Schneider Electric announces the release of a new whitepaper, titled Short-Circuit, Coordination and Arc-Flash Studies for Data Centers: Best Practices and Pitfalls, written by Karl A. Homburg, P.E., of Schneider Electric Engineering Services. The paper is now available as part of the ever-growing online, technical library housed at Schneider Electric’s Data Center Solutions Web site: www.criticalpowernow.com.

The paper illustrates how data center power systems present unique challenges for the application of electrical equipment. These challenges, such as multiple operating modes, must be carefully implemented if the desired system performance under normal and abnormal conditions is to be achieved.  It also describes the challenges that a typical data center presents to the system study engineer, common pitfalls that must be avoided, and describes how a well-performed system study is crucial to the successful performance of a data center power system.

“A power system study is an extremely important document for any power system,” says Homburg. “Today even the smallest power systems are having power system studies performed to comply with more stringent codes and regulations, and because of the high reliability requirement imposed upon the operation of data centers, it is an absolute necessity.”

A power system study typically consists of short circuit, coordination, and arc-flash hazard studies.  While sometimes these individual areas may be considered separately, they are all interrelated and it’s recommended that these be performed at the same time, by the same entity, to ensure the most accurate results.

Data centers present additional challenges to the engineer tasked with performing a power system study, because many are served by multiple utility sources and generators that can be operated in several different configurations.  All configurations must be considered in order for the engineering study to completely predict the operation and identify any shortcomings in the power system.

The white paper is the latest in a series of online educational white papers and videos being offered by Schneider Electric Data Center Solutions in its Critical Power Technical Reference Repository. To view the resources found in the Repository click here.