Phase-Based Power Capacity Calculation for Data Center Rack Equipment Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data center managers face challenges in accurately determining the available power capacity of a phase in a data center rack, leading to potential power outages and inefficiencies due to the complexity of power distribution systems and varying load conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that meter the power supply and calculate the average peak power draw per phase, allowing for precise determination of available power capacity and optimal placement of new equipment by using phase-based power capacity calculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual trial and error methodology is used to determine power capacity, then equipment can be added to racks, but power outages and breaker trips occur due to inaccurate load assessment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment addition capabilityVSAvoidpower supply stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary power capacity calculations before equipment is actually added to racks. It meters current power consumption, calculates average peak power draw per phase, and determines available power capacity in advance, preventing breaker trips and outages before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously meters power consumption from power supplies and uses this feedback to dynamically calculate available power capacity. This real-time feedback mechanism allows accurate assessment of whether additional equipment can be safely added without causing overloads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of manufacture

If equipment manufacturers' reported power consumption data is used, then equipment placement can be planned, but inaccurate power capacity determination occurs due to reliance on specifications rather than actual measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment placement planningVSAvoidpower capacity measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses power meters integrated into the power supply infrastructure to automatically measure actual power consumption. This self-measuring approach eliminates reliance on manufacturer specifications and provides precise, real-time data about actual power draw and available capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If total power capacity is monitored without phase-based analysis, then overall power availability can be assessed, but inaccurate phase load distribution occurs leading to uneven phase loading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetotal power capacity monitoringVSAvoidphase load distribution accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the power analysis by measuring and calculating power consumption for each phase separately. It determines average peak power draw per phase and evaluates available power capacity on a per-phase basis, enabling accurate phase load distribution assessment and balanced equipment placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9043173B2Methods and systems for managing facility power and cooling

Publication Date: 2015.05.26 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORP

AI summary

A method and corresponding apparatus provide a determination of available power capacity of a phase of a power supply in a data center rack. The method includes metering the power of a power supply and calculating an average peak power draw per phase of the power supply. Using average peak power draw per phase of the power supply and the expected power draw data corresponding to data center equipment coupled to the power supply, the available power capacity can be calculated on a per phase of the power supply. A method and corresponding apparatus for managing data center equipment may use the phase based available power capacity calculations to determine the optimal placement of new data center equipment within a data center configuration.