415V Solutions

415V Power at the Rack Level in the Data Center

The premise is simple: Be more efficient and save more money through fewer power transformations by using 415V power.

It's the reason that many data center operators are considering a change to bring 415V to the rack level. Changing current requirements to 415V power can increase data center power efficiency and cut costs. Switching current requirements can cut the power losses that data centers experience every time electricity passes through a power converter or transformer.

The 415V power distribution system that is used in much of the world outside of North America is now beginning to gain a foothold within the U.S. and Canada.

Within enterprise data centers, power used for operating the facility, lighting, running IT loads and cooling is the largest operational expense. Numerous papers and articles have been published by The Green Grid, The Uptime Institute, PG&E, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories and others discussing ways to measure, monitor and increase efficiencies. This paper discusses various approaches to reducing power consumption and to increase end-to-end efficiency in the data center by bringing 415V to the rack level. With power densities continuing to rise, more efficient solutions continue to be explored especially as power cost increases and power availability decreases.

The power path from the building entrance to the IT loads contains several power converters and transformers for each conversion; which contribute to inefficiencies and power losses. Reducing the number of transformers and operating at a higher voltage improves efficiency and reduces electrical costs. This paper discusses an alternative approach to power distribution, presently being implemented in North American data centers that increase efficiencies and savings by reducing upfront capital costs, power consumption and floor space.

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Related: 415V White Paper - Youtube 415V Video with Robert - Power Plug Options Sheet for 415V - SPM - Firmware