Posted by Jim Scherr on Wed, Apr 21, 2010
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.
Posted by Jim Scherr on Fri, Nov 06, 2009
The goal of this blog is to provide our customers with information about site changes, products, best practices, and frequently asked questions. We'd like to make this an informative site with a lot of customer input. So if you have any items you'd like to discuss let us know at support@pdusdirect.com and we will address them here.
We might also use this forum to answer, in greater detail, some the questions we receive from you the users. Our customer base is primarily IT professionals, who are exceptionally good at networks, but have not given power a great deal of thought. They often have a number of questions when looking for PDUs, and that's what we are here for.
More to come soon, so check back occasionally!