Fundamentals of Power Outline

Course Description
Power is the foundational cornerstone in the data center. Many instances of equipment failure,
downtime, software and data corruption, are the result of a problematic supply of power. It is
imperative that servers are insulated against utility power failures, surges, and other potential
electrical problems. This course will explore the topic of power, and how it is utilized within the data
center.

Course Outline:

Learning Objectives

Identify basic electricity concepts

Describe electrical power and its generation
Differentiate between various power usages in a data center
Define power factor
Recognize the importance of electrical safety measures in a data center
Identify potential problem areas in the data center

Agenda

Electrical power key terms

AC and DC power
Power factor
Volt configurations, plugs and receptacles
Circuit breakers and convenience outlets
Seven common electrical problems
Components in a data center

Introduction

1) Key Terms
a) Volt (V)
b) Ampere (Amp)
c) Ohm (Ω)
d) Hertz (Hz)
e) Alternating Current (AC)
f) Direct Current (DC)
g) Load

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2) Single-phase and 3-phase Power

3) Watts and Volt-Amps

4) Power Factor Correction

a) Power factor of nearly 1
b) Method of offsetting inefficiencies created by electrical loads

5) Plugs and Receptacles

a) The most common plug/receptacle combination for IT equipment is of an IEC design
b) Also common are plugs and receptacles of the twist lock variety

6) International Electro-technical Commission Plugs

7) National Electric Manufacturers Association Plugs

8) Circuit Breakers
a) A type of switch
b) Designed to protect electrical equipment from damage caused by overload or short circuit
c) Designed to trip at a given current level

9) Circuit Breaker Protection

10) Circuit Breaker Sizing

11) GFCI, ELCB, and RCD

a) Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI), Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCI), or
Residual-Current Devices (RCD) trip a circuit if they detect a small amount of ground
current
b) Larger data centers use resistor banks instead of GFCI, ELCB, or RCD

12) Convenience Outlets

a) Used for non-computer devices
b) Allows for other non-computer equipment to be plugged in without taxing the critical load

13) Grounding
a) Safety measure to protect against electric shock

14) 7 Power Problems

a) Impulsive Transients

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 b) Interruptions
c) Sags and Undervoltages
d) Swells and Overvoltages
e) Waveform Distortion
f) Voltage Fluctuations
g) Power Frequency Variation

15) Standby Power and Distribution

a) Any power source available to the data center that supplies power when utility power is
unavailable

16) Power Distribution Components

a) Primary power source (Utility)
b) Emergency power source (Generator)
c) Circuit/Branch Circuit
d) Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
e) Automatic Transfer Switch
f) Power Distribution Units (PDU)
g) Outlet Strips
h) Server Plug

17) Summary
a) Power infrastructure is critical to uptime
b) Understanding basic power terms helps to better evaluate the interaction between the
utility, standby power equipment, and load
c) Failures can occur at various points in the power infrastructure, but special care should be
given to the condition and coordination of circuit breakers
d) Numerous power anomalies exist that can impact the uptime of data center equipment
e) Understanding the threats and applying practical power solutions can help to minimize risk

Course Assessment: Test Your Knowledge

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©2013 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved. All trademarks provided are the property of their respective owners.