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Power

Required Power

What is it?

The electricity needed to operate all IT and supporting equipment.

Theoretical Definition

The total electrical load required for IT hardware + support systems, including redundancy (UPS, generators).

Why is it Important?

• Downtime risk: Power loss = service outage.
• Redundant power ensures business continuity.
• Major cost factor in OPEX.

How is it Planned?

• Estimate rack power (3–5 kW typical, 10+ kW high density).
• Deploy UPS, generators (N+1, 2N redundancy).
• Use PDUs for safe distribution.

Impact Down the Line

Under-provisioning = outages; over-provisioning = wasted CAPEX.
High consumption = poor efficiency (high PUE).

Real World Example

In 2017, British Airways lost ~$100M after a power surge crippled its data center, halting flights worldwide.

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