Should data center racks use 48V power shelves?

For instance, power supply firm Advanced Energy welcomed the inclusion of 48V power shelves: "Traditionally, data center racks have used 12V power shelves, but higher performance compute and storage platforms demand more power, which results in very high current.

Why do data centers use 48V power systems?

Unlike the traditional 12 V DC power distribution historically utilized in data centers, 48V systems reduce currents and minimize resistive losses throughout the rack. More efficient architectures also require less overall wiring, enabling data center operators to save on traditionally significant copper costs.

What is Google's 48V rack power architecture?

In 2016, Google introduced a 48V rack power architecture designed to replace traditional 12V systems, marking a major shift in datacenter design. Google's 48V system was developed to meet the power demands of modern high-performance computing, particularly in applications requiring GPUs and other power-hungry accelerators.

What are the advantages of a 48V rack power architecture?

A primary advantage of implementing 48 V rack power architectures is the improved energy efficiency they provide. Unlike the traditional 12 V DC power distribution historically utilized in data centers, 48V systems reduce currents and minimize resistive losses throughout the rack.