Big Dog Power’s line of smart power distribution units are being used in numerous residential and commercial settings to solve problems and make peoples’ lives easier. The brand’s 12+1-Outlet Smart Power Distribution Unit combines all the features integrators need into one device to deliver surge protection, remote control, smart home integration, rack temperature management, and more. Twelve individually controllable outlets have power metering, self-healing, and automatic reboot capabilities for smarter and easier remote management of connected devices. When surges occur, two removable surge protection modules can be replaced without sacrificing the entire PDU, making this solution unique and cost-effective. Other versions of this device are available, offering an assortment of outlet configurations to ensure users have power management where needed; the PR-V7PI (6+1 outlets), PR-W3PI (3 outlets) and a single-outlet style plug, the PR-S1PI.
Big Dog Power’s assortment of outlet configuration options give integrators the flexibility to design their installations in more convenient ways. These devices are ideal in situations with difficult to access or unique mounting configurations. Integrator, Jake Hayes, of Gateway Sight & Sound in Jonesboro, Arkansas, provides his candid experience with using Big Dog Power products as an integration professional:
Do you primarily use Big Dog Power products in residential installations, commercial, or both? Which product(s) do you use the most?
Both. Our company has used them in most every vertical market, residential and commercial. Our most commonly used models are the 3-outlet and 7-outlet.
Give some examples of problem(s) that Big Dog Power products have solved for you.
Our company has used them in the traditional sense for remote power reboots of residential equipment, but have also used them in a few specialty applications. The ping and reboot feature has been nice, particularly at a large farming operation where we have cameras installed on multiple buildings over a large acreage. We have a central-point to multipoint system placed high on a grain bin that all other shops and buildings connect to. If those point-to-points ever fall offline, our team is alerted by the mobile MAVbase App notifications and the issue typically resolves itself using Big Dog Power’s ping and reboot feature.
One of the most unique applications where our company has employed Big Dog Power thus far has been in remote surveillance units (RSUs). We have been building NEMA-rated camera enclosures that rely on cellular modems for local governments and police departments. They’ve seen a high level success in deterring crime and assisting in investigations in areas where these are deployed. These units are typically installed at the top of a utility pole, and are only accessible after the initial installation by using a bucket truck, which usually involves diverting traffic. As a solution, our company installs a Big Dog Power 3-Outlet unit in every RSU we build, which makes remote troubleshooting and maintenance much easier.
How is Big Dog Power different from similar products?
The replaceable MOVs and flexible mounting options for these devices – particularly the 7-outlet – is really helpful. Our installers don’t have to take the time on the front end to plan out whether we need a vertical or horizontal rack mount solution, we know we can incorporate the PR-V7PI for an installation and it’ll work regardless of how the rack is ultimately laid out.
