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Let us know which data center you'd like to visit and how to reach you, and one of team members will be in touch shortly.
Data centers are places to house IT equipment. This IT equipment requires power to work. In fact, each piece of equipment will have its own, specific power requirements. That being so, it’s vital to ensure that a data center’s power infrastructure is suitable for the equipment it houses. Here is a quick guide to what you need to know.
There are many reasons why power infrastructure compatibility matters. Here are three of the main ones.
Consistent power supply ensures that all systems operate smoothly without unexpected interruptions, maintaining the overall reliability of the data center. By contrast, incompatible power ratings can cause voltage fluctuations, leading to server crashes, data corruption, or hardware damage.
Properly matching power requirements ensures that the data center’s power infrastructure operates at optimal efficiency. Overloading circuits or underutilizing power resources can lead to inefficiencies and increased operational costs.
Ensuring that power ratings and connectors are compatible helps prevent electrical hazards, protecting both the equipment and the personnel working in the data center. Mismatched voltage or current ratings can result in overheating, electrical fires, or short circuits, posing serious safety risks.
In addition to requiring extensive cabling, data center operators deploy a range of equipment to facilitate power management. Here is a quick overview of the main ones.
Power distribution units (PDUs): Allocate power from the main supply to individual racks, ensuring proper voltage and efficient load balancing.
Remote power panels (RPPs): Extend power distribution capabilities closer to the equipment racks, allowing for more granular power management.
Transformers: Step down high voltage from the utility supply to a lower voltage suitable for data center equipment.
Circuit breakers and switchgear: Protect electrical circuits from overload or short circuits and control the distribution of power.
Surge protectors: Protect against voltage spikes that can damage IT equipment.
Energy storage systems (ESS): Store large amounts of energy for use during peak load times or outages.
Automatic transfer switches (ATS): Automatically switch power from the primary source to a backup source (e.g., generator) when a failure is detected.
Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS): Provides short-term power during outages and conditions incoming power to prevent damage from surges, sags, and other anomalies.
Battery systems: Store energy to provide emergency power through the UPS system.
Generators: Supply long-term backup power in case of extended outages.
Most data centers will deploy multiples of these components. They will also have redundant components to ensure resilience. Moreover, data centers will use environment monitoring systems to ensure optimal operating conditions for both the power-management equipment and the IT equipment it supports.
Here is a brief overview of the main types of IT equipment and the factors to consider when assessing power compatibility.
Servers require specific voltage and current ratings, which vary depending on the model and manufacturer. Common voltage requirements are 120V or 208V in North America and 230V in Europe. Power ratings can range from a few hundred watts to several kilowatts per server. Plug types must match the power distribution units (PDUs) in use, typically IEC C13/C14 or C19/C20 connectors.
Similar to servers, storage devices have specific voltage (often 120V or 208V) and power ratings that need to be adhered to. They also produce significant heat, requiring consideration of cooling power needs.
These devices generally require lower power compared to servers but still have specific voltage (commonly 120V or 208V) and current ratings. Power over Ethernet (PoE) requirements may also be a consideration for some switches.
rPDUs themselves need to match the input voltage and current capacity of the data center. They must also provide appropriate outlet types and configurations for the equipment they will support.
These units have high power requirements and specific voltage needs, typically 208V or higher. They also have current ratings that must be considered to prevent circuit overloads.
systems (like UPS and generators) can support the cooling equipment during outages.
UPS units need to match the input voltage and current capacities of the data center’s power source. They also need to have appropriate power output ratings to support connected equipment and sufficient battery capacity for desired runtime.
Typically, these devices have moderate power requirements with specific voltage ratings (often 120V or 208V) and power ratings. They may also require redundant power supplies.
These systems often have lower power requirements but still need to be compatible with the voltage and current ratings of the data center. They require reliable power to ensure continuous monitoring.
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