DATA CENTER
ESSENTIALS
Introduction to the components that support a
data center and how they work together
Part E2: Electrical >
Components
Electrical Components Agenda
• AC
Voltages • DC
• Substations
• Transformers
Main Electrical • Switchgear
Equipment • Switchboards
• Generators
Electrical System • SCADA
Controls
Terms to Understand
Term Definition
Overload Exceeding the normal full load current of a
circuit
Short circuit Exceeding the normal full load current of a
circuit by a factor of many times (tens,
hundreds or thousands greater). Can also
cause an arc.
Electrical load Equipment that uses the energy or does the
work required: a server, motor, lamp, etc.
Ground A connection between an electrical device
and the Earth for protection
SCADA Supervisory control and data acquisition
DATA CENTER
ESSENTIALS
Voltages
AC and DC power history
Most data • DC still used for energy storage
(Batteries)
centers • Many have on-site energy
use AC generation (Generators)
Telecom • Data centers may have separate
network rooms supported with
uses DC separate DC power
DC power easier to store
• For data centers DC is used to store electricity in AC: DC:
batteries High-voltage, Storage,
AC power easier to transport Distribution, Solar, LEDs
Motors Fuel Cells
• AC distribution prevailed
• High voltage distribution is prevalent throughout
the world
Standard AC Voltages
Typical AC
Voltages in U.S. For low voltage distribution per ANSI 84.1
• Single phase
• 120, 208, 277 One cycle at 60 Hz
• Three phase
• 240, 208, 480, 600
The voltage is the
magnitude in a cycle
The number of cycles per
second is measured in hertz
• North America uses 60 Hz
• Most everywhere else uses 50 Hz
Direct Current (DC) Voltages
• No ‘phases’
• 12, 24, 48, 380, 550
Activity
Move the different most typical AC voltages to either the single or
three phase column.
Single Phase Three Phase
480 208
208 277 120 240
AC High Voltage
Definitions by ANSI C84.1 - 2011
• Low Voltage (LV) – Nominal voltage 1000 V
or less
• Medium Voltage (MV) –Greater than 1000 V
but less than 100 kV
• High Voltage (HV) – Class of nominal system
voltages from 100 kV to 230 kV
• Extra-High Voltage (EHV) – Greater than 230
kV but less than 1000 kV
• Ultra-High Voltage (UHV) – System voltages
that are equal to or greater than 1000 kV
AC & DC power chains
Results of a data center built to support DC power in Europe
1 2
Efficiency: 2 full conversions avoided
Space: smaller equipment
AC vs. DC power chains
AC distribution has been efficient for long distance transmission; DC power has become more relevant
due to the large number of intelligent devices
Activity
Determine the number of conversions that might be saved
by using 380V DC power downstream of the rectifier.
1 2 3
DATA CENTER
ESSENTIALS
Electrical equipment
Data center power path
Generators Switchgear Uninterruptable Power Remote Rack
Power Supply Distribution Unit Power Panel PDU
& distribution (UPS) (PDU) (RPP)
Utility
Utility
Data center electrical path
• Substations
• Transformers
• Generators
• Switchgear
Data center power components
Data centers may have multiple power paths and often have modular, redundant
components to support IT loads.
Substations
Usually for
distribution of power
May have transformers to change voltages,
often stepping down at a customer site
Data centers may have several utility power
supplies, each with their own substation
Incoming power
from Utility
Power to the
data center
Transformers (XFMRs)
Transformers are Converts electricity to
rated by kVA different voltages
• 2, 6, 15, 30 • 13.8kV to 4160V
• 75, 112.5, 150, 225 • 13.8kV to 480V
• 300, 500, 750 • 480V to 208/120V
• 1000+ • 120V to 24V
AC three phase power,
XFMRs have 3 windings
to convert voltage for the
A, B, and C phases
Transformers
Medium Voltage • Typical ratings: 225-10,000 kVA
Transformers Dry • Capacities can be increased by
and Liquid Types adding fans
Substation transformers
Switchboards & Switchgear
Switchgear
• Used mostly for service entrance and
substation
• Medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV)
• High short circuit ratings
• Usually used on primary side of uninterruptible
power supply (UPS)
• Breaker compartments for power circuit
breakers (PCBs) offer greater serviceability
and fault isolation
• Standard is ANSI C37.20.1 for LV
Switchboards
• Used mostly for load distribution, near the load
• Usually used on secondary side of UPS
• Standard is UL819
Switchgear
Power circuit breakers in
compartments with barriers
Bus bar run backs
Rear access required for service and
connections
Medium voltage versions of
Switchgear for service entrance
UL 1558, ANSI C37.20.1
Typical max low voltage ratings:
• 5000A
• 200kAIC
Switchgear
Switchgear
The compartments, components and access points of switchgear is necessary for
maintenance and failure.
UL 819 Switchboard Front
Commonly used for distribution
on secondary side of UPS
Freestanding or against wall,
front access
Molded case or low voltage
circuit breakers fix mounted
Circuit breakers may be group
mounted
Usually up to:
• 4000A
• 480V
• 100kAIC
UL819 Switchboard Rear
Typically rear
access is not
necessary - all lugs
and service points
are front accessible
Note horizontal
cross bus and
vertical section bus
Generators
Generators: converting rotating
mechanical movement into electric
power
• An engine-generator (genset) is the
combination of an electrical generator
and an engine (prime mover) mounted
together to form a single piece of
equipment
• Usually three phase power
• Diesel engines are common for data
center applications.
• Many different versions are available -
very small portable to large turbine
installations
• Primary advantage of engine-
generators is the ability to
independently supply electricity, acting
as the backup power solution
Generators
Gensets typically include:
• Fuel supply
• Constant engine speed regulator (governor) and voltage regulator
• Cooling and exhaust systems
• Lubrication system
Units larger than 1 kW rating often have a battery and
electric starter motor.
Standby power units often include an automatic
starting system and a transfer switch to disconnect the
load from the utility power source and connect it to the
generator
Generators
Generators may be paralleled for greater capacity, load management and maintenance
Generator Paralleling Switchgear manages and sequences generator operation
SCADA
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
Activity
Indicate where generators may be connected to the electrical system
Utility Power
ATS Generators
Main switchgear
Distribution switchboard
UPS
PDU
Load
End of presentation
DATA CENTER
ESSENTIALS
Part E2: Electrical >
Components
