Data centers — the infrastructure of servers, storage systems, and networking equipment powering much of our modern technology — demand an enormous amount of electricity. With the rise of cloud computing, AI, and IoT-enabled devices, demand is increasing yearly; therefore, careful data center power management is essential to ensure better energy efficiency, controlled utility costs, and uninterrupted operations.
Although you might only think of servers at first when you read “data center,” many electrical devices are working behind the scenes to keep those servers running smoothly, including current sensors for measuring electricity, relays for power switching, and transformers for regulating voltages. This post will cover how these three devices help optimize data center power management and improve energy efficiency.
Functional Devices has been manufacturing current sensors, relays, and transformers for over 50 years! We’ve honed our designs into dependable, efficient, easy-to-install components ready to power data centers, building automation systems (BAS), lighting controls, and more. Contact us to learn more and speak to an engineer!
The Role of Current Sensors in Energy Management
To optimize energy usage in data centers, you must first know how much energy is used at any given point. Current sensors measure electrical currents flowing through circuits, translating them into measurable outputs like voltages or digital signals.
The real-time data a current sensor provides on energy consumption allows a data center manager to optimize power management in the following ways:
- Identify areas of high energy usage
- Make decisions that improve system efficiency and resource allocation
- Detect anomalies and potential problems in the electrical system
Optimizing power management in data centers is impossible without current sensors since no data or baseline informs the process.
Functional Devices’ RIBXGTA-ECM Current Switch has a very low current sensing capability and was specially designed for ECMs (Electronically Commutated Motors), which are associated with a new wave of very efficient HVAC systems, ideal for data center efficiency.
How Relays Enable Seamless Power Switching
Another important way to optimize data center power management is by ensuring a continuous power supply and balanced electrical loads. Nobody wants a spotty connection or slow performance in a data center. The power switching a relay performs means the data center gets the power it needs, in the amounts it needs, and when it needs it (especially if the relays are part of the BAS).
A relay is a sophisticated power switch that turns large currents on and off with only a small amount of electricity. Relays protect sensitive circuits, allow for the control of multiple circuits within a single input, isolate high-power and low-power systems from each other, and switch complex operations with minimal power consumption.
Energy needs proper distribution in a data center to prevent issues, and a relay’s automatic power switching helps do that. Good energy distribution optimizes power management by:
- Preventing overloading circuits, failures, and equipment damage
- Ensuring reliable operations
- Improving fault tolerance and detection
- Maximizing efficiency
- Minimizing downtime
Our RIBTW2421B-BCIP is a BACnet/IP Relay ideal for various applications in data centers, ensuring seamless power switching and maximum efficiency.
Transformers: Ensuring Proper Voltage Regulation
Finally, let’s talk about transformers. These devices regulate and convert voltages, amplifying (“stepping up”) or downgrading (“stepping down”) as needed. They play an essential role in improving efficiency and extending the lifespan of a data center.
Imagine your data center taking energy from the grid but with voltages that are much too high to power the sensitive equipment necessary for successful operations. The voltage regulation provided by a transformer protects while improving energy distribution.
In addition, transformers optimize energy management in data centers in the following ways:
- Maintain stable voltage levels for sensitive and critical equipment
- Minimize energy loss due to voltage fluctuations
- Work with relays to balance loads
- Improve performance and efficiency
Functional Devices’ TIB100A is the first-of-its-kind housed DIN rail-mountable power supply, an ideal choice for data centers to power thermostats, relays, contactors, zone control dampers, electronic locks, card readers, temperature sensors, humidity controllers, and emergency notification devices.
Optimal Data Center Power Management & Energy Efficiency with Functional Devices
Proper energy management is crucial because data centers require a lot of power and run 24/7. Current sensors, relays, and transformers work together to optimize power distribution by creating an efficient, responsive energy system. The real-time data from current sensors and the coordinated switching of relays and transformers optimize energy usage, reduce operating costs, provide better power quality and reliability, and lower carbon emissions.
Integrating high-quality current sensors, relays, and transformers into your data center makes a watt of sense. It doesn’t have to be complicated with a partner like Functional Devices. We stand by our products, testing each one before it leaves our facility. Explore our different options and reach out to us with your questions.
About Functional Devices, Inc.
Leaders in the Industry
The world was a very different place in 1969, when Functional Devices, Inc. was founded by engineer and electronics enthusiast Albert Rittmann, but our commitment to evolution and versatility has allowed us to remain a key player in the building automation and lighting controls industry for over 55 years.
Today, as we embrace emerging technology and lean into the future of building automation, our products are still manufactured in the USA with global materials, and we are still committed to our mission of enhancing lives in buildings and beyond. Back in 1969, Albert could never have predicted the technological advances we live with today, but with the groundwork he laid and the vision of his successors, Functional Devices has adapted and grown into a company that can handle anything.