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An introduction to Remote Power Switches that will help increase productivity while minimizing costs.

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Remote Power Switch (AC): How to Remote Control Power

Remote Power Controller 100 (AC Power Version)
AC Version of the Remote Power Switch
Click here for the DC Version

The Remote Power Switch is a rack-mountable PDU (Power Distribution Unit). PDUs are a tool for selectively switching AC and/or DC power to your devices. This unit has power controls to remote switch power in faraway facilities. It's available in both DC and AC to match the power in use at different kinds of sites.

An AC power switch will typically have the standard plugs you see in homes and offices around the world. With a DC Remote Power Switch, you're more likely to see an industrial connector that accepts bare wiring.

Remote power units are available from many different manufacturers, but there are a few that include more functionality than the rest. DPS' ethernet controlled remote electrical switches can have both PDU and RTU functionalities in only one metal box.

The PDU functionality allows you to control remote AC power via a network power switch. The RTU capabilities allow you to monitor discrete and analog alarm data from your important equipment.

For added environmental visibility, this industrial remote power switch also monitors the internal and external temperature, as well as current draw for each input power. This is especially critical at your unmanned sites, where you need to detect and respond to network issues remotely.

Advantages of Using a Remote Power Switch

This remote AC power controller is more than a power strip with a remote switch. This remote controlled power switch allows you to control much more, and increase visibility at your unmanned sites. With this power strip switching ability, you can turn on servers or other equipment from hundreds of miles away.

Obviously, you can also turn off equipment remotely. You can even reboot your servers if they lock up, or you can have outlet control for example. In this way, a simple rack PDU can save expensive trips out to distant locations just to check on power supplies.

With traditional power management systems, when it is necessary to perform a reboot, technicians should be physically present at a remote site. This leads to substantial costs to your company.

You should dispatch your technicians only when necessary. With an RPS, you'll avoid the costs of windshield time - wasted time, fuel, and wages on the road. Have an intelligent PDU send power control commands remotely through LAN, dial-up, cellular, or other connections.

A remote power management solution will allow you to reboot non-responsive equipment and troubleshoot problems remotely, which can reduce network downtime and outages (and ultimately revenue losses).

You can access the Remote Power Switch from any PC on your network. Log into its web interface and you can operate controls, check sensors, and monitor power consumption - all from your desk.

If you need more capacity at one location, you can use the expansion port on the back of the unit. With the expansion port, you can daisy chain many Remote Power Controllers together. Linked switches will act as a single unit, making them easy to control remotely using the web interface.

If you already have a remote monitoring system in place, SNMP is a valuable feature in a Remote Power Controller unit. With this protocol, you can integrate your unit into your existing monitoring and control system. With SNMP, you won't have to turn power on or off through the equipment interface itself. When power controllers are under your SNMP manager umbrella, commands can be issued even faster - or even automatically.

When conditions exceed the pre-configured thresholds, SNMP allows you to receive monitoring notifications about your equipment 24x7.

Who Can Benefit from Using the Remote Power Switch AC?

Remote Power Switch units are used in server rooms, data centers, remote telecom sites, and anywhere else that you would want power from a controlled switch. You need to be able to control power remotely on equipment without someone physically being on site. They are used in telecom, transportation/transit, public utilities, government, military, education, and research environments worldwide.

Here's a Summary of What This Power Controller Can Do For You

  • Power management, as the PDU meaning suggests, you can switch on/off and reboot equipment, right from your desk chair
  • This remote control PDU drastically cuts down on expensive truck rolls - and quickly pays for itself
  • Available with 2 AC Inputs + 3 AC Outputs each OR 1 AC Input + 8 AC Outputs
  • Built-in D-Wire Sensor port to monitor an external sensor
  • 2 Build Options: RTU version with 16 discretes, 4 analogs & 2 controls OR only AC switching power
  • SNMP-compatible - Send SNMP traps and/or receive email notifications, and integrate your PDU into your broader monitoring and control system
  • Cascade several units together as one logical device using the base unit's IP address
  • Enable/disable remote access to the unit for on-site troubleshooting
  • Secure web based power switch (via SSL encryption) for organizations that need a higher level of security
  • Built-in temperature monitoring to track changing environmental conditions
  • Monitors current draw - See how much power is flowing into each input
  • RoHS 5/6 compliant
  • Powder-coated metal chassis

Need a Perfect-Fit Solution? Work With Us

The Remote Power Switch is just one of the multiple remote monitoring solutions that we offer. If you would like to know more about how we can make any custom devices at a fair price, simply contact us - we'd be happy to talk to you.