Why is medium voltage (MV) power supply preferred in data centers?

Medium voltage supply offers the advantage of transmitting high power demands with low current. This allows for smaller cable cross-sections, reduced transmission losses, and increased energy efficiency. It also offers greater flexibility in terms of grid independence and power quality control. Medium voltage supply is generally standard in data centers with capacities above 1 MW.

What is the function of an ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch)?

ATS enables automatic switching between two independent power sources, such as the grid and a generator. When a grid outage is detected, the generator kicks in, and the ATS automatically transfers the load to the backup source. When the grid returns, the reverse transfer takes place. This process is completed within milliseconds.

What is the difference between a busbar system and cable wiring?

Busbar trunking systems offer high current carrying capacity, compact design, easy installation, and modular expansion capabilities. They take up less space than cable routing and are easy to maintain. Busbars are particularly preferred in high-current lines between the main distribution panel and the UPS.

Why is harmonic filtering necessary?

Nonlinear loads such as UPS systems, frequency converters, and switch-mode power supplies generate harmonic currents in the power grid. These harmonics can cause transformer heating, neutral conductor overload, and false triggering in protection systems. Active or passive harmonic filters reduce the THD (Through Rate of Death) to acceptable levels.

What is selectivity and why is it critical in a data center?

Selectivity is the coordination of protection that ensures only the protection device closest to the fault is activated in the event of a failure. With proper selectivity design, a failure in one cabinet does not affect the entire data center; only the affected circuit is isolated. This is a critical engineering requirement for maintaining data center uptime.

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Data Center MV/LV Power Infrastructure Solutions

From medium-voltage switchgear to low-voltage panel systems, busbar lines to compensation solutions, we reliably build the power backbone of your data center.

Reliable Energy Distribution Infrastructure

Data centers require a reliable and scalable power distribution infrastructure to continuously power high-density IT loads. Medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) systems are the critical backbone that ensures power from the grid is safely delivered to each server cabinet within the data center.

In Türkiye, data centers are generally powered by 36 kV or 10 kV medium voltage and converted to 0.4 kV low voltage via transformers. Compliance with international standards such as IEC 61936 (MV installations), IEC 61439 (LV switches), and IEC 60364 (LV installations) is essential for both safety and operational reliability. At ALZ Technology, we design and implement your energy distribution infrastructure in accordance with these standards.

Our Energy Infrastructure Solutions

ALZ Technology designs, supplies, and implements all MV and LV components that form the power backbone of your data center, all from a single source. With our project-based engineering approach, we offer solutions tailored to the unique requirements of each facility.

MV switchgear (36 kV, 10 kV): Safe power supply and distribution with gas-insulated (GIS) and air-insulated (AIS) medium voltage switchgear, protection relays, and measuring transformers.
Low Voltage Main Distribution Boards (MDB): Type-tested, IEC 61439 compliant main distribution boards provide high short-circuit resistance and safe power distribution.
Automatic transfer switches (ATS): Transfer switching systems that provide automatic switching between mains and generator power sources, with response times in the order of milliseconds.
Energy distribution busbar systems: Distribution solutions offering high current carrying capacity, easy installation, and ease of maintenance with compact busbar trunking lines instead of cables.
Cable infrastructure and cable management systems: Safe cable management with fire-resistant MV/LV cable selection, cable tray and ladder systems, and cable penetration fire barriers.
Grounding and lightning protection: Personnel safety and equipment protection through conductive mesh grounding networks, lightning protection systems, and equipotential bonding solutions.
Reactive power compensation systems: Power factor correction and energy cost optimization with automatic compensation panels and thyristor-switched systems.
Harmonic filtering solutions: Eliminating harmonic pollution caused by UPS systems, frequency converters, and high nonlinear loads using active and passive harmonic filters.
Energy quality analysis and reporting: Voltage, current, harmonic, and flicker measurements using power analyzers; energy quality assessment and improvement recommendations under IEC 61000.
Selectivity and short-circuit calculations: Protection coordination studies, arc flash analysis, and selectivity tables to design a protection system that provides a minimum affected area in the event of a fault.

Power Distribution Architecture

The data center power distribution chain starts from the grid connection and gradually reaches the IT loads. In a typical architecture, the power flow occurs as follows: from the grid or independent power source to the medium-voltage switchgear, and then converted to low-voltage level via power transformers. At low voltage, the main distribution board (MDB) is the central distribution point of the power.

After the MDB, power is transmitted to the server cabinets via power distribution units (PDUs) through UPS systems. In facilities requiring high availability, this entire chain is replicated in a 2N architecture to create two independent power supply lines. This ensures that IT loads continue to operate uninterrupted even during component maintenance or failure.

Why ALZ Technology?

ALZ Technology, with its deep technical expertise in electrical engineering, manages end-to-end MV/LV energy infrastructure projects. Working with equipment from world-leading manufacturers such as ABB, Schneider Electric, Siemens, and Legrand, we ensure the best cost-performance balance in every project.

From feasibility and concept design to turnkey implementation, commissioning, and post-construction periodic maintenance, we are your single point of contact throughout the entire process. With the experience we have gained from projects completed across Turkey, we build your data center's energy backbone to be future-proof.

Our Related Solutions

The MV/LV power infrastructure forms the foundation of the data center power chain. UPS systems and uninterruptible power solutions built upon this infrastructure guarantee power continuity. We recommend exploring our precision climate control solutions to ensure IT equipment operates at optimum temperatures. For centralized monitoring and management of your entire power infrastructure, you can explore our DCIM/BMS/PMS software solutions .