PDUs, UPS systems and automatic transfer switches
What each part of the rack power chain does, how to read its status, and what to do when one alarms.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Length
- About 40 minutes
- Contents
- 3 lessons · 1 video · final exam
- Status
- Published · updated 1 Oct 2026
Skills you'll practise
- Explain the role of a rack PDU, a UPS and an automatic transfer switch
- Read a PDU or UPS status display and say what it means for the equipment
- Choose a safe first response to a UPS-on-battery or PDU high-load alarm
Course outline
- 1.PDUs, UPSs and transfer switchesVideo · 2 min
- 2.The rack power chainLesson · 12 min
- 3.UPS operating modes and reading the displayLesson · 13 min
- 4.PDU outlet banks, branch breakers and remote outlet controlLesson · 12 min
- 5.PDUs, UPS systems and automatic transfer switches: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 29 questions
- 6.UPS on battery at nightScenario
- 7.Final exam5 questions · passing it completes the course, so people who already know the material can test out
Sources it draws on
The lessons and questions are written from these references, so learners can go back to the original.
- Your equipment vendors' installation and service guides (rail kits, PSU and BMC documentation)
- General data-center operations practice
See it with your own jobs and topics
Tell us about your team and we'll walk you through setup, from choosing jobs to your first skills check.