Patent ID: 7652862
Filing Date: 2010-01-26
Classification: G06F,H02H

Abstract:
1. A power distribution unit for powering a plurality of servers from a single power input, comprising: a network interface to communicate with a remote terminal; a plurality of switched power outlets adapted and constructed to respectively provide power to corresponding ones of the plurality of servers; power distribution rails coupled to the plurality of switched power outlets; an over-current measurement and qualification circuit, comprising: an OR gate having first and second inputs and a first output, the first OR gate input receiving a indicator signal indicating that the duration determined by the time qualification circuit exceeded a predetermined time amount, the second OR gate input connected to receive a REMOTE OPEN signal through the network interface from the remote terminal; and the first OR gate output outputting an OPEN COMMAND signal when either the indicator signal is received at the first OR gate or the REMOTE OPEN signal is received at the second OR gate; and a control bus carrying a control signal to signal certain ones of the plurality of switched power outlets to disconnect from the single power input, the certain ones being collectively a number related mathematically to an amount by which the generally instantaneous magnitude of current exceeded the magnitude threshold and the duration in which the generally instantaneous magnitude of current exceeded the magnitude threshold exceeded the predetermined time amount; and a register having first and second inputs and a first output, the first register input responding to the OPEN COMMAND signal, the second input register input responding to a RESET signal to reset the register received through the network interface from the remote terminal, and the first register output outputting the control signal.