What is power distribution in a data center?

A power distribution unit (PDU) is a designed to distribute electric power to equipment in a data center or networking center.

How do data centers get power?

Most data centers get their primary electricity from the wider municipal electric grid. The facility will then either have one or several transformers in place to take in the energy, while also ensuring the power coming in is of the right voltage and the right type of current (converted from AC to DC typically).

How many watts does a data center use?

U.S. data centers use more than 90 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity a year, requiring roughly 34 giant (500-megawatt) coal-powered plants. Global data centers used roughly 416 terawatts (4.16 x 1014 watts) (or about 3% of the total electricity) last year, nearly 40% more than the entire United Kingdom.

Do data centers use a lot of electricity?

In 2017, US based data centers alone used up more than 90 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. To give some perspective on how much energy that amounts to, it would take 34 massive coal-powered plants generating 500 megawatts each to equal the power demands of those data centers.

Which data center power distribution voltage should you use?

Depending on the size of the data center and the amount of power required (and power density), power can be distributed at 480 V or 208/120 V in North America. Assuming that you have larger installation, 480 V is the most common and preferred choice for the UPS and all major power distribution until it gets to the data center floor.

What is power distribution center?

A power distribution center (PDC) is electrical equipment designed to regulate the distribution of electrical power to various equipment, be that to machines in a factory or to various systems on an automotive vehicle. Typically, a switchgear supplies power to the PDC.

What is data center power?

Data Center Power Infrastructure Explained. Housing an organization’s IT operations, computer systems, and associated components, data centers are often described as the engine of the Internet. For this engine to operate smoothly, efficiently, and without any downtime, a reliable supply of power is needed.

What is power distribution unit (PDU)?

A power distribution unit (PDU) is a type of electrical component that distributes and manages electricity supply to computers, servers and networking devices within a data center environment. It provides a central unit to control and distribute electricity across the data center components.