PDUs Direct Blog

Plug Shields Control Access To Your Outlets

Scenario: You installed a Metered or Basic PDU in your rack, connected your equipment, and ensured the load is maximized within safe operating levels. A few weeks later someone working in your racks is looking for a location to add additional devices, plug in a lap top, or even connect a power tool. They see open outlets plug in their device and overload the circuit taking down your entire rack. It's an avoidable and unfortunately too common occurrence on networks around the world. Must have power, still have outlets

If only there was a way to lock out the outlets, and prevent unauthorized connections........

PDUs Direct is now offering the Agitan Plug Shields. These outlet shields prevent drive by plug ins and potential circuit overloads. They also provide a visual indication that authorization is required to connect equipment, provide increased internal controls, and facilitate Network Audits.

 The Agitan Plug Shields simply inserts into the C13 outlet. If you have children, they operate much like the baby proof outlet shields in your home. The shield effectively blocks the outlet from any connections. Place a shield in each unused outlet to fully protect your circuits. To remove the shield insert the removal tool, turn, and pull. 

 

 The Agitan Plug Shield is bright red with "Authorized Removal Only" written on the face. This provides a visual indicator that connection of equipment requires management authorization. Management controls the Removal Tool access and usage, and with a simple outlet control request form your have increased your internal controls. I know, not a lot of "wow factor", but if you have ever been involved in a Sarbanes Oxley, increased internal controls make the bean counters very happy. 

The shields are also useful when completing your IT power audits. The contrasting red shields make identifying unused outlets quick and easy. This information is useful in determining where to look for additional growth capacity and free rack space.

For a small, inexpensive, and simple tool, the Agitan Plug Shields provides practical overload protection, enhanced best practices, and additional internal controls without adding points of failure.  

Basic PDUs Applications and Considerations

 

Basic PDUs are simple and economical solutions for providing power distribution to your cabinet.  Simple in terms of providing a single power input with multiple power outlets. Simple when compared to the features available with network connected power strips and switched PDUs, but a great deal of thought and design has gone into making them correctly.

Basic PDUs are best used in environments where the power draw is known, constant, stable and manned. They are very effective in cluster or supercomputing environments, where many identical non-critical devices are working together. They are also effective in small manned locations that have low density equipment racks.

Normally a computer rack is not a stagnant environment. Equipment is often being added, removed, or upgraded. People are often in the racks and things get banged around.  For this reason, the steel enclosure, industrial grade components, and small form factor are ideal features in the rack environment. The steel enclosure prevents damage to the PDU when installing and removing other equipment. The smaller form factor also keeps the PDU out of the way during these equipment movements. The top quality components are designed to operate at peak spec levels for indefinite periods, withstand bumps and bangs, and last for years without maintenance.

Unlike your desktop power strip, a good basic power distribution unit will be rack mountable, either vertically in the back rack space or horizontally in one U of rack space. This secures the PDU to the rack and prevents the power strip from dangling by the connected power cords, sitting on equipment and overheating, or being accidentally kicked or dropped. A mounted PDU will conveniently present the outlets to the user and allow for clean rack organization.

One of the worst things that can happen, when working in server cabinets, is the inadvertent shutdown of equipment. More often than not this is caused by accidently unplugging a device or disconnecting the power strip.  Good Basic PDUs avoid this two ways. First a good power distribution device shouldn't have an on/off switch.  PDUs are designed to run constantly. An on/off switch merely provides a point of failure that can bring down the entire circuit. Secondly, cable retention clips, keep your outlet plugs securely connected. To remove a plug from a clipped outlet requires and conscious effort, and combined with cable labeling, accidental disconnects can be a thing of the past.

Sometimes the simplest tool is the most effective, but simple doesn't mean you need to skimp on quality or functionality. Depending on your application, a Basic Power Distribution Unit could be your best and most economical solution. You can find these Basic PDUs at http://pdusdirect.com/power-distribution-units/basic/