ICT, Server, AI

Data Center · Server · Server Power Supply

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry is experiencing explosive growth. With the advent of 5G, applications like IoT, Smart Things, Big Data, and Smart Factories can exchange data rapidly via high-speed networks. What's becoming increasingly important is: where is all this data stored?

The answer is cloud data centers or company servers. Data centers have enormous power demands, and to significantly improve power efficiency while reducing heat dissipation costs, HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) power supply systems have emerged. The original power requirement was 48V, but now it's extending to 400VDC, impacting server power supplies, UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supplies), and grid components.

International Telecommunication Union standard ITU L.1200: Power feeding interface P for ICT equipment, Voltage: 260VDC ~ 400VDC
European Telecommunications Standards Institute standard ETSI EN 300 132-3-1: Power feeding interface A3 for ICT equipment, Voltage: 260VDC ~ 400VDC

To properly test these applications, you may need:

• A wide-range programmable DC power supply capable of providing various voltages and currents, such as the EA-PSI 10750-20 3U or the higher power EA-PSI 10080-340 3U.

• Also needed is a multi-channel power analyzer capable of handling high voltages, such as the Vitrek PA900.

• For hipot testing and ground bond testing, a safety analyzer with high current output is required, such as the Vitrek 952i.

Efficiency Measurement: Standby Power

Carbon emissions are a significant environmental concern. With hundreds of millions of electrical appliances and electronic devices in use worldwide, even a 1W reduction in power consumption per power module could lead to substantial energy savings and reduced carbon emissions.

Since 1999, efforts have been underway to encourage standby power consumption of less than 1W. Several initiatives, including Energy Star and EU energy efficiency directives, aim to lower standby power. These standards require standby and off-mode power consumption to be below 0.5W, with potential for even lower limits in the future. For example, the European Commission (EC) five-star rating for mobile device chargers requires standby power consumption to be less than 30mW.

Measuring 0.5W standby power requires an accuracy of at least 0.01W. But what about 30mW? For this, you need a high-precision power analyzer like the Vitrek PA900 series. It supports EN50564 testing requirements and offers features such as multi-phase measurement and long-term historical data logging.

A stable load current is essential. Having a stable or programmable load current addresses a significant portion of the challenge. At this point, you will need a programmable electronic load with a wide range of voltage and current inputs.