Front-end technology takes on data center power

摘要

Today's front-end power supplies are using innovative designs and enhanced thermal management techniques to bring power density and efficiency levels to new highs and form factors to new lows. As a result, data centers are experiencing significant cost benefits by saving on rack space, reducing heat dissipation and lowering their overall energy consumption. Leading-edge ac/dc front ends are packing power densities of 27 W/in.3 and providing up to 2,500 W of output power in a 1U package. Used in a four bay, 1U power shelf, parallel units can supply scalable power up to an astonishing 10,000 or 7,500 W in n+1 redundant architecture - figures unheard of just a few short years ago. Even more impressive is their ability to provide high-efficiency operation under light-load conditions. Front ends now achieve efficiencies of 90% starting at 20% load without sacrificing full-load operation.