Data Center Service Providers Protect Mission Critical Applications

Are you considering acquiring the services of a data center service provider? Are you looking for information about the power delivery and management of a quality data center? Then this article is for you. This article will provide information about the colocation and data center services provided by a data center specifically focusing on data center power.

Due to the growth in data center power consumption, customers look to data center service providers to provide expertise and insight regarding all aspects of power delivery and management. A data center service provider's expert staff and engineers will have designed their power systems with built-in redundancy, full Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems with up to N+1 levels or greater, and backup generator systems in the event of a local utility failure.

A quality data center service provider's teams work with you to solve your business needs before your installation and to also accommodate any specific high-power requirements. All power and back-up systems are tested regularly to ensure the infrastructure and procedures perform as designed.

As a customer of a data center service provider, you have the ability to remotely monitor the critical systems supporting your installation - which is all backed up by the provider's service level agreement.

N+1 or 2N options are available with both AC and DC power in a variety of voltage and amperage configurations designed to suit your budget and the critical nature of your application.

High Density Data Center Power
With a quality data center service provider you receive up to 5.7kW of usable data center power per cabinet. This would be the equivalent of three (3) 120VAC/20A power circuits, or one (1) 208VAC/20A/3-phase power circuit.

Of note, the redundant (B-side) power circuits are not included in this calculation since 5.7kW is the true maximum usage and not over inflated by also including the redundant power circuits. Also note that 5.7kW is the net maximum usable, rather than an inflated gross/breaker number, which would be 7.2kW (14.4kW if one were to include the B-side power circuits).

Fully Redundant Data Center Power
With a quality data center service provider several Transient Voltage Surge Suppression (TVSS) devices are installed on major electrical panels and remove spikes prior to being seen by the UPS, where the wave form is stabilized. The UPS systems correct utility power to a stable wave former through double-conversion, and include a 7-minute battery back-up to transition to the generator system.

Power is distributed from the UPS through K-rated transformers to local panel distribution panels and branched to computer cabinets. Computer cabinets are installed with IP-addressable power strips containing ampacity meters.

A quality data center service provider provides both AC and DC power in a variety of voltage and amperage configurations. The system includes a back-up using an Automatic Transfer Switch connected to a stand-by diesel generator. The system is designed to transition to generator back-up in 15 seconds whenever an under-voltage or over-voltage condition persists. Back-by power is sustained and not restored until the utility supply is stable and consistent.