Let’s say a server rack is installed with power strips that offer a 20 amp capacity, and it’s up to you to figure out how many servers you can safely plug into that strip. You need to know how to measure or plan usage based on these figures. These formulas are important since server power is often referred to in watts or amps and capacity in volts or amps. When the utility company sends your electric bill, it probably lists how many kWh you consumed last month. Watts are often measured in kilowatts (kWh) or even megawatts (MW) in the case of huge data centers. This means the amount of power is equal to the pressure times the current.įor example, a server hooked into a 120 volt outlet running at 3.2 amps would consume 384 watts. I realize this is a bit ambiguous, but the goal here is to focus more on volts than ohms, at least when it comes to data center power. 25 amps being resisted by 12 ohms would result in 3 volts. This means the electrical “pressure” is equal to the current times the resistance.įor example. In the case of the workstation I mentioned above, it uses 300 watts on a 120 volt outlet, so therefore draws 2.5 amps. This means the electrical current is equal to the power used divided by the “pressure” at hand. The following three formulas can be useful in quantifying these terms (note that fixed voltage is required for these to be reliable). A heavily loaded server might use 450-500 watts or more. Watts: The actual electrical power at hand that is used by a device such as a server or network switch.Defined as “the amount of resistance that allows one ampere of current to flow when one volt of potential is applied to it.” Ohms: The resistance that slows electrical current, causing impediment (perhaps due to the size of the path).Many of the household devices we use every day run at 120 volts. A higher number is better since this achieves better electrical efficiency. A server may have an electric plug rated for 110 or 120 volts (but can run at differing levels of voltage). Volts: Often referred to as the “pressure” pushing amps through a designated path.A wall outlet might be rated for 15 amps and a workstation plugged into it may consume 2.5 amps, leaving a comfortable margin. Many devices are rated based on the amps they use or can support (such as outlets or circuit breakers). Amps (amperes): The actual electrical current, or moving electrons, coming through the power lines. Figuring out the difference between them can be a challenge if you’re not an electrician or into DIY home repair, but it’s really quite easy. The basics Amps, volts, ohms, and wattsĮlectricity is measured in amps, volts, ohms, and watts. Don’t worry this won’t be a boring analysis of terms better suited for an engineering or a science class, but rather a subjective analysis with real-world examples. What kind of electricity does it take to keep a data center going? Let’s take a look in layman’s words. A server without electricity is just a heap of metal parts, useless for anything other than anchoring boats. Those lightning-fast servers with super-smart CPUs, heaps of memory, and acres of storage get all the fame of a star quarterback, but they couldn’t do their jobs without the underlying power behind them. Like many IT departments, electricity is often an unsung hero in the computing realm. Learn more about the power needed to keep that data center running. How power works in a data center: What you need to knowĮlectricity is often one of the least visible elements of a shiny, state-of-the-art data center.
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