Title: Power Load and Phase Balancing
Course: 2016FA-MCO-110-401 > Section: Module 11: Data Centers

Click here for a downloadable version of this document:(EXTERNAL) Power Load and Phase Balancing

Power Load Balancing

Power distribution throughout the data center should be balanced as much as possible to provide equal load and wear on the associated infrastructure. Additionally, the heat density differences created by imbalanced loading throughout the data center floor will create significant inefficiencies in cooling demands. If hot spots cannot be avoided due to specific technology requirements, we should consider the use of additional spot cooling so we don’t have to excessively cool the rest of the space just to keep one area in specifications.

Phase Balancing

Phase balancing refers to the more detailed practice of balancing the power draw from different phases of power delivered to individual cabinets. Typically 3-phase power is split at the cabinet level to provide a single phase to each (or a set of) rack. 3-phase breakers can develop hot spots of the draw is not somewhat balanced across the terminals of each phase.

Load Shedding

Load shedding is a system or protocol in which certain non-critical loads can be simultaneously or sequentially de-energized during utility events to conserve emergency power sources. When a utility loss occurs, general facility (admin spaces) loads may be immediately shed. If the generators fail to start and we’re relying on UPS battery power, portions of the critical cooling system may be shed maintaining only the data center power and nominal air circulation.

Objectives met:
- C11
- 11.3
- 11.9