Electricians traditionally hard wire equipment in a data center or office environment, and when the tenants' needs change, the owner must invest a significant amount of time and money to reconfigure the system. Today's buildings and data centers require a flexible power distribution system to keep pace with rapid changes in technology.

To meet clients' power needs in a computer access floor environment, Snake Tray, Bayshore, N.Y., collaborated with Marshall-Tufflex, Hastings, England, to adapt its power distribution system design for use in the United States. The outcome of their work is a power distribution system that's easier to install and reconfigure as the needs of a facility change. The Snake Bus system delivers power in a bus configuration with three pre-configured components — the power track, feed unit, and tap-offs. Electricians can disconnect and reconnect power to devices anywhere along the power track in a matter of seconds, which can greatly reduce construction costs.

“This configurable and reconfigurable power grid makes the building that much more valuable to landlords and owners,” says Roger Jette, president of Snake Tray. “The old way required tons of man hours and didn't offer much flexibility. This allows us to do moves and changes as easily as changing a light bulb.”

The power track is available in 4-foot and 8-foot lengths, which can be snapped together in multiple configurations. As many as eight tracks can be joined together on one circuit to provide as much as 15kW of power.

The system's low-profile design allows it to operate in a space with about 2.5 inches of clearance. And according to the company, a bus configuration can deliver more power than traditional wiring methods.

Visit www.snaketray.com for more information.