Power Distribution Units (PDUs) Pricing and Costs

Finding just the right type of power distribution units (PDUs) to satisfy your budget

Power Distribution Units (PDUs) pricing and costs depend on several factors, including the type of PDU, its capabilities and its brand name. Even for a small business, all the equipment contained within its data center requires at least one power distribution unit for distribution of electric power and for taking high voltage and current and reducing it to more useful levels.

The difficulty in buying from a PDU supplier or provider arises when you consider the trade offs between price and capability. When your budget's tight, you need the most affordable PDU that delivers on the capabilities you're comfortable with, and this guide focuses on the pricing of PDUs in three basic categories:

1. Basic power distribution units.

2. Metered power distribution units.

3. Switched power distribution units.

 

Find the lowest prices when you opt for basic power distribution units

Basic Power distribution units will typically cost the least. Much like a typical office power strip but designed for long service and demanding environments, they combine one power input, a circuit breaker or fuse and multiple power outlets. For the lower price and basic capability, however, you'll sacrifice any ability to manage circuit levels like you'd get with metered and switched power distribution units.
Try: For universal power distribution units, start with the Tripp Lite rackmount PDUNV at Office Depot for under $150. A basic power distribution unit from PDU manufacturers like Tripp Lite will vary greatly from about $125 to just over $400. Electrorack Enclosure Products sells single-phase 120V basic PDUs from about $120 to $250. The 208V PDUs cost between $130 and $260 and a three phase basic PDUs  run between $240 and $660.

Order metered power distribution units for real-time monitoring of the PDU current draw

Metered PDUs cost more because they can display real-time current draw in amps by using digital or analog indicators, thereby eliminating any guesswork in deciding whether a PDU can handle additional devices.
Try: PROVANTAGE carries a great selection of metered PDUs ranging in price from about $60 up to $1,600. The company's website also lets you place products side by side to compare PDU pricing and features. If you're looking for a PDU wholesaler, start with PDUs Direct for metered industrial power distribution units costing roughly $200 to $300.

Invest in switched power distribution units for manageability

Switched PDUs provide users with a level of power management via load metering and by their ability to switch individual or groups of outlets on and off using remote controls or using controls directly on the industrial PDU. These PDUs prove useful to those operating equipment with high surge loads that power up close to the limit of downstream circuit breakers.
Try: Besides companies that specialize in PDUs and other power-related equipment, you can also find switched PDUs through providers of computer equipment and supplies. Dell offers a switched rack PDU for less than $600, and MacConnection switched PDUs cost roughly between $450 and $700 and include free shipping. To save money on switched and other types of PDUs while still getting the capability you need, search for surplus or used power distribution units from websites like Critical Power Exchange.

 

• When you find PDU pricing information from PDU manufacturers, don't assume that's the price you'll ultimately pay. The unit's distributors and resellers may actually determine their own pricing, and that pricing may or may not resemble the MSRP.

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