Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a power distribution unit having modular components. For example, according to one embodiment, a power distribution unit can include a component portion that comprises at least two modules selected from the group consisting of outlet modules, circuit protection modules, power input modules, communications I/O modules, and display modules. Each of the at least two modules of the component portion can comprise at least one connection element and can be removably secured to one or more other of the at least two modules via the connection elements. The power distribution unit can also include a housing that defines an interior cavity. The component portion can be removably secured to the housing at least partially within the interior cavity.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a circuit breaking link status and reporting system. The system includes a power source and a circuit breaking link in communication therewith. An electrical outlet is in interruptible power supply communication with the circuit breaking link. A sensor is in interruptible electrical communication with the circuit breaking link and configured to generate a signal indicating whether the circuit breaking link is open. A local processor communicates with the sensor and is configured to determine whether the circuit is open. A communications bus is in communication with the local processor and configured to receive signals from the local processor. A processor is in communication with the local processor through the communications bus and configured to receive information regarding the status of the circuit breaking link. A communications port is in communication with the processor and configured to send information regarding the status of the circuit breaking link over a network.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a fuse module for fused electrical devices. According to one exemplary embodiment, a fuse module is mounted to the housing of a fused electrical device. The fused electrical device can include at least one power output displaced along the power distribution housing with the at least one power output electrically couplable to at least one power input. The fuse module can be electrically coupled to the at least one power input and electrically couplable to the at least one power outputs. Further, the fuse module can comprise at least one fuse holder that is movable between a first position in which a fuse held by the fuse holder is electrically couplable to the at least one power output and a second position in which a fuse held by the fuse holder not electrically couplable to the at least one power output and is exposed to allow access to the fuse.

Abstract: A polyphase power distribution and monitoring apparatus having sets of outputs for each phase of power and monitors for each phase of power disposed in the housing. Each monitor provides a visible display of current for an associated phase of power and an audible alarm for each phase of power if the current exceeds a predetermined value or falls below a predetermined value. In three-phase wye power systems, the apparatus preferaby includes a neutral line monitor, including a neutral line current display and audio alarm, for the neutral line of the wye power circuit. The apparatus preferably is lightweight, elongated, portable, and mountable to the side of an electronic equipment rack. It may also include additional power monitoring systems such as network power monitoring tools for remotely monitoring the apparatus.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a circuit breaking link status and reporting system. The system includes a power source and a circuit breaking link in communication therewith. An electrical outlet is in interruptible power supply communication with the circuit breaking link. A sensor is in interruptible electrical communication with the circuit breaking link and configured to generate a signal indicating whether the circuit breaking link is open. A local processor communicates with the sensor and is configured to determine whether the circuit is open. A communications bus is in communication with the local processor and configured to receive signals from the local processor. A processor is in communication with the local processor through the communications bus and configured to receive information regarding the status of the circuit breaking link. A communications port is in communication with the processor and configured to send information regarding the status of the circuit breaking link over a network.

Abstract: A polyphase power distribution and monitoring apparatus having sets of outputs for each phase of power and monitors for each phase of power disposed in the housing. Each monitor provides a visible display of current for an associated phase of power and an audible alarm for each phase of power if the current exceeds a predetermined value or falls below a predetermined value. In three-phase wye power systems, the apparatus preferably includes a neutral line monitor, including a neutral line current display and audio alarm, for the neutral line of the wye power circuit. The apparatus preferably is lightweight, elongated, portable, and mountable to the side of an electronic equipment rack. It may also include additional power monitoring systems such as network power monitoring tools for remotely monitoring the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of an underwater device includes placement of a plurality of station keeping devices on or below the surface of the water in known positions. A device to locate is provided for placement below the surface of the water, and the device to locate and the station keeping devices are provided with a synchronized time base and a common acoustic pulse time schedule. Each station keeping device sends an acoustic pulse at a time according to the common acoustic pulse schedule. The device to locate receives pulses sent by the station keeping devices and calculates a distance between itself and each station keeping device based upon the time that the acoustic pulse is sent and the time that the pulse is received. The device to locate then calculates its position based upon the distances between the device to locate and the station keeping devices. Systems and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a power distribution apparatus that is adaptable to be readily mounted within a variety of differing types of electronic equipment racks are herein described. One such embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having an upper mounting adapter. The upper mounting adapter may be attachable to a housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed therein. Another embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having a lower mounting adapter. The lower mounting adapter may be attachable to the housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed in the housing. A further embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having at least one mounting peg mounting in mating holes formed in a rack. The mounting pegs may be attachable to a housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed therein.

Abstract: A power distribution unit is provided that may be used to distribute power to a plurality of electronic devices. The power distribution unit may have one or more outlet gangs with integral components providing a plurality of individual power outlets. Each outlet gang may be associated with one or more power rails which deliver power to each power outlet. A connector may be located on each power rail. The power distribution unit may include a connector board for connection to two or more electronic components, such as outlet gangs. Fuse access windows may be provided to provide access to a fuse holder. The power distribution unit may have a housing having a mounting channel formed therein, which may allow the power distribution unit to be mounted in relatively to a rack having a protrusion which may be received by the mounting channel.

