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