DE102009027128A1 - Distribution device for distributing electricity to data processing system i.e. personal computer, has measuring unit for measuring electrical power, and interfaces provided with power meter connected with server for data communication - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a web server (6), and a measuring unit for measuring electrical power, where the web server switches interfaces (2). Each interface is provided with a power meter (3) that is connected with the web server for data communication, where the interfaces are provided in a power module. A control and display unit and the power module are physically separated from each other. The power meter is connected with an electronic unit, and the display unit has a data connection and a lamp or LED as a supply voltage control display.

Description

The The present invention relates to a device for distributing electrical Energy to a variable number of consumers, in particular a distribution device for electrical energy within a data processing system.

Out The prior art includes various types of distribution devices electrical energy to one by a user even without tools certainly changeable number of consumers or customers known, in particular in the form of so-called. Plug strips or socket strips with a flexible connection cable. From the household sector are Such power strips with z. B. three female slots and a lighted on / off switch widely used. To this Power strips can flexibly zero to three electrical Consumers are connected. For the so-called domestic Office or home office are now also power strip offered with a protection against mains overvoltage. Furthermore, socket strips are known in which subordinate slots on an excellent slot for a master-slave scheme are switchable. One area of application is energy saving at PC workplaces, by assigning the excellent slot to a PC and all other equipment from the monitor via Scanner, printer or desk lighting at the subordinate slots be connected.

Out the particularly safety-relevant area of a flexible power distribution within data processing facilities are beyond Power strip known per plug connector with a fixed Number of slots a central measuring device for power recording exhibit. A respective state can then ever embodiment a plug connector read this or recorded in any other form. While coming from the home and home office area known power strips only up to a specified power limit are also permanently reliable and thus in the course of thermal overload often the trigger for apartment fires are the above-mentioned connector strips to this effect smarter Solutions as they monitor a maximum limit of electrical power or their exceeding can also report.

Further are in this area also power strip with on / off switch known. On some models can also external Sensors are connected, z. For measuring temperature and / or Humidity or Humidity.

A Another known device of the type mentioned is one via Ethernet or Web addressable and password-protected power strip for use in intranet applications. This device also finds in larger and limited access Networks use. Their development is based on the knowledge that servers, switches, routers, etc. experience shows and crash again, and then to remedy, of course no sophisticated management tool or other software can help more. There must be someone in this case the power switch Act physically on site. This is not just annoying, it can be used in widely ramified networks with high expenditure of time and money connected or even impossible. This is especially true for systems whose operation and maintenance in the course of so-called. Outsourcing measures have been relocated. This already often encountered constellation has the consequence that at a particular location of an affected system - especially at night - no person is available Has access to the server rooms or for a quick Intervention could be notified. It is therefore one Power strip with four IEC sockets, Ethernet connection and own web server. The integrated web server can be accessed externally via an IP address via browser speak to. The power can be switched off and on again at any time made from any location very fast, convenient and recordable become.

has the user, for example, as an outsourcing customer only via the password for a particular outlet to be on Device is connected, so for him only this a socket visible and operable via the browser. He can then - for example, if he is connecting Router must restart - via button an auto-restart function Enable and thus cause only this one outlet the power strip turns off the attached device and automatically z. B. after a minute again by switching boots up.

The well-known power strip is with a serial interface after the V.24 standard for a configuration place via a PC provided. After this configuration, the known power strip is connected via a common so-called patch cable to the Ethernet and is ready for use immediately. From a TCP / IP-enabled computer equipped with a standard browser, the facility may run and also an intervention will be made. A particular hardware platform or operating system of the computer system is unimportant for the operation and operation of this known device due to the decoupling by the TCP / IP connection.

It It is the object of the present invention to provide a robust and reliable Further development of a device of the type mentioned under Extension of their functionality and improved control to create the distribution of electrical energy.

These Object is according to the invention in a device for distributing electrical energy to a variable one Number of consumers via interfaces, with the Device has its own web server and a means of measurement includes the electrical power and the interfaces over the web server are switchable, solved by that each Interface or socket has an associated power meter, which is connected to the web server for data transmission.

In order to For the first time, the technical possibility has been created not just turning on or off every single interface or socket, but also to receive detailed information and based on z. B. exercise an electrical power control. Thus, it is now based on measured parameters, such as individual instantaneous electrical power consumption and other measurement states, possible, to a functional state of a at a certain Interface to close connected devices. Based on such information, in embodiments below also described possibilities, complex functional sequences to run automatically.

following the invention will be described with reference to embodiments Based on illustrations of the drawing to show other features and advantages explained in more detail. In the drawing demonstrate:

1 : a schematic representation of a device according to the present invention;

2a and 2 B FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of front and back sides of a first embodiment with five free slots for installation in a standardized 19 "cabinet;

3a and 3b a schematic representation of the front and back of another embodiment with five free slots and expansion options using existing data communication and display means;

4a and 4b : A schematic representation of the front and back of another embodiment with six free slots and expansion options using existing data communication and display means.

about the different illustrations of the drawing are used for same elements always the same names and reference numerals used.

