The PowerPDU 4KS is a smart power distribution unit with four IEC320 C13 power outlets that can be monitored and switched and one digital input (DI) for remote control over an IP network. The PowerPDU 4KS measures power consumption (A, kWh, TPF, W, V, Hz) at the individual outlet level and each outlet can be switched ON/OFF remotely. The PowerPDU 4KS also supports local Ping & Power WatchDog and Scheduler functions. PowerPDU 4KS can be rack mounted into server rack cabinets with horizontally, vertically or as a 1U device using an appropriate NETIO bracket.
Each of the power outlets can be controlled from the PowerPDU 4KS web interface, Netio mobile App, or various M2M API protocols including: REST XML/JSON, Modbus/TCP, MQTT, SNMP v3, and Telnet. Each outlet can be automatically switched on/off to a programmed schedule or remotely via the WatchDog function (detects a PING and POWER response). The Digital Input can be used to control the outputs or count S0 pulses (for external power metering).
The Netio Cloud service provides a secure HTTPS connection through which to control the device over the internet. A NETIO Cloud ‘welcome credit’ is provided free of charge for each connected device. NETIO Cloud can be used in parallel with other Open API protocols, provides secure device communication (port 8883, MQTTs and TLS) and has its own Open API, which can be used to control all devices in a specific user account (using the MQTTS protocol). The NETIO Mobile2 App (iOS and Android) can also be used to control each individual output over a local area network (LAN) connection.
AV drivers make it easy to connect NETIO sockets to professional Audio/Video control systems such as Neets, Crestron, Control4 and many more. The PowerPDU 4KS has 1 LAN port (embedded Ethernet switch) for remote connectivity.
PowerPDU 4KS Key Features
- Built-in Ethernet Switch: as the PowerPDU 4KS has an internal Ethernet switch, additional units can be connected (daisy-chain) to connect to a single local area network
- PDU Outlet Control: via the Web or NETIO Mobile2 (iOS or Android) to a timed schedule
- Remote Reboot: for switching each outlet ON/OFF remotely
- Machine-2-Machine (M2M) API: Telnet (Kshell) / SSL, CGI (HTTP GET), SNMP/SNMPv3, XML (HTTP / HTTPS), JSON, SIP and MQTT (MS Azure)
- Enhanced Network Security: using HTTPS protocol to establish a secure connection between the browser and the web server and SNMP v3, and MQTT protocol for IoT cloud applications with TLS security
- Connected Device Monitoring: using the WatchDog function to monitor ping (ICMP) responses and automatically restart devices
Electrical Measurements
Netio PowerPDU 4KS measures electrical parameters for each of the 4 socket outlets and the complete PDU. The measurement values are displayed in the web administration interface and are accessible via Open API protocols. The NETIO PowerPDU 4KS measurement accuracy is within +/- 1%.
Digital Input (DI)
The digital input (DI) can be used to control any of the outputs or count S0 pulses. The DI can be connected to a button (dry contact) or used as a S0 pulse counter for reading energy consumption from an external electricity meter. The DI state and the S0 counter value are shown in the web interface and are accessible over Open API.
- Digital input (DI): 1x input (contact) + S0 counter (4 bytes)
- Power for DI: 12V power
Conditions and Rules
In place of LUA scripts which can be complex to program, PowerPDU comes with a prebuilt blocks to address common PDU applications including:
- PING WatchDog to provide ICMP response detection, and restart if no response is received
- Power Consumption WatchDog for the detection of power consumption of the connected device in the last few minutes, restart when the power drops after switching the device to IDLE (power-safe) mode)
- Response to closing the input DI input (Switch / restart selected outputs)
- Power Consumption Analysis including how many minutes a day an electrical appliance was in a defined power consumption range
- Response to overcurrent consumption
- Response to “negative current” (e.g. from connected solar panels)
- Combination with Scheduler function (actions based on current time / day of the week)
Event Scheduler Function
The Scheduler Function allows the powering ON or OFF of each output to programmed into a weekly day schedule at specific times. This can be a useful features to save energy and periodically reboot connected devices.
- Each output socket has its own schedule
- The scheduler works without an internet connection; a time source (NTP server) is needed such as a local ADSL broadband or WiFi router
- Netio Cloud can also be used to control the outputs when the scheduler is active via a web interface or Open API
IT Network Applications
The Netio PowerPDU 4kS can be used to distribute power within a server room or datacentre server rack. Each of the 4xIEC320 C13 outlets can be monitored and switched on/off and several smart devices can be connected in series. The Smart PowerPDU can also be used to control powerup sequences for the individual sockets to prevent circuit breaker nuisance tripping due to in-rush currents. The unit has an electronic fuse, overvoltage and surge protection.
Power Up State
PowerBox 4KS can be set to power each socket ON/OFF/RESTORE where RESTORE is the position the socket relay was in prior to power disconnection. PowerPDU 4KS can also be set with an ‘Output PowerUp interval’ to delay switching a particular output on. This feature helps to prevent automatic restarts following a power failure and can be useful for sensitive IT and electronic devices.
Zero Current Switching
The PowerBox 4KS features Zero Current Switching (ZCS). This technology controls the exact time when the mechanical relay contacts in the device close or open. The relay contacts switch the device output ON or OFF and ZCS ensures that this happens when the current waveform is at the zero crossing. Over the working life of a product, ZCS helps to reduce internal relay damage and prolong working life. As the relay switches when the current waveform crosses zero, any negative effects of inrush currents are significantly reduced. The use of ZCS also extends the working life of connected loads when there is a need for frequent ON/OFF switching including items using Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) such as audio visual devices, servers and computer loads. The ZCS and PowerUp delay functions also reduce the chance of circuit breakers tripping when power is restored after a power outage.
Integrations and Drivers
Netio have a number of integrations and drivers for third-party products, services and cloud applications:
- Smart home automation
- Intelligent buildings
- Audio visual AV systems
- Server rooms and data centres
- Retail kiosks, signage and lighting
