Patent attributes
An external power supply containment unit includes a chassis configured to mount to a structure external to a rack. The external power supply containment unit further includes one or more discrete power supplies mounted in the chassis and one or more electrical connectors that are configured to couple and decouple with a power distribution system of a rack positioned adjacent to the external power supply containment unit. The electrical connectors are configured such that racks of electrical devices, such as computers, can be replaced while the external power supply containment unit remains mounted to the external structure. Additionally, discrete power supply units included in the external power supply containment unit may be re-used to provide power to electrical devices included in a replacement rack when a rack of electrical devices coupled with the external power supply containment unit is replaced.