The picture of 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 1 according to the present invention, which is connected via a manner not shown to a single-phase power supply, which is indicated by phase L and neutral conductor N. In addition to a permanent installation is also a connection of the device 1 via a so-called. Cold device plug connection possible and placed at the discretion of a respective electrician under consideration of the electrical requirements of the case. Regularly, however, a cold device plug connection will be provided at this point.

The device 1 in itself comprises a number of each interfaces 2 or sockets. Here is each of these sockets 2 its own power meter 3 assigned, in turn, for data transmission via a data connection 4 with an electronics unit 5 Assigning a fixed address to the web server 6 connected is. The electronics unit 5 also has the task, the addressable outlet 2 via a relay 7 or to turn a circuit breaker on or off for internal or external request.

At the web server 6 run data connections 4 according to the number of each in the device 1 provided number of sockets 2 one. In the web server 6 an implementation of measurement results and other information of the electronic units 5 the individual sockets 2 together with an address of a respective socket 2 and through a data connection 8th a handover to a LAN structure, the web server 6 also connected to the internet.

2a and 2 B showed a schematic representation of front and back of a first embodiment of a device 1 with five free slots 2 for installation in a standardized 19 '' cabinet. The device 1 is here logically divided into a control and display part K and in the strip-shaped continuation of a power module M. The control part K includes beside control lights 10 as occupancy or status indicators for each of the sockets 2 , a data connection 11 for initial configuration of the device 1 , a connection 12 for the web server 6 in the form of an RF45 plug connection, a lamp 13 or LED as mains voltage indicator and a reset button 14 , The outer LED status indicator is for orientation directly in front of one with the device 1 equipped cabinet.

The power module M comprises in the present embodiment, five sockets 2 as power delivery points and a power outlet 9 as a supply of the total required electrical energy. The delivery points 2 are designed as female cans, the feeder 9 as a male plug contact.

• • Temperaturfühler oder Platin-Temperatursensor
• • Humiditäts- bzw. Feuchtefühler
• • Rauchmelder
• • Wassermelder
• • Türkontakt
• • Türöffner

On the back of the device 1 On the control part K further connections are provided. Here are in separate blocks digital connections 15 and analog connections 16 arranged. As freely connectable accessories are provided for the device here:

• • Temperature sensor or platinum temperature sensor
• • Humidity or humidity sensor
• • Smoke detector
• • Water detector
• • door contact
• • Door opener

In the form of this 19 "power strip, in one embodiment, the device enables the switching, measurement and control of five consumers via LAN and the Internet. The measuring data voltage, current and power of each individual box are measured and can be used to control the individual outputs. Likewise, the power strip is also suitable for restarting servers and network devices. The simple network management protocol used, SNMP for short, offers an exposed interface for further variations. The protocol provides targeted insights into each SNMP-enabled component and also provides instructions if needed. As a network element, the device 1 be monitored and controlled from a central station. Thanks to an energy-saving shutdown, in addition to restarts and safety shutdowns in the event of defects, it is also possible to take initial steps towards green IT management in a simple manner.

Through the power measurement in the power meter 3 can at any power outlet 2 In addition to current I and voltage U and power P, active, apparent and reactive power are also measured and evaluated in the connected electronics. The respective parameters may be linked by way of example with one or more of the following operations:

In addition, the power strip in the present form has two PT100 temperature terminals, not further detailed, as inputs for a 100 ohm PTC resistor thermometer, two analog inputs and four digital inputs. Door contacts, fire detectors, water detectors, humidity sensors, etc. can be connected here. About the digital output can z. B. a door opener can be controlled. The above-exemplified parameters can independently of each other, the control of the individual outputs and individual, time-staggered and / or combined information and / or Kon assume troll functions. Staggered reactions can z. B. look for increasing temperature at subsequent increasing current flow so that only a temperature information is sent to a user and then with increasing current flow a concrete indication of a possible malfunction of a connected device with subsequent automatic testing of the functionality of this device in the form of a Pop-up window is sent.

The device 1 is via web server 6 integrated into the network environment. Advantageously, a commercially available XPort web server manufacturer Lantronics is used here. The IP address of the device 1 can be permanently assigned or obtained dynamically via a DHCP server.

• • Eindringen von Feuer und Wasser
• • Einbruch
• • Schalten
• • Abschalten bei kritischen Leistungsaufnahmen

mit definierbarer Zeitverzögerung. Auf Grund der frei definierbaren Schwellwerte kann eine Meldung an eine frei zu vergebende E-Mail Adresse verschickt oder ein Pop-up Fenster bei einem entfernt befindlichen Anwender aufgerufen werden.The device reports due to deviations

• • Ingress of fire and water
• • Burglary
• • Switch
• • Switch off at critical power consumption

with definable time delay. Due to the freely definable threshold values, a message can be sent to a freely assignable e-mail address or a pop-up window can be called up at a remote user.

The Switching states of the cans remain after a power failure received and are in a user-defined order and intervals again. A programming and switching state is maintained in case of power failure, causing a loss of data is avoided. Furthermore, a complete reporting through an electronic monitoring protocol ensured.

present Only initial configuration is done via the serial interface. All other settings can be comfortably over every popular web browser.

