PDU Metering low power devices and standby state.

[testronic-bert_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 5/21/2013

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Hi,

We are installing a metered by outlet PDU (AP8653) in a test setup.
Our goal was to detect standby states in low power test devices, but it turns out that I can't even tell if the device is on.

I have a device on outlet 1, but the outlet status page says 0 for all 3 columns (state == ON)

The devices use at least 10W when running. When they're in standby mode that goes down to 1W or less.

Is there a possible solution to have a more precise reading?

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 5/21/2013

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Our accuracy information for these PDUs is located in the knowledge base (http://www.apc.com/site/support/index.cfm/faq/) in article ID FA156074

Can you let me know what accuracy readings you are looking for in Amps?

[testronic-bert_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 5/21/2013

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I see the minimal Amps is 0.5A for a reading for it to show.
We would need a minimum of 0.05A to know if the device is on.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 5/21/2013

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Yes, we cannot go that low unfortunately..

[testronic-bert_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 5/21/2013

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That's unfortunate. It makes the 8 PDUs as usefull as the €50 remote accessable powerstrips we have.
They just look more shiny.

I couldn't even see the tv I hooked up to test it!

If a lower reading is less accurate, so be it, but not seeing anything at all renders the PDUs mostly useless.
That info would have been usefull back in October when we ordered them.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 5/21/2013

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We can accommodate maybe a little lower than 0.5A (say 0.3A) on special requests but that is as low as we can go and remain relatively accurate.