A Power Distribution Unit (PDU) is a device designed to safely deliver reliable electrical power to multiple pieces of equipment, typically in data centers, labs, network closets, or industrial environments. PDUs come in many forms, from the most basic models to advanced intelligent PDUs that provide monitoring, automation, and remote access capabilities.
A switched PDU specifically adds the ability to control outlets —turning them on, off, or cycling them as needed. This simple capability unlocks powerful applications like rebooting unresponsive equipment, scheduling power usage, and sequencing startups to prevent overloads.
Key Use Cases for Switched PDUs
Switched PDUs go beyond basic remote control. They enable solutions that improve uptime, efficiency, protection, and remote management:
- Uptime & Remote Recovery: Remotely reboot unresponsive servers, switches, or lab equipment to reduce downtime and avoid costly site visits.
- Example: An IT team managing hundreds of retail stores can reset frozen point-of-sale systems without dispatching technicians.
- Efficiency & Capacity Planning: Measure per-outlet consumption and use power-on sequencing to prevent overloads during equipment startup.
- Example: A data center can safely bring racks online after maintenance without tripping breakers.
- Protection & Safety: Pair with sensors to detect temperature, humidity, or leaks, and automate alerts or shutoffs to protect equipment.
- Example: A research lab can cut power and notify staff if cooling fails or a leak is detected near sensitive instruments.
- Secure Remote Management: Maintain access during network failures with LTE or secondary WAN, and use serial console access for troubleshooting.
- Example: A telecom provider can still manage remote cabinets even during a primary network outage.
…and much more. Explore our Solutions pages and Knowledge Base articles for additional examples.
Why Not Use a Smart Plug?
Smart plugs are a great fit for many setups. For home automation, small offices, and lightweight equipment, they’re cost-effective, easy to deploy, and perfectly capable of handling the job.
But they’re designed for consumer use, while switched PDUs are built for enterprise environments:
- Power Handling – Smart plugs use small PCB relays and plastics suited for light loads. Switched PDUs use relay-based designs rated to the full input capacity, safely handling servers, switches, and other high-demand devices.
- Reliability & Integration – Switched PDUs are built for 24/7 uptime, with rugged components and secure access methods that fit seamlessly into IT workflows. Additional considerations, such as Multi-teh
In short: smart plugs are excellent for what they’re built for, but when it comes to critical infrastructure, a switched PDU delivers the capacity, reliability, and integration you need.
Features to Look for in Modern Switched PDUs
The ability to turn outlets on and off is just the beginning. Modern switched PDUs often include additional capabilities that make them far more powerful tools for managing critical equipment:
- Individual Outlet Control: Some switched PDUs only let you control all outlets at once, while more advanced models allow you to manage each outlet individually.
- Remote Access & Management: Control your PDU through web interfaces, command-line tools, APIs, or SNMP, and in some cases manage multiple PDUs together through centralized or cloud platforms.
- Networking & Security Integration: Support for standards like LDAP, RADIUS, SNMP, and IPv6 so PDUs can fit seamlessly into enterprise authentication and monitoring systems.
- Automation & Alerts: Many modern switched PDUs have support for automation, where outlets can be automatically turned on or off under certain conditions.
- Power & Environmental Monitoring: Track per-outlet consumption, total load, and environmental conditions like temperature or humidity to improve efficiency and prevent failures.
- Power-On Sequencing: Stagger equipment startup to avoid inrush currents that could overload circuits or damage sensitive electronics.
The Synaccess Advantage
At Synaccess, we design our switched PDUs to deliver all of these modern capabilities—and extend them even further with features built specifically for enterprise, networking, and industrial environments:
- Flexible Management Options – Web UI, SSH, REST API, SNMP, and centralized fleet management (on-prem or cloud).
- Advanced Automation Engine – Go beyond basic automation with our automation engine - define triggers and actions for complex workflows that reboot devices, send webhooks, or interact with monitoring systems.
- Redundant Connectivity – Integrated LTE and secondary WAN ports ensure you stay connected even during primary network failures.
- Integrated Serial Console Server – Access routers, switches, and other serial devices directly through the PDU for complete remote troubleshooting.
- Customizability & Extensions – Add sensors for leak detection, temperature, humidity, and even automate shutoff valves for safety-critical environments.
Synaccess offers a wide range of models, configurations, and customizations so you can find the right fit for your specific application—without overpaying for features you don’t need. Whether you’re equipping a single lab bench or deploying across a global data center network, Synaccess PDUs give you the scalability, flexibility, and value to match your environment.
