Location of power distribution box in Swiss data center

Power distribution boxes in Swiss data centers are typically located in dedicated electrical rooms or along the perimeter of server halls, connected to transformers and PDUs to safely distribute low-voltage power to IT equipment.Typical PlacementIn most data centers, including those in Switzerland, the electrical distribution system follows a structured hierarchy:Medium Voltage (MV) Entry: The utility supplies medium voltage to the data center, often through a dedicated substation or pad-mounted transformer. Access to this equipment is restricted to utility personnel for safety reasons .MV/LV Transformers: Inside the data center, MV is stepped down to low voltage (LV) using transformers located in electrical rooms or secure utility areas .Power Distribution Units (PDUs) and Remote Power Panels (RPPs): From the LV side, power is routed to PDUs or RPPs, which are often positioned along the perimeter of server halls or within dedicated electrical corridors. These units distribute power to racks and IT equipment, sometimes with redundancy (2N or N+1) to ensure continuous operation .Rack-Level Distribution: Within server racks, smaller PDUs provide final distribution to individual servers and network devices. These are typically mounted vertically or horizontally inside the racks for easy access by IT staff .Redundancy and Safety ConsiderationsSwiss data centers often implement redundant power paths to maintain uptime, especially in Tier III or Tier IV facilities. This means there are two physically separated power distribution paths (Side A and Side B), each with its own set of PDUs and circuit breakers, ensuring that a failure in one path does not affect the IT load . Electrical rooms housing PDUs are designed with restricted access, fire suppression, and environmental monitoring to protect both personnel and equipment.SummaryIn summary, the power distribution boxes in Swiss data centers are generally located:In dedicated electrical rooms or corridors adjacent to server halls.Connected to MV/LV transformers for stepping down utility voltage.Integrated into redundant distribution paths to ensure continuous power to IT loads.Final distribution occurs via rack-mounted PDUs for individual servers. This layout ensures safety, reliability, and operational efficiency, which are critical for high-performance and secure data centers in Switzerland .