An adaptive power strip has a power rail. A power entry module and one or more receptacle modules having plug receptacles are mounted on the power rail. The power entry module has a power inlet to which a source of power can be coupled. The power entry module distributes power from the power source to the power rail. The receptacle modules distribute power from the power rail to the respective plug receptacles. In an aspect, the power entry module has a communications module that discovers receptacle modules on the power rail having data communications capability and if a receptacle module does not have a unique identifier assigned to it, assigns a unique identifier to the receptacle module that the receptacle module stores in a memory. The communications modules also retrieves from each receptacle module having data communications capability, information about the characteristics of the receptacle module that the communications module stores in a memory. The communications module maintains an inventory in memory of the receptacle modules on the power rail that includes information about the characteristics of the receptacle modules. In an aspect, receptacle modules determine their locations on the power rail and send information to the communications module that the communications module uses to determine the location of the receptacle modules on the power rail. In an aspect, the power entry module determines the type of power service provided to it at its power inlet.