What Happens When the Power Goes Out at a Data Center?

At mission critical facilities, like data centers, it is very important that the power stays on in order for the business to stay running. However, what happens when the power goes out? This video describes the process that some facilities utilize to make sure power outages do not effect their client services.

[patrickwingert]

Of course, that all depends on keeping fuel flowing to the generators. Even though our DC has direct fuel lines to a large tank the minute the generators are on and stable an automated call is placed to start routing tanker trucks to our location. We are only allowed to cancel them once four tracks have shown up even if power has returned and the grid is stable. Those four tracks are on hold in our lot for 24 hours after the close of the initial event. They then get dispatched back to home base as one every four hours. Meaning that we have fuel coverage for forty hours past the tank capacity. We also have a four-bedroom crew bunker set up for the crew to wait in. It is set up like a high-security student dorm with its own security team.

[thafff]

In nominal mode, UPS in datacenters are configured to ensure a permanent double conversion (Grid/Gen AC to DC then DC to AC), to suppress the eventual imperfections of the incoming supply, and to ensure continuity of service in cases of brownouts.