Abstract: A power regulation scheme includes a first voltage regulation portion connected in parallel with a second voltage regulation portion that regulates a voltage if an open condition occurs within the first voltage regulation portion. Each voltage regulation portion may include a first voltage regulator connected in series with a second voltage regulator that regulates the voltage if a short condition occurs within the first voltage regulator. Each voltage regulation portion may utilize a switching element to route an output voltage of the first voltage regulator past the second voltage regulator if the output voltage has been regulated and/or to force the output voltage to be regulated by the second voltage regulator if the output voltage has not been regulated.

Abstract: A power regulation circuit includes at least a first regulator connected to a second regulator in series forming a first regulator pair and a third regulator connected to a fourth regulator in series forming a second regulator pair. The first regulator pair is connected in parallel with the second regulator pair. Each individual regulator is configured to separately regulate an input voltage to a predetermined regulated output voltage. The second regulator pair regulates the input voltage if a short condition occurs within the first regulator pair and the second and fourth regulators each regulate the input voltage if an open condition occurs within the first or third regulator respectively.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for oversubscribing branch circuits. An active energy management mechanism determines a cumulative wattage rating using power consumption information for a powered element, the power consumption information is for a primary and a redundant portion of the powered element. The active energy management mechanism determines a power reduction power cap to be used by the powered element in the event of a loss of either a primary or a redundant power source supplied to the powered element using the cumulative wattage rating, a branch circuit rating, and a circuit breaker rating for the powered element. The active energy management mechanism sends the power reduction power cap to the powered element in order that the powered element reduces power to the power reduction power cap in the event of the loss of either the primary power source or the redundant power source supplied to the powered element.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying UPS-sub-system interconnections using manual data, UPS identification signals, and variations in UPS voltage variations that produce error signals. Once interconnections have been identified an operating system can check the UPS/sub-system topology to isolate potential errors and/or to enable controlled shut-down of sub-systems in case of potential power failure.

Abstract: A power regulation circuit includes at least a first regulator connected to a second regulator in series forming a first regulator pair and a third regulator connected to a fourth regulator in series forming a second regulator pair. The first regulator pair is connected in parallel with the second regulator pair. Each individual regulator is configured to separately regulate an input voltage to a predetermined regulated output voltage. The second regulator pair regulates the input voltage if a short condition occurs within the first regulator pair and the second and fourth regulators each regulate the input voltage if an open condition occurs within the first or third regulator respectively.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining a physical location of one or more units in a rack, including: using one or more physical cables between rack units; cascading a first signal through the one or more units located in the rack, the first signal being encoded with a unit number and a physical parameter; and creating a rack ID by utilizing hardware parameters, the hardware parameters being determined by: detecting a second signal that exists from a bottom unit, the bottom unit located at the bottom of the rack; and using a third signal to send data between the one or more units in the rack by manipulating void spaces within the rack, the third signal being either cabled or an optical signal.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying UPS-sub-system interconnections using manual data, UPS identification signals, and variations in UPS voltage variations that produce error signals. Once interconnections have been identified an operating system can check the UPS/sub-system topology to isolate potential errors and/or to enable controlled shut-down of sub-systems in case of potential power failure.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining a physical location of one or more units in a rack, including: using one or more physical cables between rack units; cascading a first signal through the one or more units located in the rack, the first signal being encoded with a unit number and a physical parameter; and creating a rack ID by utilizing hardware parameters, the hardware parameters being determined by: detecting a second signal that exists from a bottom unit, the bottom unit located at the bottom of the rack; and using a third signal to send data between the one or more units in the rack by manipulating void spaces within the rack, the third signal being either cabled or an optical signal.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying UPS-sub-system interconnections using manual data, UPS identification signals, and variations in UPS voltage variations that produce error signals. Once interconnections have been identified an operating system can check the UPS/sub-system topology to isolate potential errors and/or to enable controlled shut-down of sub-systems in case of potential power failure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses that automatically determine the capabilities of UPS devices. Systems automatically determine whether a UPS device is capable of protecting system resources by comparing the UPS capabilities against system requirements. Such systems can use that determination to approximate how long a UPS device can reliably supply power. Systems having multiple UPS devices can be implemented such that the connections of the UPS devices to system resources are automatically determined, the load on each UPS device can be found, the capabilities of the UPS devices can be obtained, a comparison between UPS load and UPS capabilities can made, and a warning of problems can be sent. Using UPS capability and load information a system can provide for a controlled shutdown of system resources.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying UPS-sub-system interconnections using manual data, UPS identification signals, and variations in UPS voltage variations that produce error signals. Once interconnections have been identified an operating system can check the UPS/sub-system topology to isolate potential errors and/or to enable controlled shut-down of sub-systems in case of potential power failure.

Abstract: A power system includes a battery back-up unit (BBU) having back-up battery circuitry which provides battery back-up support for a plurality of power supplies each having a respective power factor correction circuit front-end with a boost stage. The voltages output from the boost stages of the power supplies are monitored and compared with respective reference threshold voltages to derive a signal which is used to bring battery back-up power on-line when a monitored voltage falls below a threshold voltage, which may be indicative of a loss of AC mains input voltage. AC mains input voltage is also monitored to detect a restoration and disconnect the battery back-up power. In the event that battery back-up is brought on-line due to a faulty power supply rather than a loss of AC mains input voltage, the faulty power supply can be masked and reported for repair.

Abstract: A method of operating a redundant power supply is disclosed wherein two or more converters are separately connected to a common output node through separate diodes to isolate the converters and allow the outputs to be separately tested for diagnostic purposes. The diodes are selectively bypassed by connecting drain-to-source paths of P-channel MOS field-effect transistors separately across the diodes. During the diagnostic mode of operation, a controller shuts off the MOS transistors, so the diodes are effective in isolating the converters. During the bypass mode of operation, the transistors are turned on by the controller so the diodes are bypassed and their forward voltage drop does not appear in the circuit and so power dissipation is reduced. It is noted that the P-channel MOS transistor is connected such that it's intrinsic PN-junction diode conducts in a forward direction in parallel with the isolation diode, so that isolation during the diagnostic mode is not cancelled.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a plurality of units, wherein the data processing system requires a selected capacity provided by a number of units. The units are dynamically polled to determine a capacity of the plurality of units. The requirement of the data processing system for the output of the redundant units is also dynamically determined. An indication that a condition exists in which at least one of the units should be replaced is generated only if the requirement of the data processing system is greater than the capacity of the units after the next failure of a unit, wherein replacement of a unit is not required unless the hardware or data processing system demand, as currently configured, exceeds the capacity of the units after the next failure of a unit.