Abstract: An active arc suppression circuit and systems and methods of use to suppress arcing in an electro-mechanical apparatus. The preferred circuit includes an electro-mechanical switch and a solid state shunt switch for temporarily shunting current around the electro-mechanical switch for a predetermined period of time. The preferred circuit also includes an electro-mechanical switch controller for delaying the activation of the electro-mechanical switch until after the predetermined period of time for shunting current through the solid state shunt switch has commenced. The preferred circuit may be used with power control equipment and systems, including in remotely controllable systems for telecommunications, computing, and other networks. In a particularly preferred embodiment, multiple such circuits may be disposed in a power controller housing to provide independent active arc suppression control of multiple power outputs also disposed in the power controller housing.

Abstract: Embodiments of a power distribution apparatus that is adaptable to be readily mounted within a variety of differing types of electronic equipment racks are herein described. One such embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having an upper mounting adapter. The upper mounting adapter may be attachable to a housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed therein. Another embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having a lower mounting adapter. The lower mounting adapter may be attachable to the housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed in the housing. A further embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having at least one mounting peg mounting in mating holes formed in a rack. The mounting pegs may be attachable to a housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed therein.

Abstract: A vertical-mount network remote power management outlet strip embodiment of the present invention comprises a long, thin outlet strip body with several independently controllable power outlet sockets distributed along its length. A power input cord is provided at one end, and this supplies AC-operating power to relays associated with each of the power outlet sockets. The relays are each addressably controlled by a microprocessor connected to an internal I2C-bus serial communications channel. The power-on status of each relay output to the power outlet sockets is sensed and communicated back on the internal I2C-bus. A device-networking communications processor with an embedded operating system translates messages, status, and controls between the internal I2C-bus and an Ethernet port, and other external networks.

Abstract: An SNMP network comprises a power manager with an SNMP agent in TCP/IP communication over a network with an SNMP network manager. The power manager is connected to control several intelligent power modules each able to independently control the power on/off status of several network appliances. Power-on and load sensors within each intelligent power module are able to report the power status of each network appliance to the SNMP network manager with MIB variables in response to GET commands. Each intelligent power module is equipped with an output that is connected to cause an interrupt signal to the network appliance being controlled. The SNMP network manager is able to test which network appliance is actually responding before any cycling of the power to the corresponding appliance is tried.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus has an elongated housing with fuses located therein. Windows are provided in the housing to close apertures in registration with fuse locations to allow access to fuses by removing the window. Fuses may be carried on a circuit card removably engageable with a terminal block secured to a wall within the housing. A fuse compartment cover is removably secured to the housing. The window comprises a fuse condition indicator to allow determination of the condition of the fuse (i.e. blown or not blown) without having to open the window. Additionally, powered indicators such as LEDs visible through the windows may indicate the state of fuses. The housing may comprise a power distribution unit and may be rack mounted or mounted to a wall of a rack assembly. The windows are located on the housing to be removable free of engagement with the assembly.

Abstract: A vertical-mount electrical power distribution plugstrip comprises a long, thin plugstrip body with several power outlet plugs distributed along the length of one face. A power input cord is provided at one end, and this supplies operating power to each of the power outlet plugs through individual relay control.

Abstract: An SNMP network comprises a power manager with an SNMP agent in TCP/IP communication over a network with an SNMP network manager. The power manager is connected to control several intelligent power modules each able to independently control the power on/off status of several network appliances. Power-on and load sensors within each intelligent power module are able to report the power status of each network appliance to the SNMP network manager with MIB variables in response to GET commands. Each intelligent power module is equipped with an output that is connected to cause an interrupt signal to the network appliance being controlled. The SNMP network manager is able to test which network appliance is actually responding before any cycling of the power to the corresponding appliance is tried.

Abstract: An SNMP network comprises a power manager with an SNMP agent in TCP/IP communication over a network with an SNMP network manager. The power manager is connected to control several intelligent power modules each able to independently control the power on/off status of several network appliances. Power-on and load sensors within each intelligent power module are able to report the power status of each network appliance to the SNMP network manager with MIB variables in response to GET commands. Each intelligent power module-is equipped with an output that is connected to cause an interrupt signal to the network appliance being controlled. The SNMP network manager is able to test which network appliance is actually responding before any cycling of the power to the corresponding appliance is tried.

Abstract: A DC arc-suppressor for network appliance power managers comprises an electromechanical relay that controls the flow of battery power to a network appliance by remote control. The relay includes electrical contacts that open to interrupt the flow of current in response to an off-command signal. A transistor is connected in shunt across the relay contacts to temporarily divert such flow of current. A timing circuit is connected to respond to the off-command signal by first turning on the shunt transistor, then open the relay contacts, then turn off the shunt transistor. Such shunt transistor is sized to carry the full rated power of the relay contacts, but only for the few milliseconds that are needed to allow the relay contacts to fully separate.

Abstract: An SNMP network comprises a power manager with an SNNP agent in TCP/IP communication over a network with an SNMP network manager. The power manager is connected to control several intelligent power modules each able to independently control the power-on/off status of several network appliances. Power-on and load sensors within each intelligent power module are able to report the power status of each network appliance to the SNMP network manager with MIB variables in response to GET commands. Each intelligent power module is equipped with an output that is connected to cause an interrupt signal to the network appliance being controlled. The SNMP network manager is able to test which network appliance is actually responding before any cycling of the power to the corresponding appliance is tried.

Abstract: A battery-power distribution unit comprises two printed circuit assembly bus units that carry eight pairs of ± screw terminal connections and their associated GMT-type fuses. Each A-side and B-side bus unit needs only one pair of heavy cables that feed it power inside a RETMA-rack cabinet. Heavy-duty foil buses etched on the printed circuit boards on both sides are reinforced with tinned copper flat bar to increase the current carrying capacity.