RakworX Intelligent Rack PDUs: Metered, Monitored, Switched

An intelligent rack PDU is a power distribution unit with built-in intelligence: it monitors power, and depending on the tier, meters usage per outlet or switches outlets on and off remotely. RakworX intelligent PDUs add real-time monitoring, environmental sensors, and network management, so you can track consumption, control power, and get alarms from the rack. They come in vertical zero-U and horizontal form factors.

A monitored PDU reports input-level power and conditions. A metered-by-outlet PDU measures usage at each individual outlet for capacity planning and chargeback. A switched PDU adds remote control to turn individual outlets on, off, or cycle them. RakworX offers all of these tiers, the AP5000 monitored line, AP6000 and AP7000 metered lines, and AP8000 monitored-and-switched line, so you only pay for the intelligence you need.

RakworX intelligent PDUs support plug-and-play smart sensors for temperature, humidity, airflow, vibration, and more, with up to 32 sensor functions per unit. This lets the PDU report the rack's physical environment alongside its power data, so you can catch a cooling or humidity problem early. Comp-Utility configures the sensors that matter for your environment and ties them into your monitoring.

RakworX PDUs use UL489-rated magnetic-hydraulic circuit breakers for branch circuit protection and meet UL/IEC 62368 requirements. User-defined alarms warn of potential overloads before a breaker trips, color-coded branches make uneven loading easy to spot, and anti-unplug locking outlets keep standard plugs from working loose. Together these reduce the risk of nuisance trips and accidental power loss.

The C39 is an advanced hybrid outlet that accepts both C14 and C20 plugs and supports 15- and 20-amp connections in a single receptacle, similar in flexibility to a NEMA 5-20P. That means you can swap equipment with different plug types without reordering a new PDU to match outlet counts. It is a useful feature when your equipment mix changes over time. Comp-Utility specifies the outlet types that fit your gear.

Yes. RakworX intelligent PDUs support interlinked power sharing and Power over Ethernet, so the communication and network module can stay alive on backup power from a linked PDU even if one unit loses input power. Hot-swap communication modules can also be replaced without interrupting power to the loads. This keeps monitoring and management online through maintenance and partial outages.

RakworX PDUs can be cascaded in bridge mode, up to 32 units under a single Ethernet port, or linked in groups of up to 8, which conserves IP addresses and simplifies managing a large fleet. They are accessible over HTTP(S), SSH, SNMP, and Modbus for integration with monitoring and DCIM platforms. Comp-Utility plans the cascading and network scheme for your deployment.

RakworX intelligent PDUs cover the same tiers, monitored, metered, and switched, as APC NetShelter, Eaton ePDU G4, and Vertiv Geist rack PDUs, with per-outlet control, environmental sensing, and network management. Comp-Utility is a long-standing distribution partner of Schneider, Eaton, and Vertiv and also supplies RakworX, so we recommend the PDU that best fits your standards, monitoring platform, and budget rather than pushing a single brand.

Comp-Utility specs, supplies, and installs RakworX intelligent rack PDUs across Central Texas, mounted and integrated in your cabinets with environmental sensors and monitoring. Engineer-owned since 1992, with licensed Texas Professional Engineers and OSHA-trained technicians on staff. Call (512) 346-0999 or email sales@comp-utility.com to request a quote.