Power distribution systems and methodology

Abstract

The invention addresses the needs associated with the entire data center power distribution lifecycle—design, build, operation and upgrades. The design and construction is facilitated by a system for prefabricating power whips that accommodate changing data center needs. The invention also allows for upgrading power supply components without powering down critical equipment. Improved power and network strips and associated logic further facilitate data center operation.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for use in distributing power, comprising the steps of:
 establishing a policy for controlling delivery of power to one or more electrical devices via a set of one or more plug receptacles; and   upon occurrence of a policy condition, operating a switch system to control delivery of power to at least one of said devices via one of said receptacles.   
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said switch system comprises a number of virtual circuit breaker devices each independently operable to interrupt power to one or more of said electrical devices. 
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said step of operating comprises executing a sequence for one of turning on and turning off power to said set of receptacles. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for use in distributing power, comprising:
 a receptacle device having one or more plug receptacles; and   a controller having a first configuration for monitoring power delivered via said receptacle device and a second configuration for monitoring and controlling power delivery via said receptacle device.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said controller is manually operable to select either said first configuration or said second configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said controller is securely operable via a physical key. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said receptacle device can be turned on or turned off via a relay and said controller comprises a signal control circuit for controlling said relay. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said controller further includes a third configuration for turning said receptacle device off and a forth configuration wherein said receptacle device is monitored and each plug receptacle of said receptacle device is maintained in the last on or off state that it was set to. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for use in distributing power, comprising:
 a receptacle device including one or more plug receptacles;   at least one optical device associated with at least one plug receptacle of said receptacle device; and   logic for operating said optical device.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said optical device comprises a light for controllably lighting a vicinity of said receptacle device based on a control signal. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said optical device comprises at least one light for providing identification information related to a plug receptacle of said receptacle device. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said light identifies a receptacle of interest with respect to a defined operation. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said light is operative to identify a circuit of interest with respect to a defined operation. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said light is operative to identify a power phase of said receptacle. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said optical device is operative for signaling state information to a user regarding power delivered via a receptacle of said receptacle device. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein said optical device is operative for signaling a circuit breaker status. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein said optical device is operative for signaling an error code. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein said optical device is operative for signaling information regarding a parameter of a power signal delivered via said receptacle. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein an optical device is operative to detect the presence of an attached power chord plug. 
     
     
         31 . A method for use in distributing power, comprising the steps of:
 redundantly connecting an electrical device to a first receptacle device connectable to an A power supply and a second receptacle device connectable to a B power supply;   configuring said receptacle devices so that said A and B power supplies are provided via separate first and second power supply units, respectively;   disconnecting said electrical device from said A power source; and   upgrading one of said first power source and said first receptacle device.   
     
     
         32 .- 43 . (canceled)