Vertiv and HARTING Unveil Data Center Rack Power Solution at OCP Summit
Accelerating Deployment with Smarter Power Distribution
HARTING and Vertiv have teamed up to introduce a new rack power solution designed to simplify and accelerate data center deployment.
At the heart of this innovation is the Above-Rack Vertiv Power Distribution Box (PDB), they've called SmartIT. Positioned above the rack, the PDB receives high-power input from facility-side tap boxes and distributes it efficiently to power shelves via HARTING
On the facility side, power enters the PDB via 4x100 amp connections, delivering a robust and scalable infrastructure. On the load side, HARTING’s Han-Eco® connectors provide flexible, industry-specific options for routing power into the cabinet.
Space-Efficient, High-Performance Connectivity
Vertiv selected HARTING for its ability to deliver compact, high-current connectors that outperform legacy solutions like IEC 60309. The Han® 32B connector, used between the OCP Busway and the PDB, is 8x smaller than traditional options and features a lever-latching design for easy installation and serviceability. This space efficiency was a key factor in winning the business — allowing more connectors to fit into a smaller footprint without compromising ruggedness or compliance.
From the PDB into the cabinet, the Han-Eco® 6B to ORv3 connectivity solution includes a flexible cable design that supports dense routing in constrained spaces. Instead of using stiff jacketed cables, HARTING’s solution employs flexible sleeving, enabling easier bends and navigation around other components.
Built for Speed, Flexibility, and Reliability
This collaboration aligns with the Open Compute Project’s mission to deliver scalable, open-source infrastructure.
As John Niemann, VP of Vertiv’s thermal business unit, noted:
“Meeting OCP standards is more than a compliance exercise; it’s about delivering infrastructure that performs at scale. By integrating rack, busway, cabling, and distribution into one ecosystem, Vertiv is offering customers a faster, more reliable path to deploy AI-ready capacity across their facilities.”
HARTING’s contributions go beyond hardware. With collaborative engineering support, modular design flexibility, and plug-and-play connectivity, HARTING helps customers reduce installation time, eliminate supply chain bottlenecks, and future-proof their data center operations.
William Stewart
Position: Senior Industry Segment Manager for Data Centers
- Company: HARTING
Will brings years of experience and expertise working with data center hyperscalers, builders, and standards organizations. He is an active collaborator within the Open Compute Project, presenting at many events on the future of data center connectivity.
