Definition
A power distribution unit (PDU) takes one high-capacity electrical feed and divides it into many protected outlets, letting a single circuit safely power a row or rack of ASIC miners. In a mining context the PDU sits between the breaker panel and the machines, handling the high amperage modern hardware draws and consolidating cabling that would otherwise be a tangle of individual cords and risk.
Voltage and phase matter
In North America, ASICs are commonly run on 208V or 240V rather than 120V, because higher voltage delivers the same power at lower current — less heat in the wiring, thinner conductors, and better PSU efficiency. Larger deployments step up to three-phase PDUs (often 208V or 415V), which balance load across three conductors and deliver far more power per rack than single-phase can practically handle. A typical heavy mining PDU might accept an 80A three-phase input and feed a dozen current-generation miners.
Smart vs. basic units
Basic PDUs simply distribute power. "Smart" or metered PDUs add per-outlet current monitoring, remote on/off switching, and alerting — valuable for spotting a miner that has stopped drawing power, balancing phases, and remotely cycling a hung machine without a site visit. For any deployment beyond a handful of units, metering quickly pays for itself in visibility and uptime.
Choosing the right PDU goes hand in hand with PSU selection — see the 80 Plus efficiency entry — and with how your utility meters peak draw, covered under demand charge.
In Simple Terms
A power distribution unit (PDU) takes one high-capacity electrical feed and divides it into many protected outlets, letting a single circuit safely power a row…