Abstract: In a piece of equipment deriving power from a three-phase power supply, a method and a connector provide a country-independent arrangement of connection pins to interface with the equipment, so as to provide one or more single-phase output voltages at designated pins. The connector includes a number of electrical terminals wired to the connection pins according to a country-dependent arrangement. In one embodiment, the connector includes one or more jumpers each configured to provide a short circuit between a designated pair of connection pins according to the country-dependent arrangement scheme. The country-independent arrangement provides a single-phase output voltage between 200-240 volts (RMS) across a designated pair of connection pins. In one application, a connector configured for the United States is used in conjunction with a 4-conductor cable having a U.S. conforming connector for plugging into a U.S. three-phase specification wall socket (e.g., NEMA).

Abstract: In a piece of equipment deriving power from a three-phase power supply, a method and a connector provide a country-independent arrangement of connection pins to interface with the equipment, so as to provide one or more single-phase output voltages at designated pins. The connector includes a number of electrical terminals wired to the connection pins according to a country-dependent arrangement. In one embodiment, the connector includes one or more jumpers each configured to provide a short circuit between a designated pair of connection pins according to the country-dependent arrangement scheme. The country-independent arrangement provides a single-phase output voltage between 200-240 volts (RMS) across a designated pair of connection pins. In one application, a connector configured for the United States is used in conjunction with a 4-conductor cable having a U.S. conforming connector for plugging into a U.S. three-phase specification wall socket (e.g., NEMA).

Abstract: An AC sequencer receives source AC voltage via a sequencer-mounted universally accepted connector, such as an IEC 309 compatible connector. Source AC is coupled by an AC connector plug and AC power cord from a wall socket to the AC sequencer via a mating connector. Although specifications for the AC power cord and AC connector will vary from country to country, the same AC sequencer may be used in many countries. Further, the AC sequencer receives control and status signals via sequencer-mounted universally accepted connectors, and can respond to signals that may be voltage-sourced, current-sourced, in addition to signals representing switch openings and closures. This permits a master server AC sequencer to be intelligently daisy-chained to remote slave units containing a similar AC sequencer, such that status information may be received from and control signals sent to the slave unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a power sequencer/controller system are disclosed. In a typical operation, an AC power sequencer/controller of the present invention senses the current through a first outlet connected to a first load, and when the current through the first outlet exceeds a first threshold voltage, indicating that the first load is turned on, the AC power sequencer/controller provides power to a second outlet so that a second load connected to the second outlet can be turned on.

Abstract: A redundant blower unit is installed in a rack above another unit containing heat-emitting electrical elements (such as CPU cards) in order to draw air through the underlying unit and out to atmosphere. Four blowers in the blower unit draw air from a plenum, each blower discharging into an individual exhaust duct leading to the exterior. Two blowers are positioned at a first tier relative to the bottom of the plenum and the other two at a second tier higher than the first tier. If one blower fails, its exhaust duct may malfunction as an air inlet, in which case the incoming air is mixed with exhaust air and discharged through the other blower in the same tier as the failed blower. Thus the efficiency of the two blowers in the other tier is not impeded.

Abstract: A full wave rectification circuit for use with a three-phase input signal connected in a wye configuration for rectifying a line to neutral high input voltage is disclosed. The rectification circuit has two portions. A first portion generates a control signal which oscillates every 60.degree. and is switched in phase with one of the input signals. A second control signal, also oscillating in 60.degree., but completely out of phase with respect to the first oscillating signal is also generated. The two oscillating signals are used in a SCR switch configuration to switch the rectification circuit every 60.degree. thereby rectifying the peak voltage portion of each phase.

Abstract: An AC sequencer receives source AC voltage via a sequence-mounted universally accepted connector, such as an IEC 309 compatible connector. Source AC is coupled by an AC connector plug and AC power cord from a wall socket to the AC sequencer via a mating connector. Although specifications for the AC power cord and AC connector will vary from country to country, the same AC sequencer may be used in many countries. Further, the AC sequencer receives control and status signals via sequencer-mounted universally accepted connectors, and can respond to signals that may be voltage-sourced, current-sourced, in addition to signals representing switch openings and closures. This permits a master server AC sequencer to be intelligently daisy-chained to remote slave units containing a similar AC sequencer, such that status information may be received from and control signals sent to the slave unit.