AI data centre connectivity for 1U power shelves, rack PDUs and tap-off boxes

Driven by AI and other factors, data centres are under constant pressure to increase capacity while reducing their physical footprint. Power shelves, tap-off boxes and power distribution units (PDUs) must handle ever-higher currents in increasingly narrow form factors. Every millimeter counts when rack space is one of the most valuable resources in a data centre.

With the Han-Eco® Size 4, HARTING introduces the first connector in the Han-Eco® series specifically suited to the power distribution challenges of modern data centres. With a current-carrying capacity of up to 70 A in a housing that is 20% smaller than the next larger size, it offers the advantages of the Han-Eco® family - lightweight design, reliability, and cost-effectiveness - for applications where no Han-Eco® solution previously existed.

With the rapid growth in data centres, the demand on connectors is also increasing. The Han-Eco® series, which is frequently used for data centre applications, is already offered by HARTING in various sizes.

Until now, the Han-Eco® range has not included a suitable slim connector, which is required in many data centre applications. The Han-Eco® 6B is simply too large for the increasingly narrow form factors of modern PDUs and power shelves. For environments where installation space is at an absolute minimum and high currents must be reliably transmitted, data centre operators had no Han-Eco® option to turn to.

Han-Eco® Size 4 changes this. It is the first Han-Eco® connector to address this gap directly: a compact, lightweight and cost-efficient solution that fits onto 1U power shelves, rack PDUs and tap-off boxes, whilst carrying currents of up to 70 A. The space saved within the rack can be used for additional compute capacity, cooling systems or other critical infrastructure.

By reducing the required installation space by up to 20% compared to the next larger size, Han-Eco® Size 4 already creates room for additional infrastructure within the rack. This space advantage is further reinforced by the energy efficiency of the 70 A contacts, which enable energy savings of up to 50%.

This is primarily due to the low impedance of the silver-plated power contacts compared to conventional CEE plugs. These contacts generate significantly less heat during operation, reducing energy losses directly at the point of connection. Less energy lost as heat means lower operating costs, a reduced thermal load on the overall system and a more sustainable data centre design without any compromise on performance.

A wide range of inserts from more than 150 different Han-Modular® connectors, including PE conductors, can be integrated. Thanks to its modular design, which allows combinations of power, signals or data, Han-Eco® Size 4 is a flexible, scalable and future-proof interface for data centre infrastructures.

This PDF White Paper will show you how connector selection can improve energy efficiency by up to 50%. Learn how HARTING connectors can improve your power usage efficiency (PUE) through minimising the power lost in your connections!

Han-Eco® Size 4 is designed for the key power distribution points within the data centre:

Power Shelves:

Compact power supply for compute and storage units within the rack

Tap-Off Boxes:

Reliable branching points for the transition between busbar systems and PDUs

Power Distribution Units (PDUs):

High-current distribution in increasingly narrow rack form factors