A Power Meter by Any Other Name

Power meters are the essential workhorses for electricians and anyone who designs, manufactures or installs electrical devices. Within the broad category there are sub-categories that are specialized for certain tasks.

There are electric meters, used by utility companies to measure the amount of electricity a customer uses. There is the kilowatt meter that measures the amount of energy, in kilowatts, in a given electrical circuit. Optical power meters measure the amount of energy in fiber optical transmission systems and are often used by optical network builders. An ammeter measures the energy of an electric circuit in units of amperes. Then there are the most common ones people think of as the devices they use to check home wiring, or car electrical systems.

The main difference in power meters is between analog and digital. Analog is designed to give a continuous reading of levels. Digital meters can closely approximate analog continuity, however, by their nature, they use very small discrete units of measurement. One is not better than the other, rather the type of measurement needed and the electrical output being measured often determine which type is used.

Most digital types can measure both volts and amperes, in either alternating and/or direct current in one unit. They can combine multiple functions in one unit, such as a power meter, oscilloscope, and data logging from periods ranging from minutes to months. Some of the more advanced ones can generate graphs and reports when used with special software.

How the power meter is to be used can also be seen in its design. There are meters that use probes, others that use clamps, some are designed to sit on a bench and others designed for portability. An industrial/military meter is designed to perform its task under the extremes of heat, cold, humidity, shock, electromagnetic interference, and vibration.

Power meters are often used as a calibration tool to continuously check electrical levels in processing or manufacturing, where the electrical levels have an important part in determining the quality of the final product, such as when electrical current is used for bonding two different materials. They are also heavily used for quality control when the final product has to operate within defined tolerances, such as electric motors. In scientific instruments, power metering is a given for x-ray machines, magnetic imaging or containment devices, lasers and other pulse instruments, and many other instruments that require extreme control of power levels.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information about Kilowatt meter, please visit http://www.hoytmeter.com/.

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Applications of Switchable Power Metering in Varying Environments

Remote managed PDUs, offered by PDUs Direct and referred to as Switched PDUs, are industrial grade power strips with network and serial connection ports. Through these communications ports, users are able to monitor power draw and environmental conditions, control the outlets (rebooting or turning outlets on/off), and receive alert notifications if user defined thresholds for amperage, temperature or humidity are breached. Other Switched PDU features include: programmable power up sequencing, which lets the administrator define delays between outlets to allow network equipment to connect before other equipment begins the start up process; grouping of outlets, for single command control of equipment with multiple power supplies; definable user access ensures users only see the sections they have been given access to and change conditions based on their access level ("on only", "reboot only", etc.); and with the addition of the linked expansion units, users may control multiple circuits from a single interface when practicing power redundancy.

Switched Rack PDUs were originally designed and used by large data centers as a means to reboot unresponsive servers quickly without sending techs into the racks. As co-location facilities arose they became more popular, giving the offsite network manager greater control of their equipment. The offsite teams could monitor their power consumption and environmental conditions in real time and quickly cycle their devices without traveling to the colo or paying site fees to have it done for them. Quality of life improved, as well, on call personnel no longer had to travel to the servers during off hours simply to reboot a server. It could all be controlled from their laptop or home computer.

School districts, university campuses, and other decentralized networks also adopted the Switched PDUs. With smaller network configurations, servers and other communications equipment spread out through many locations, the Switched PDUs allow a single operator to service and manage the entire network from a single location. No longer were service techs dispatched to simply reboot equipment. Over 80% of equipment errors were resolved by simply rebooting the device. By giving a single operator the ability to complete that task remotely, switched PDUs save considerable time, effort, and money.

Other industries are finding new applications for this type of remote power management every day. Broadcasting companies are using these Switched PDUs for their remote transmission sites, reducing time off air. Airlines use them to reset their self check-in terminals, keeping travelers moving through the process quicker and with fewer agents. Retailers, as well, find them useful to keep point of sale kiosks up and running.

Companies today must find new ways to stay competitive. New technologies are pivotal to providing that edge, improving productivity, and reducing costs. More new technology solutions are being introduced every day, but they are only solutions if they work correctly. Switched Rack PDUs provide one way to improve service levels, ensure network solutions remain operational, and save money.

Jim Scherr is the Director of Sales and Operations for PDUs Direct, an online outlet of Server Technology manufactured products focused on the mid to small server environments. Visit PDUsDirect.com for more information.

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