Networkable electrical power distribution plugstrip with current display and method of use

Abstract

A power management device can include a power management device housing, a power input associated with the power management device housing, and a plurality of power outputs associated with the power management device housing. At least certain power outputs can be connectable to one or more electrical loads external to the power management device housing and to the power input. In some embodiments, a communications bus can be associated with the power management device housing and one or more power control sections can also be associated with the power management device housing. In some embodiments, one ore more power control sections can communicate with the communications bus and with one or more corresponding power outputs among the plurality of power outputs. In some embodiments, a power information display can communicate with the communications bus. If desired, a power information determining section can be associated with the power management device housing and in communication with the communications bus. The power information determining section may communicate power-related information to the power information display.

1 . An electrical power distribution plugstrip connectable to one or more electrical loads in an electrical equipment rack, the electrical power distribution plugstrip comprising in combination: 
 A. an electrical power distribution plugstrip housing mountable in the electrical equipment rack;    B. a plurality of power inputs in operating power providing communication with the electrical power distribution plugstrip housing;    C. a plurality of power outputs disposed along a side of the electrical power distribution plugstrip housing, wherein each of the plurality of power outputs is connectable to a corresponding one of the one or more electrical loads, and wherein each of the plurality of power inputs is in operating power providing communication with a corresponding sub-plurality of the plurality of outputs;    D. a current-related information display associated with the electrical power distribution plugstrip housing in current-related information determining communication with at least one among the plurality of power inputs and the plurality of power outputs; and    E. a remote power manager application connectable to be in communication with the intelligent power section through the communications network, wherein the remote power manager application has an adjustable alarm threshold parameter, and wherein the power manager is in alarm threshold communication with the intelligent power section.    
     
     
         2 . The electrical power distribution plugstrip of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 F. an intelligent power section associated with the electrical power distribution plugstrip housing in power controlling communication with at least one of the plurality of power outputs and connectable to a communications network external to the electrical power distribution plugstrip housing.    
     
     
         3 . The electrical power distribution plugstrip of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 F. a current-related information reporting system coupled with the electrical power distribution plugstrip housing and being (i) in current-related information determining communication with at least one among the plurality of power inputs and the plurality of power outputs, and (ii) connectable in current-related information transfer communication with the communications network.    
     
     
         4 . The electrical power distribution plugstrip of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 G. a plurality of power control relays associated with the electrical power distribution plugstrip housing, each of the plurality of power control relays being connected to the power input and in independent power controlling communication with one or more corresponding power outputs among the plurality of power outputs.    
     
     
         5 . The electrical power distribution plugstrip of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the plurality of power control relays associated with the electrical power distribution plugstrip housing is disposed in the intelligent power section.  
     
     
         6 . The electrical power distribution plugstrip of  claim 4 , wherein the intelligent power section comprises an intelligent power module having at least one of the plurality of power control relays and a corresponding power output for such one of the plurality of power control relays.  
     
     
         7 . The electrical power distribution plugstrip of  claim 1 , wherein the current-related information display is in current determining communication with all among the plurality of power outputs through at least one current sensing device.  
     
     
         8 . The electrical power distribution plugstrip of  claim 1 , wherein the alarm threshold parameter is user-adjustable.  
     
     
         9 . The electrical power distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote power manager application is connectable to a remote site through the communications network.  
     
     
         10 . The electrical power distribution system of  claim 9 , wherein alarm information can be transmitted from the remote power manager application to the remote site through the communications network.  
     
     
         11 . The electrical power distribution system of  claim 1  further comprising a voltage sensor in communication with the remote power manager application.  
     
     
         12 . The electrical power distribution system of  claim 1 , further comprising a current sensor in communication with the remote power manager application.  
     
     
         13 . The electrical power distribution system of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor in communication with the remote power manager application.