What do we look for in terms of power requirements before we make it a ColoMax facility? Read below at our stringent requirements.

Power Systems

Internal power distribution system provides parallel redundant power paths for every major power circuit. Large trunk power paths are automatically switched. Should one path fail, loads are automatically transferred to alternate paths. All critical loads in the facility are capable of being routed through at least two separate power paths.

The following information describes ColoMax's Exodus/Cable & Wireless state-of-the-art power system in the Los Angeles Data Center.

• N + 1 redundancy in all systems
• Underground fuel supplies to support 40 hours of runtime at full facility deployment
• Dedicated 20 amp circuits with #10AWG (30 amp) wiring to customer racks, plug strips including dedicated neutrals feeding server racks
• Commercial grade hard wire rack mounted managed BayTech plug strips with 20 amp spec grade receptacles (multiple strips are available)

ColoMax’s IDC facility is among the first Internet data centers that utilize Continuous Power Supply (CPS) online generators. These state-of-the-art generators are part of an overall power system that cleans and conditions commercial electrical power to remove any irregularities in the signal.

All power is run through the CPS generators before being passed into the facility, this builds up momentum in the high-efficiency turbine. In the event of a loss of power from the grid, the momentum in the turbine ensures continuous power while the attached back-up generators come on-line. The back-up diesel generator can power the facility at full power for approximately 40 hours before fuel re-supply is necessary. This is an infinitely more efficient and reliable method than the standard UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems used in most of the facilities our competitors provide.

CPS Online Generator Unit

The fundamental design of the CPS system requires that all units be operated in synchronism at all times, both in Normal and Emergency operation. All primary load transfers take place downstream of the system switchgear, using static switch/dual input power distribution units (PDUs) for the critical loads, and dual fed automatic transfer circuit breaker pairs for the essential loads. Details include:

The primary two units operate in parallel module operation.

• All subsequent units operate as single module only, with two bypass sources, the output of the two paralleled units, and the utility supply.
• Each module supplies power to a nearly identical output switchboard that allows for switching of both the critical (no break) and essential (short break).
• The essential load will be normally powered by the utility supply, with the PGM output being switched on after ten seconds of a utility supply failure.
• The critical load will be supplied by the output of the PGM. Each switchboard will be fitted with dual bypass circuit breakers- a primary and secondary
• The primary bypass will be powered by the paralleled output of units 1 and 2. The secondary bypass will be powered by the utility supply.

Separate power grids must feed into every facility ColoMax utilizes. The grids are protected underground from the elements and other hazards. We also look for contracts with redundant fuel supply vendors that will deliver in a 4-hour window. All generators and CPS systems can be refueled while in operation.

Power Distribution

• Dual utility feeders
• Redundant power feeders to static transfer switches (STS) at each PDU in the co-location areas
• Split switchboard with draw-out breakers and tie-breakers
• -48V DC power plant with separate batteries and an A+B bus for redundancy
• Dual fed secondary switchboard
• Dual fed critical load distribution boards
• Full maintenance bypass feeders

We monitor all "no load test" on the generators every 7 days (The facility will start it up and let it run for at least 30 minutes without facility load). We also monitor the "load test" (or live test) of the generator every 30 days. This activity requires that we notify all clients connected to the circuit 72 hours prior to the test. All equipment is infrared scanned every 30 days.