Driving Data Center Efficiency with High-Density Rack PDUs

Energy efficiency is a top priority for data centers. Power demand is surging, driving a sharp rise in rack densities—and with it, the need for high-density rack PDUs to reliably support advanced computing workloads.

Smart power management has never been more important, as data center operators look to balance massive demand with efficiency and downtime prevention. Artificial intelligence (AI) and high-density computing are causing massive power increases, boosting rack density from the standard 20-30kW to 40kW and above. High-density AI training clusters require 40kW-60kW racks, while LLMs require racks of at least 70kW. Racks that accommodate supercomputing applications used for national security and AI research draw as much as 100kW.

Power distribution units (PDUs) for 30kW racks are not designed to support the significantly higher loads. High-density data centers, colocation facilities, and hyperscalers require high-capacity rack PDUs to prevent circuit overloads and safeguard expensive IT equipment. They need PDUs capable of handling the power load while helping to prevent downtime through intelligent monitoring of energy use, security, and environmental factors. 

Options for High-Density Rack Power Demands 

Data center operators have various options to address high-density rack power demands. When the power capacity per PDU or outlet is insufficient, one solution is to add PDUs to achieve the desired cabinet kilowatt ratings.

Another approach involves using higher-amperage PDUs with higher breaker/fuse counts to deliver more power on a per-outlet basis. PDUs designed for high density can accommodate 100A and above. If excess rack unit (RU) space is available, operators can deploy high-power horizontal rack PDUs that provide room for cabling and connectivity to meet overall density demands.

Built-in Intelligence to Prevent Downtime 

Servers that consume a significant amount of electricity can sometimes trigger power quality issues known as harmonic distortion. At a minimum, problems such as power leaks and variations waste energy, and in the worst-case scenario, they can lead to overheating, equipment failure, and unplanned downtime.

Harmonic distortion can be minimized with an intelligent PDU equipped with metering and power quality monitoring capabilities. In addition to harmonic distortion, intelligent PDUs track neutral voltage, and voltage dip and swell metrics at branch level.

Environmental and Security Monitoring 

As power usage in data centers increases, so does the amount of heat that needs to be dissipated. To optimize cooling and prevent energy waste, data centers should deploy systems that monitor environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, and airflow, to enhance cooling efficiency.

Using sensors to monitor these conditions helps protect equipment from damage. They also enhance security by detecting misuse or suspicious activity. Other security measures include electronic smart door locks, asset management tags, and sensors that make it possible to identify, track, and manage data center equipment.

A Better Approach to High-Density Compute Power Management 

Legrand collaborates with data center operators to enhance power management and efficiency. Server Technology rack power solutions offer the widest range of high-density PDUs, with capacities ranging from 10kW to 57.6kW. Server Technology PRO4X Rack PDUs have built-in intelligent monitoring to help reduce energy waste and downtime. These PDUs can be integrated with systems that provide environmental and security monitoring, adding an extra layer of protection.

Discover PDUs and monitoring technology that provide critical functionality for high-density data centers, allowing operators to balance unprecedented power demand with the need to operate efficiently and minimize downtime.