APC PDU without a UPS?

twhittle1_apc · ‎2021-07-09

Hi,

This is probably such a basic question but I'm very new to power and Backup.

is it possible to use a PDU without a UPS? I.E. Plugged straight into the mains?

I'm interested in using the features of a metered UPS (outlet power up down, load monitoring etc) but don't need battery backup.

Can I literally get a C20 -> Mains cable can plug the PDU directly into the mains or does the PDU require a UPS in order to function?

Thanks,

Tom

robmir_apc · ‎2021-07-10

Sometimes you find a solution to a problem with a unconventional approach !!!!

In our neighborhood the 3 phase power wires powering the stepdown transformer which feed our building are aerial with a very close tree branch and quite often we have serious problems with squirrels jumping on the wires, unfortunately they die when touching two of the wires forcing any of the 3 protective fuses to blow and leaving us with any of the three phases down. It could take several hours before the power company came to replace the blown fuse so I installed a ATS / metered PDU ( on my case a UPS and some other critical devices are plugged on it but this is only an example ) and hooked the primary ATS / PDU input to one phase AC input and the secondary input plugged to another phase. With this solution we have always power feeding this ATS / metered PDU no matter which phase is down until the power company fix it. And of course if I am out of the house I receive a message notification about the problem of the phase down.

See Answer In Context

BillP · ‎2021-07-09

Hi Thomas,

A PDU can be used as a stand-alone device. It does not need a UPS to function. As long as the power requirements are met, then it should work. A UPS is typically recommended to clean incoming power or to avoid possible surges passing to your loads, as a PDU does not have surge protection.

You may check the PDU selector here: http://www.apc.com/us/en/tools/selector/pdu/index.cfm?ISOCountryCode=us

twhittle1_apc · ‎2021-07-09

Brilliant thanks Mike, I'd not considered surges, although the facility is using a central "big" UPS so this is probably catered for there.

Kind Regards,

Tom

robmir_apc · ‎2021-07-10

Sometimes you find a solution to a problem with a unconventional approach !!!!

In our neighborhood the 3 phase power wires powering the stepdown transformer which feed our building are aerial with a very close tree branch and quite often we have serious problems with squirrels jumping on the wires, unfortunately they die when touching two of the wires forcing any of the 3 protective fuses to blow and leaving us with any of the three phases down. It could take several hours before the power company came to replace the blown fuse so I installed a ATS / metered PDU ( on my case a UPS and some other critical devices are plugged on it but this is only an example ) and hooked the primary ATS / PDU input to one phase AC input and the secondary input plugged to another phase. With this solution we have always power feeding this ATS / metered PDU no matter which phase is down until the power company fix it. And of course if I am out of the house I receive a message notification about the problem of the phase down.