Power cords are an often overlooked but essential part of any data centre or server room. Choosing the correct power cord for your equipment can help ensure that it functions safely and efficiently, while optimizing your server racks can help improve overall performance. 

SVT vs. SJT Power Cords 

When setting up a data centre, you need to consider power, and in most cases AC power is the way to go. It’s important to consider the type of power cord you use, for example, SJT or SVT, because it can have an effect of significant aspects such as durability, flexibility, and expense. 

It’s very common that people might resist transferring to SVT cords because they think thicker SJT cords are better, but that’s not always the case. Firstly, we must understand what these cables do: 

• Deliver power safely to components in the rack system. 

• Have the flexibility to be routed through racks and between delicate components. 
• Must be colour coded to assist with organization and prevent mistakes during moves and changes. 

If both cables serve these functions, why choose one over the other? 

SVT power cord advantage 

The thickness of the cords, which is the main distinction between SVT and SJT cords, is important. Both are portable, can be colour coded, easily withstand the heat of the data centre environment, and are capable of carrying the exact same loads. However, SJT cords have been standard for a long time, and their thickness indicates a level of toughness and durability, potentially indicating an advantage over SVT cables. 

On the other hand, SVT cables are thinner which means they have the ability to bend angles, take up less room and lighter. All these factors aid rack organisation and optimization. The most important difference between the two cables is the fact that SVT are cheaper, making a huge difference particularly when designing a new data centre.  

Power cords are only a small part of the picture 

When discussing power cords, it is vital to revisit some of the fundamentals of rack optimisation: 

• Use 28 AWG “skinny” patch cords, which are 36% thinner than other cables, allowing for high-density patch panels and more airflow. This change saves rack space and cuts the RU needed for patch panels in half. 
• Replace 1RU and 2RU horizontal cable managers with AnD Cable Products Zero U Cable Management Racks. These racks don’t take up valuable vertical space and can be installed in the same U as the device, saving significant rack space. 

By taking these steps, you can often double the number of ports you can fit in a single rack. This saves area, reduces the clutter of wiring, and allows you to strengthen density without sacrificing computing power or memory. 

There are also some tips you may want to consider relating to rack optimisation. For example, keeping it cool is essential overheating can cause equipment to fail or worse, catch fire. This could potentially lead to catastrophic events. This means that it’s important to optimise air flow within server racks. Use blanking panels to fill any unused spaces in the rack and direct airflow over equipment that generates more heat to put this into effect.  

Furthermore, monitoring performance can help identify potential issues before they become major problems. Consider using monitoring software or hardware to keep an eye on your equipment’s temperature, power usage, and other metrics. 

Optimizing other cables 

There are other steps you can take as well. Here are some additional steps to optimize your data centre cabling: 

• Optimize your Ethernet cables while considering power, latency, and reach. 
• Look into Direct Attach Copper (DACs), Active Optical Cables (AOCs), and fibre optic cable assemblies for optimization opportunities. 
• Keep up with innovations in cabling technology, such as plastic polymer cables. 

The most important thing you can do to optimize your data centre is to stay up to date with developing and evolving technology. There are always new and stimulating developments, such as faster and lighter cords and better power solutions. Make sure to consider ways to increase the efficiency of your data centre with each move or change, regardless of its size.  

Summary 

In conclusion, choosing the right power cord for your equipment is an important part of optimizing your data centre’s performance and efficiency. While SJT and SVT cords both serve the same purpose, the thinner and cheaper SVT cords offer several advantages in terms of flexibility and rack organization. However, optimizing your data centre goes beyond just power cords. Rack optimization, including using skinny patch cords and zero U cable management racks, monitoring performance, and optimizing other cables, is equally important. Keeping up with evolving technology is also crucial to ensure that your data centre remains efficient and effective. By implementing these steps, you can increase the density and efficiency of your data centre, while also ensuring safety and reducing the risk of equipment failure.