Empower Your Data Centre
Powering the Digital World: Industrial Power Supplies in Data Centre Applications
The critical role of power for servers and data centres
Maximize Your Data Centre's Potential with Conexa
The Growing Demand for Data Centres
The AI and Big Data Boom
The exponential growth of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics is driving an unprecedented demand for high-performance computing. This requires more servers and more power.
Massive Power Consumption
The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that global electricity demand from data centres will more than double by 2030, consuming as much as the entire country of Japan today.
Power Density Challenges
As technology advances, more computing power is packed into a single server rack. Average rack densities are rising from 5 kW to 8-10 kW, with some high-performance racks exceeding 20 kW. This creates significant challenges for power and cooling infrastructure.
Specifying the Right Power Supply
Why Industrial-Grade Power Supplies?
Standard power supplies are not sufficient for the rigorous demands of data centres. Industrial-grade power supplies are designed to meet specific needs:
1
Extreme Reliability
Data centres operate 24/7/365. Any power failure can lead to data loss and significant financial impact. Industrial power supplies are built with high-quality components and robust designs to minimise the risk of failure.
2
High Efficiency
With power consumption being a major operational expense, efficiency is paramount. Industrial power supplies achieve high-level certifications, such as 80 PLUS Titanium, to reduce energy waste and lower operational costs.
3
Power Density
To accommodate more powerful chips and components in a limited physical space, power supplies must deliver more watts per cubic inch. This is a key design consideration for manufacturers.
Key Considerations for Server Manufacturers
Server manufacturers must carefully select power supplies that meet the demanding requirements of data centre environments.
Efficiency and Environmental Impact
PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness)
This industry-standard metric measures data centre efficiency. An ideal PUE is 1.0, with most top-tier data centres aiming for PUEs below 1.2. The power supply’s efficiency is a major contributor to a low PUE.
Minimising Energy Costs
Choosing highly efficient power supplies directly reduces electricity consumption and operational expenses.
Waste Heat Management
Inefficiency generates waste heat, which requires more cooling. A more efficient power supply reduces the load on the data centre’s cooling systems, saving even more energy.
Reliability, Redundancy, and Uptime
Redundancy
To prevent single points of failure, servers use redundant power supply configurations, such as N+1 or 2N. If one unit fails, the backup takes over instantly.
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
Manufacturers must select power supplies with a high MTBF to ensure a long operational lifespan.
Hot-Swapping
Power supplies should be designed for “hot-swapping,” allowing technicians to replace a faulty unit without powering down the server, ensuring uninterrupted operation.
Power Density and Form Factor
Fitting More Power in Less Space
As server designs become more compact, the physical size of the power supply is critical. It must provide enough power for high-performance CPUs and GPUs while fitting into a slim chassis.
Custom vs. Standard Form Factors
Manufacturers may choose standard form factors for compatibility or opt for custom designs to achieve maximum power density for their specific server models.
Other Critical Factors
Power Factor Correction (PFC)
Active PFC is essential for modern data centres. It ensures the power supply draws power from the grid efficiently and minimises electrical interference.
Thermal Management
The power supply’s cooling system is crucial. It must dissipate its own heat effectively while not compromising the airflow or heat dissipation of the server’s other components.
Safety and Certifications
Power supplies must comply with strict international safety standards (e.g., UL, CE, TUV) and regulatory requirements to ensure safe operation.
Conclusion
The selection of an appropriate power supply is a critical decision for server manufacturers. It is a balancing act between power, efficiency, reliability, and form factor. As the demand for data centres continues to surge, particularly driven by AI workloads, the need for advanced, highly efficient, and reliable industrial power supplies will only grow.
