Data Center Essentials: Power & Electrical

The power & electrical systems that support data centers and the internet

Introduction to data center electrical and power systems

Redundancy concepts for electrical distribution and equipment

Understanding of electrical equipment, systems, and controls

How differing priorties and data center types change the electrical design

In this course we dive more deeply into the electrical and power systems and components that support data centers. With data centers using about 5% of the world’s energy and growing, these power systems are ever-expanding and improving. With the internet expected to be an essential part of our lives, the electrical infrastructure supporting the data centers that power the internet are becoming more essential to understand and support.

We will cover the many aspects of the most typical electrical systems and equipment for data centers, including teology, standards, acronyms, operation, efficiency, and more. Whether taking a walk through a data center or working in one every day, it is important to understand how the power around you is flowing to keep the internet humming along.

During the five lectures we will cover:

Concepts, path of power, and diagrams – typical electrical terms, power path from grid to chip, and redundancy levels

Voltages and primary equipment – AC/DC power, the major electrical equipment that supports all of the data center power needs

UPS systems and components – primary & secondary purposes, types, operations, and efficiencies

Power distribution – PDUs, RPPs, power monitoring, controls, receptacles & plugs

Conductors, conduits and breakers – protection devices, standards, sizing, switches and other devices

Architects

Eeering design professionals

Facilities operations

Contractors

Technicians

Electrical eeers, technicians, operators