Power Distribution Modules for OCP and Custom Server Platforms
Power distribution modules (PDMs) distribute AC power from a single high-current input to multiple branch circuits within a server chassis, storage platform, or rack-mount enclosure. They are used in OCP (Open Compute Project) server platforms, custom AI server chassis, high-density blade systems, and storage arrays where a standard rack PDU cannot be used due to form factor or integration requirements. PDMs are specified by input configuration, output branch circuit count, overcurrent protection type, monitoring capability, and form factor.
How It Works
A PDM receives high-current AC power at its input and distributes it to multiple branch circuits through overcurrent protection devices (MCBs, fuses, or electronic protection). Each branch circuit feeds a power supply unit (PSU) or other load within the chassis. Optional monitoring electronics measure current, voltage, and power on each branch circuit and communicate via I2C, SMBus, or Ethernet to the chassis management controller (CMC) or DCIM platform. PDMs are designed to the mechanical form factor of the chassis — OCP, custom, or rack-mount.
Applications
- OCP server platform power distribution in hyperscale data centers
- Custom AI server chassis power distribution for GPU clusters
- High-density blade server and storage array power distribution
- Custom rack-mount power distribution for specialised equipment
- HPC cluster node power distribution
- Edge computing platform power distribution
- OEM server and storage platform manufacturing
- Custom data center infrastructure projects
Key Technical Specifications
| Form Factors | OCP 19" Open Rack, custom chassis-mount, 1U/2U rack-mount |
| Input Voltage | Three-phase 208V (60Hz), 400V/415V (50Hz); single-phase 208V/240V |
| Input Current | 32A to 125A — model dependent |
| Output Branches | 4 to 24 branch circuits — specify count and current per branch |
| Overcurrent Protection | MCB, fuse, or electronic overcurrent protection per branch |
| Monitoring | Optional per-branch current, voltage, power; I2C, SMBus, Ethernet |
| Communication | I2C, SMBus, IPMI, Ethernet — model dependent |
| Cooling | Passive (convection) or active (fan-cooled) — specify |
| Redundancy | Dual-input A+B redundancy — model dependent |
| Standards | UL 60950, IEC 60950, CE — confirm by model and market |
Specifications are indicative. Final parameters depend on manufacturing partner and project configuration. Contact us with your specific requirements.
Available Configurations
- OCP 19" Open Rack PDM — for OCP server platform deployments
- Custom chassis-mount PDM — for custom AI server and storage chassis
- Rack-mount 1U/2U PDM — for standard rack deployments
- MCB-protected branches — for resettable overcurrent protection
- Fuse-protected branches — for fast-acting overcurrent protection
- Electronic overcurrent protection — for programmable trip levels
- With per-branch monitoring — for DCIM and CMC integration
- Dual-input A+B redundancy — for high-availability applications
- Three-phase input — for balanced three-phase loading
- Single-phase input — for single-phase branch circuit feeds
Materials
Operating Conditions
- Input voltage: confirm three-phase or single-phase and nominal voltage
- Input current: size PDM for 80% of rated input current at maximum continuous load
- Branch count: specify number of branch circuits and current rating per branch
- Overcurrent protection: MCB for resettable protection; fuse for fast-acting; electronic for programmable
- Monitoring: specify per-branch monitoring and communication protocol for CMC/DCIM integration
- Form factor: provide chassis mechanical drawing for custom form factor PDMs
- Redundancy: specify dual-input A+B redundancy for high-availability applications
- Standards: specify UL, CE, or other certifications for the target market
Selection Guide
PDM selection requires: (1) Form factor — OCP 19" Open Rack for OCP deployments; custom chassis-mount for custom server platforms; rack-mount for standard rack deployments; (2) Input configuration — three-phase or single-phase, voltage, current rating, and input connector type; (3) Branch configuration — number of branch circuits, current rating per branch, and output connector type; (4) Overcurrent protection — MCB for resettable; fuse for fast-acting; electronic for programmable trip levels; (5) Monitoring — specify per-branch monitoring and communication protocol for CMC/DCIM integration; (6) Redundancy — dual-input A+B for high-availability applications.
OEM & Custom Manufacturing
Custom PDM designs are available for OEM server platform and data center infrastructure manufacturers. Custom options include non-standard form factors, custom branch configurations, specific overcurrent protection types, custom monitoring and communication protocols, OEM firmware, and high-volume manufacturing. Provide your chassis mechanical drawing, input specification, branch requirements, and monitoring requirements for a custom PDM design review.
Submit Custom RequirementQuality & Testing
PDMs for data center use should be sourced from manufacturers with UL 60950 or IEC 60950 certification. Overcurrent protection devices should be rated for the branch circuit current and the available fault current at the PDM input. For high-availability applications, specify dual-input A+B redundancy with automatic transfer. Monitoring electronics should be validated for compatibility with the target CMC or DCIM platform before procurement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a PDM and a rack PDU?
A rack PDU is a standard product designed to mount in a 19" rack and distribute power to equipment via C13/C19 or NEMA outlets. A PDM is a custom or semi-custom product designed to integrate into a specific server chassis, storage platform, or OCP rack. PDMs are typically designed to the mechanical form factor of the chassis and may use non-standard connectors, monitoring interfaces, and overcurrent protection types. PDMs are used when a standard rack PDU cannot be used due to form factor or integration requirements.
What is an OCP PDM and what is the OCP 19" Open Rack standard?
The Open Compute Project (OCP) 19" Open Rack is an open-source server rack standard developed by Facebook (Meta) for hyperscale data centers. OCP PDMs are designed to the OCP 19" Open Rack mechanical and electrical specifications, providing power distribution to OCP server sleds. OCP PDMs typically accept three-phase 208V or 277V/480V input and distribute power to multiple server sleds via standardised connectors. OCP PDMs are used in hyperscale data centers deploying OCP server platforms.
Can PDMs be designed for custom AI server chassis?
Yes. Custom PDMs can be designed for any server chassis form factor. Provide your chassis mechanical drawing, input specification (voltage, current, connector type), branch requirements (count, current per branch, connector type), and monitoring requirements (protocol, parameters). A custom PDM design review will confirm feasibility and provide a design proposal and quotation.
What monitoring interfaces are available on PDMs?
PDMs can be equipped with I2C or SMBus interfaces for integration with chassis management controllers (CMC), IPMI interfaces for server management integration, or Ethernet interfaces for DCIM integration. The monitoring electronics measure current, voltage, power, and energy on each branch circuit and make the data available to the management interface. Confirm the required monitoring interface with your CMC or DCIM platform vendor before specifying a PDM.
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