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 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;    an intelligent power section in communication with at least one of the plurality of power outputs and disposed in the power distribution unit connectable to a communications network external to the power distribution unit enclosure; and    a remote power manager application connectable to be in communication with the intelligent power section through the communications network, wherein the remote power manager is in power-on sequencing communication with the intelligent power section.    
     
     
         2 . A method of using a power manager application to control operating power supplied to a plurality of power outputs within 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 method comprising: 
 monitoring power provided to the plurality of power outputs; and    performing power-on sequencing of the plurality of power outputs.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of performing power-on sequencing comprises bringing on power loading gradually.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the power loading occurs at a fixed time interval.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the fixed time interval is two seconds.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the power loading occurs at a variable time interval.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of bringing on power loading comprises using at least one fixed time interval and at least one variable time interval.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of performing power-on sequencing allows a user an ability to design at least one of the plurality of power outputs to be loaded at a percentage of full capacity.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of power outputs can be loaded at 80% of full capacity.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of performing power-on sequencing reduces power drops required in a data center.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of monitoring power comprises monitoring current being delivered to an electrical load through a corresponding one of the plurality of power outputs.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising reporting the monitored current being delivered to the electrical load.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of reporting the monitored current comprises displaying information corresponding to the monitored current on a user display.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of monitoring power comprises monitoring multiple currents being delivered to a plurality of electrical loads through corresponding ones of the plurality of power outputs.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising reporting the monitored currents, wherein the step of reporting the monitored currents comprises displaying information related to at least one of the monitored currents on a user display.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of performing power-on sequencing of the plurality of power outputs is performed remotely over a network.