The rapid growth of data centers has made power management one of the most pressing challenges facing data center operators today. Artificial intelligence (AI) workloads require higher power density and more robust infrastructure. Electrical distribution equipment, such as power supply cords and cord sets, known in this industry as power whips, plays a vital role in data center operations and is a known contributor to outages, electrical fires and shock hazards. This highlights the urgent need for appropriate standards to support the safety and performance of these components, along with testing and certification to help manufacturers and data center stakeholders demonstrate compliance and mitigate operational and safety risks.
To help address this need, UL Solutions collaborated with cloud service providers and industry stakeholders to develop construction and performance requirements for power whips intended for use in data centers, resulting in UL 817A, the Outline of Investigation (OOI) for Data Center Power Whips.
At UL Solutions, we offer testing and certification to UL 817A — helping manufacturers and data center stakeholders advance the safety and performance of power distribution in high-demand, high-density environments.
Key aspects of UL 817A: Building on UL 817
UL 817A builds on the principles of UL 817, the Standard for Cord Sets and Power-Supply Cords, but accounts for the higher power levels typically used in data centers.
The scope of UL 817A includes the following:
- Products may employ fittings molded onto or assembled onto flexible cords or portable power cables.
- Joints are permitted.
- Products rated above 600 volts (V) or 95 amperes (A) are not intended for current interruption; those below these ratings can be evaluated for current interruption as needed.
- Products are intended for connecting equipment to branch circuits and interconnecting equipment — not for electrical services, feeders or as a substitute for premises wiring.
- An AC power whip may be investigated for use as a branch from a busway in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC), Article 368.56(B).
UL 817A also allows greater flexibility in cord type selection. Cords must meet specified requirements for maximum circuit-conductor ampacity and comply with the requirements of one of the following Standards:
- UL 62, the Standard for Flexible Cords and Cable
- UL 2263, the Standard for Electric Vehicle Cable
- UL 1650, the Standard for Portable Power Cable
- UL 2237, Outline of Investigation for Data Center Power Cables
Escalating energy challenges and the need for data center power whip testing and certification
With the rise of AI, machine learning (ML), edge computing and 5G, global data center electricity consumption is forecast to increase by as much as 165% by 2030 compared to 2023 levels. This trend underscores the critical need to reduce energy loss in data center power systems. AI workloads, in particular, have driven the shift toward high-voltage direct current (HVDC) architectures reaching up to 1,500 volts direct current (VDC), as legacy 48 VDC systems are less efficient for high-power workloads. HVDC systems offer improved efficiency over long distances, reduce energy loss and heat, and enable faster scaling — but they also introduce new safety and performance challenges.
To support modern HVDC architectures, power whips in data centers must be able to handle higher voltage and ampacity. UL 817A addresses this need: While UL 817 covers power supply cords and cord sets rated up to 600 V and 95 A, UL 817A expands this scope include power whips rated up to 2,000 V and 700 A).
Benefits of working with UL Solutions
As a global leader safety science, UL Solutions offers manufacturers and data center stakeholders comprehensive testing and certification for data center power whips. We were the first organization to develop safety requirements for these products specifically for data center applications. Our work includes shaping industry standards, creating Outlines of Investigation and refining testing protocols, including those related to the data center ecosystem — such as UL 1801, the Outline of Investigation for Power Distribution Centers for Communications Equipment; UL 9540, the Standard for Energy Storage Systems and Equipment; and UL 3223, the Outline of Investigation of Data Center Certification.
With deep technical knowledge of data center power supply infrastructure and a comprehensive portfolio of testing, certification and advisory services and software, we help manufacturers, asset owners, operators and system integrators navigate escalating energy demands and demonstrate compliance with evolving global requirements.
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