Power distribution unit with a modular construction

A power distribution unit having a modular construction comprising:

• a power rail having a housing that defines an interior cavity,
• at least one first connection element and a power bus having at least two conducting elements, and
• a plurality of modules formed and sized to be inserted into said interior cavity, each of said modules comprising:
• at least one second connection element configured to cooperate with the at least one first connection element in order to releasably connect each module with the housing, and
• at least two contact elements configured to be connected to or brought into contact with said at least two conducting elements upon insertion of one of the modules into said interior cavity, said plurality of modules including:
• a) a power input module comprising at least one power inlet, said power inlet being connectable to a power source, said power input module further including circuitry configured to relay power from the power inlet to the at least two contact elements of the power input module;
• b) at least one control module including a microcontroller and at least one external communication interface configured to transfer data to external devices;
• and
• c) at least one power output module comprising at least one power socket electrically connected to the at least two contact elements, and a metering device configured to measure at least one power parameter of the power and/or at least one switch configured to selectively interrupt the power transmitted from said at least two contact elements to said at least one power socket,
• wherein said at least one control module and said at least one power output module each comprise at least one optical communication unit configured to send and/or receive data via optical signals through air between at least one of the power input module, the at least one control module and the at least one power output module and another one of the power input module, the at least one control module and the at least one power output module.