Planning for power

Incorporating WattBox power equipment is not difficult, but poor planning puts an entire install at risk. Insufficient power can degrade equipment performance and reduce its lifespan, and a lightning strike can use one unprotected wire to cause massive damage.

Calculate outlet needs at each location

Once you have an install plan, sort each device by its location. Devices at each location should be physically close enough to be plugged into the same WattBox PDU. If they are not, split them into two locations (e.g., Home Theater Front and Home Theater Rear).

At each location, the quantity of electric devices tells you how many outlets each location needs.

To allow for the inevitable expansion, multiply the outlets at each location by 1.25. This gives you 20% headroom, just in case.

Calculate power draw

Find the maximum power consumption in watts for each device. Find this either on a label on the bottom of the device, or on the specs tab of the product page.

Total the power consumption of all devices each location.

As with the outlets, multiply the watts by 1.25 to give yourself 20% headroom for future expansion or equipment upgrades.

Determine the needed functionality

Different devices have different needs, and this should inform your choices.

  • Surge Protection: Any device that is connected by a wire to another device in the system needs to be surge protected. Devices that are not directly connected to any other device cannot spread a surge, so they do not necessarily need surge protection.

  • Power Conditioning: Precision devices like audio gear need constant, reliable, noise-free power. Simpler devices like fans and touchscreens can do without.

  • Voltage Regulation: If you have voltage drops in power supply, your high-performance gear needs a small UPS that can boost when needed.

  • Battery Backup: If your gear needs to operate (even if only for a safe shutdown) when the power goes out, you need a UPS.

  • Outlet Control and Monitoring: The project needs this so you can monitor power use by a device, and/or reboot a device that has a tendency to hang.

  • Wi-Fi: This allows IP control (above) in a location you cannot reach with an ethernet cable.

  • Installation specifications: The features, size, and mounting options must be considered.

Compare project needs to WattBox PDU and UPS specs

For each location, start with the most demanding device. Select the WattBox PDU and UPS that meets its needs.

Group additional devices to use (most of) the remaining outlets or power, whichever comes first.

If there are devices remaining at that location, either select a PDU with more outlets, or select a second PDU to cover the rest of the needs.

Here are some special cases to consider: 

  • If the job requires multiple amplifiers, consider dedicated electrical outlets for the equipment. Check that the circuit that powers the equipment can support the total potential load. When in doubt, consult an electrician.

  • If a device needs to be remotely restarted or put on a schedule, use an 800-series, IP-controllable WattBox PDU.

  • If a device has high peak-power requirements, consider a 200-series WattBox PDU with a dedicated outlet for proper surge protection.

  • If a device has an inrush current that is high enough to trip a WB-800, but also needs to be power cycled or controlled via schedule, a WB-250 or WB-300 provides surge protection and individual outlet control, though without overcurrent protection.

  • If the device doesn’t need to be on a controlled outlet, use a surge-only PDU.