Revenue-Grade Data Center Power Monitoring

Universal Electric Corp. is enhancing the ability to monitor and manage power consumption in data centers with the introduction of its latest innovation, the Critical Power Monitor (CPM). The STARLINE CPM is a revenue-grade power monitoring device that effectively monitors power usage and distribution in the data center environment, enabling organizations to maximize energy management and efficiency. Designed so that it can be fully integrated into both end feed and plug-in unit applications of STARLINE Track Busway, the CPM can accommodate up to six current inputs, making it one of the few devices available on the busway market today that can monitor power consumption at the multiple receptacle level.

Each device comes with an enhanced monitoring package which enables customers to monitor, integrate and display data center power consumption information. The STARLINE CPM also comes with an easy-to-install, user-friendly web interface so that data center managers can quickly provision and implement. The CPM has choices on the connectivity options including both wired Ethernet and Modbus, and also has an optional 802.11n Wi-Fi version.

“Data center activity represents a significant portion of the power consumed in the world at any given time. This makes the data center in every organization the epicenter for power management issues – from costs and consumption to energy efficiency,” said Mark Swift, Director of Marketing for Universal Electric Corporation. “The STARLINE CPM drills down to provide critical energy usage statistics so that data center managers can analyze the information and then can act upon it.”

“By constantly monitoring power consumption right at the receptacle, we are giving data center managers the granularity of data necessary to effectively do their jobs,” added Swift. “Armed with this information, they can help ensure that the organization understands their power consumption and then make informed decisions about power management for the entire company.”

The STARLINE CPM is calibrated to meet American National Service Institute (ANSI) revenue grade standards for power usage and comes with a variety of communications interfaces that facilitate seamless integration with Building Management System (BMS) and Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) packages.