDU having: 
 a power distribution unit enclosure;  
 a power input penetrating the power distribution unit enclosure;  
 a plurality of power outputs disposed in the power distribution unit enclosure, wherein each of the plurality of power outputs is connectable to a corresponding one of the one or more electrical loads; and  
 a PDU communications section;  
   an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) having a UPS communications section; and    a command communications link between the UPS communications section and the PDU communications section.    
     
     
         2 . The electrical power distribution system of  claim 1 , further comprising a network personality module in communication with at least one intelligent power module, wherein each of the at least one intelligent power module is in power control communication with at least one of the plurality of power outputs.  
     
     
         3 . The electrical power distribution system of  claim 2 , wherein the network personality module is removably mounted in the PDU.  
     
     
         4 . The electrical power distribution system of  claim 2 , wherein the network personality module is connected to a network interface.  
     
     
         5 . The electrical power distribution system of  claim 2 , wherein the network personality module supports simple network management protocol (SNMP).  
     
     
         6 . The electrical power distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the UPS is mounted in the electrical equipment rack.  
     
     
         7 . The electrical power distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the PDU is mounted in the electrical equipment rack.  
     
     
         8 . A method of managing power provided to one or more electrical loads in an electrical equipment rack, the method comprising: 
 with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) mounted in the electrical equipment rack, providing operating power to the one or more electrical loads;    with a power distribution unit (PDU), managing the operating power provided to the one or more electrical loads; and    with a communications link between the PDU and the UPS, issuing commands from the PDU to the UPS.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of issuing commands comprises issuing a read command.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of issuing commands comprises issuing a write command.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: with a personality module, supplying operating power to a plurality of power outputs, wherein each of the plurality of power outputs provides power to a corresponding one of the one or more electrical loads.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of supplying operating power comprises: with the personality module, supplying DC operating power that is derived from an AC power input.