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As data center operation costs continue to skyrocket, data center managers have to ask the hard questions. Namely, how can stakeholders in this ever-growing industry maximize data center efficiency? Like any other massive operation, a data center is the sum of its parts – and the smallest parts are critical for an efficient operation. Are connectors a key to data center efficiency? Read on to find out.
Are Connectors a Key to Data Center Efficiency?
How Much Energy Do Data Centers Consume?
In a 2014 brief, the Natural Resources Defense Council reported that United States data centers consumed around 91 billion kilowatt-hours in 2013. At the time, annual consumption was projected to increase by 47 billion kilowatt-hours by 2020. The increased consumption makes sense: As we discussed back in 2020, cloud computing currently uses about 13 times the energy it did in 2012. And, according to Energy Innovation, global IP traffic – the amount of data traversing the internet – increased more than tenfold between 2010 and 2018. What does that mean for data center energy usage? To put it in simpler terms, a single large data facility can consume as much electricity as an entire U.S. city.
Improving Data Center Efficiency
The average data center’s energy requirements are staggering. Given that amount of energy consumption, data center managers must continue to strive for efficiency. But how can such an in-demand industry prioritize efficiency? An important part of the answer is surprisingly simple: by employing highly efficient electronics throughout the facility.
Even the smallest inefficient electronics can create large amounts of waste, which is given off as heat. That heat jeopardizes the delicate nature of a data center, which means the facility must use massive amounts of electricity to cool the machines. Fortunately, data centers have a variety of resources to improve overall efficiency. First, the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) offers efficiency best practices through the Center of Expertise (CoE) for Energy Efficiency in Data Centers. But data centers should also employ efficient technologies wherever possible – which is where power connectors come in. Though power connectors may be small in size, if they fail to optimize the linear current density (e.g. the number of amps transmitted per inch of connector space), this deficiency can lead to high life cycle costs, which far exceed the initial purchase cost savings of selecting a lower-performing connector. Selecting a power connector with inherent low contact resistance and optimal linear current density will dramatically reduce energy consumption and lead to cost savings.
How Positronic Supports Data Centers
Efficient power connectors are a key part of efficient data centers – and Positronic can help. Our power connectors meet all applicable data center safety standards and provide a secure, reliable, and consistent connection point. Positronic manufactures the most versatile power and signal connectors on the market, including the Scorpion series, which is a popular choice for data centers. Not only do Scorpion series connectors provide a lower cost per rack and lower cost per server, but also these connectors feature optimized power utilization. Additionally, Scorpion connectors are able to serve in an open standard setting. Within the Scorpion series, Positronic offers a number of diverse contact termination types including wire crimp, wire solder, PCB solder, and PCB press-fit. This flexibility allows us to meet exact application requirements to suit the needs of data centers of all sizes.
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As cloud computing becomes the undeniable norm, data centers are growing in size, capacity, and number. Fortunately, Positronic power connectors are keeping pace. Our connectors are configurable, reliable, and highly energy-efficient, helping data centers maximize their efficiency in a fast-paced world.
At Positronic, we believe in crafting versatile, high-quality connectors. Our design and manufacturing processes meet and often exceed our customers’ needs for quality and reliability. And to suit the needs of our varied customers, we have a plethora of options available. If you would like to request product recommendations, locate a sales agent, ask a technical question, or simply request a quote, please contact Positronic today.