Electronics Protection - Fall 2016 - 10

Feature Automatic transfer switches (ATS) provide power redundancy to equipment with one or two power supplies. The ATS automatically transfers the power from a primary source to a secondary source if there is a problem with the primary. Once the primary source is restored, power transfers back through it. Leveraging an ATS is ideal for protection of single-corded equipment. Management Software and connectivity is a key factor to think through when considering efficiency, reliability and uptime in your IT environment. Whether you are onsite or handling remotely, there are a number of effective management strategies available to enhance your visibility and control. UPS Level Monitoring and Management For in-rack monitoring, a UPS with an LCD screen is the way to go. Administrators can limit the use of software and have access to multiple settings through the local UPS display. They can also access the UPS's load segments and see what equipment is pulling the most or least power to help better equalize power distribution. If it's not possible to connect to the network environment through a laptop or call tech support for alarms, the LCD allows users to manage everything locally at the touch of a button. There are also managed and advanced monitoring technologies, including LCD screens, available for rack PDUs. Since rack PDUs help manage and monitor power at the individual outlet level, they can be an effective tool to use in calculating power consumption and measuring overall power usage effectiveness (PUE) ratings. Users can also switch the power on and off at the outlet level should they have servers or storage devices that need to be shut down for maintenance or replacement, enabling them to shut down one piece of equipment without taking the whole rack offline. Remote Monitoring/Management By integrating power management solutions with remote management software, such as Eaton's Intelligent Power Manager, administrators can also view and control their environment from any computer on the network. This provides more time for them to focus on higher priorities and provides peace of mind when working in remote environments. Providing the tools to monitor and manage power devices in a physical or virtual environment, remote monitoring software ensures system uptime and data integrity. Remote monitoring solutions can enable users to remotely monitor the temperature, humidity and status of devices. This can be done via a standard web browser, providing greater management control and flexible monitoring. Installation is simple and users typically get email notification should temperatures change outside of normal range. Administrators can also initiate alarm thresholds and system shutdown at critical levels. No matter whether you are building new infrastructure or optimizing your current environment, keep these tips on rack solutions and tools to organize, protect and manage your IT equipment in mind to preserve your investments and position your organization to grow and succeed. Jessica Biggerstaff is a product manager in Eaton's Power Quality Solutions organization in Raleigh, NC. You can reach her at JessicaBiggerstaff@Eaton.com. For more information visit www.eaton.com. 10 Fall 2016 * www.ElectronicsProtectionMagazine.com http://www.eaton.com http://www.ElectronicsProtectionMagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Electronics Protection - Fall 2016