On two narrow sides of the device 1 are in the 2a . 2 B installation angle 17 indicated. The height of the illustrated device 1 corresponds to only one height unit, in the data technology regularly denoted by the abbreviation HE. 1 HE equals 1.75 inches or about 4.45 inches.

Not shown in these views is the small depth of the device 1 , As a result, installation is also possible on known raster rails on a rear side of a standard server cabinet, which is generally open and accessible for better ventilation and heat dissipation. Known cabinets are deeper than bays with servers or disk packs, allowing a device 1 Without stress even a separate height unit, under maximum space utilization can be installed exactly where the power supply cable to supply the data processing equipment or its components are arranged with electrical energy.

3a and 3b represents analogous to the 2a and 2 B schematizes the front and back sides of another embodiment with five free slots 2 This structural unit can now be extended or extended by means of an expansion possibility about a mechanically and electrically connectable module M using already existing data communication and display means of the control part K.

Another alternative embodiment of the in the 2a and 2 B sketched basic form of a device 1 is in the pictures of 4a and 4b schematized shown with front and back in a modular design. Here are in a now physically separated as a unit from the contact part K constructed module M six free slots 2 intended. This arrangement also offers an expansion option using the already existing data communication and display means of the control part K by electrically contacting plugging, screwing and / or snapping one or more other slot modules M to the control part K as a base module. Such a basic element M is connected to a base module or control part K, wherein the control part substantially corresponds to that of 3a . 3b equivalent. It is in the pictures of the 4a and 4b the connection 9 as a cable connection indicated, but can also on a free outer surface of the base module or control part K as a plug 2 B be executed in order to allow an application of conventional flexible IEC connection cables. Under principle retention of the known from the previously described embodiments ago length is thereby created but in the module M space for six slots. The basic idea of operation and assembly or wiring from one side can also be seen in the illustrations of the 4a and 4b be maintained as far as possible.

The six-slot layout described above 2 in a module M is very advantageous because in modules with 3 to 5 HE server modules with usually three power supplies and a power consumption of 1.8 kW are common on the market. With a device 1 according to 4a This allows the six power supplies to be powered by two servers in one cabinet, leaving a common limit amperage of 16 A in the device 1 would not be exceeded in the long run.

The device 1 is then in the manner indicated by another basic element M by additional slots in predetermined increments expandable. The control part K is in the manner indicated z. B. in terms of the number of control lights 10 and with reference to 1 Prepared connections to the web server prepared accordingly and expanded as a base element. This can also be an extended beyond the 19 '' - measure device 1 are formed, which then z. B. is mounted parallel to a breadboard on a rear wall of a server cabinet or in a side wall, then also with minimal space requirements and a height of 0 U and good accessibility even more fully monitored sockets 2 to make available. This is a modular device 1 has been described, in addition to a centralized supply and monitoring of a larger number of smaller consumers and flexible to standard cabinet sizes of 22, 36 and 42 HE is customizable.

• • als Serverschranküberwachung z. B. Informationsterminals, Bankautomaten, VoIP-Anlagen, ...)
• • zum Arbeitsplatzmanagement z. B. Kostenkontrolle des Arbeitsplatzes, Abschaltung von Labor-Equipment, ...)
• • als Produktionskontrolle z. B. Serienstandüberwachung, Systemtest, Automatisierung, ...)

Its fields of use have the device described above in several embodiments 1 include:

• • as server cabinet monitoring z. B. Information terminals, ATMs, VoIP systems, ...)
• • for workplace management z. As cost control of the workplace, shutdown of laboratory equipment, ...)
• • as production control z. Series monitoring, system test, automation, ...)

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

interface

2a

IEC socket (Female)

2 B

IEC socket (male)

3

power meter

4

Data Connection

5

electronics

6

Web Server

7

Relay / breaker

8th

Data Connection from the web server to the LAN

9

feed electrical energy

10

Control lights / occupancy or activity indicator

11

Data port for initial configuration of the device 1

12

LAN port

13

Lamp / LED as mains voltage indicator

14

Reset button

15

Digital connections

16

analog connections

17

installation angle

18

P

electrical power

L

phase

N

Neutral

K

inspection and advertising part

M

power module

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• V.24 standard [0007]

Claims (6)

Device for distributing electrical energy via interfaces to a variable number of consumers, in particular a distribution device for electrical energy within a data processing system, the device comprising its own web server and means for measuring the electrical power and the interfaces via the web server switchable, characterized in that in the device ( 1 ) each interface ( 2 ) or socket an associated power meter ( 3 ), which is used for data transmission with the web server ( 6 ) connected is. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device ( 1 ) is divided into a control and display part (K) and a power module (M). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that that the power module (M) and the control and display part (K) are constructed as physically separate modules. Device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the power module (M) with a number of five or six sockets ( 2 ) is designed as a strip-shaped continuation of the control and display part (K). Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the power module (M) as mechanical and electrically connectable expansion option below Use of already existing data communication and display means of the control part (K) is formed. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the control part (K) as a base module of the device ( 1 ) with a connection ( 9 ) is provided to the mains.

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