Multimode distribution systems and methods for providing power from power sources to power consuming devices

1. A multimode distribution system, comprising:

a first source interface for coupling to a first power source;

a second source interface for coupling to a second power source;

a first selection device configured to be coupled via a first connection matrix and the first source interface with the first power source to provide main power to one or more power consumption devices,

a second selection device configured to be coupled via a second connection matrix and the first source interface with the first power source to provide the main power to one or more additional power consumption devices, the second selection device further configured to be coupled via the second connection matrix and the second source interface with the second power source to provide alternative power to the additional power consumption devices,

wherein the power consumption devices that are configured to receive the main power from the first power source are less critical than the additional power consumption devices, wherein the additional power consumption devices are configured to receive the alternative power from the second power source after receiving the main power from the first power source.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first source interface and the second source interface includes a transformer, a circuit breaker, a switch, an inverter, or a combination thereof.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first source interface is different than the second source interface.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first source interface is configured to perform a different function than the second source interface.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second selection device includes connections to obtain power from the first power source or the second power source, wherein the first selection device lacks a connection to obtain power from the second power source.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second selection device includes a multiplexer configured to select between the first and second power source.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first connection matrix includes multiple connection lines, the connection lines providing a connection to the first power source and lacking a connection to the second power source, wherein the second connection matrix includes multiple connection lines, the connection lines of the second matrix providing a connection to the first power source and a connection to the second power source.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein each connection line of the first and second matrix includes three phase lines for supplying three signals at three different phases, a ground line for conducting a ground signal, and a neutral line for receiving a signal in case of an unbalanced load.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein each connection line of the first and second matrix includes three phase lines for supplying three signals at three different phases and a ground line for conducting a ground signal.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power consumption devices or the additional power consumption devices include servers, or firewalls, or virtual private network (VPN) gateways, or intrusion detection systems, or networking equipment, or mainframe computers, or storage devices.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the alternative power is provided when provision of the main power is disrupted.

12. A system comprising:

a first power source;

a second power source being an alternative to the first power source;

a housing enclosing a first source interface, a second source interface, a first connection matrix, a second connection matrix, a first selection device, and a second selection device,

the first selection device configured to be coupled via the first connection matrix and the first source interface with the first power source to provide power to one or more power consumption devices,

the second selection device configured to be coupled via the second connection matrix and the first source interface with the first power source to provide power to one or more additional power consumption devices, the second selection device further configured to be coupled via the second connection matrix and the second source interface with the second power source to provide alternative power to the additional power consumption devices, the additional power consumption devices operable to receive the alternative power from the second power source after receiving the power from the first power source.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the first power source includes a main power source and the second power source includes an alternative power source, or another main power source, or an uninterruptible power supply.

14. A method, comprising:

receiving main power via a first source interface from a first power source;

receiving alternative power via a second source interface from a second power source;

receiving a selection to couple the first power source via the first source interface to one or more power consumption devices;

providing the main power received via the first source interface to the power consumption devices in response to receiving the selection,

receiving a selection to couple the first power source via the first source interface to one or more additional power consumption devices or a selection to couple the second power source via the second source interface to the additional power consumption devices, the additional power consumption devices operable to receive the alternative power from the second power source after receiving the main power from the first power source;

providing the main power received via the first source interface to the additional power consumption devices in response to receiving the selection to couple the first power source via the first source interface to the additional power consumption devices; and

providing the alternative power received via the second source interface to the additional power consumption devices in response to receiving the selection to couple the second power source via the second source interface to the additional power consumption devices.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the power consumption devices that are configured to receive the main power from the first power source are less critical than the additional power consumption devices.

16. A method comprising:

providing a multimode distribution system, the multi mode distribution system including a first connection matrix coupled to a first selection device and a second connection matrix coupled to a second selection device;

coupling the first connection matrix via a first source interface to a main power source; coupling the first selection device via a power distribution unit to a first power consumption device;

coupling the second selection device via a power distribution unit to a second power consumption device; coupling the second connection matrix via the first source interface with the main power source; and

coupling the second connection matrix via a second source interface with an alternative power source after decoupling the second connection matrix from the main power source, wherein the first connection matrix lacks a connection to couple the alternative power source to the first power consumption device.