Schneider Electric Presents 800V DC Architecture for AI Data Centers

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Schneider Electric Presents 800V DC Architecture for AI Data Centers

Published2026.08.05 08:42

Joint Development of 1.2MW-Class Sidecar with NVIDIA, Moving In-Rack Power Conversion Structure Externally

As power density in AI data centers surges to megawatt-class per rack, securing GPUs and the power supply architecture itself have emerged as key competitiveness factors. Schneider Electric proposes 800V DC architecture as an alternative to overcome the limitations of conventional AC-based low-voltage structures, and is advancing technology development and verification in collaboration with NVIDIA.

Schneider Electric officially proposed '800V DC architecture' on the 5th as a power supply structure suitable for high-density AI data centers.

Amid a trend where power density per rack exceeds 400kW and transitions to megawatt-class, the company explained that power conversion devices and cables and connectors concentrated inside the rack in AC-based structures hinder computing space and cooling efficiency.

800V DC can deliver megawatt-class power at low current, reducing cable losses, and by separating AC-to-DC conversion functions outside the IT rack, computing space and airflow within the rack can be secured, the company stated.

As a conversion method for existing facilities, rack-level conversion is proposed by placing a dedicated 'Power Rack' near the IT rack.

This approach can limit the scope of fault impact to individual racks when installation or configuration errors occur.

However, for stable deployment, integrated design and verification that links protection systems, grounding, energy storage devices, and upper and lower power facilities as a single system are necessary, the company added.

Schneider Electric is developing a maximum 1.2MW-class 800V DC sidecar for AI racks in collaboration with NVIDIA.

The sidecar integrates △modular power conversion shelves △protection and measurement systems △energy storage devices for short-term backup and load fluctuation response, and is also reviewing live swap functionality to replace power components without interrupting IT rack power.

At NVIDIA GTC in 2026, an 800V DC power infrastructure prototype for the Vera Rubin Ultra platform was demonstrated.

Schneider Electric stated that it will conduct short-circuit current and arc flash analysis, power system modeling and simulation, and performance verification through demonstration tests.

Ji-woong Kwon, CEO of Schneider Electric Korea, said, "800V DC conversion is a process of designing and verifying power conversion, protection, energy storage, and maintenance as a single system," and added, "By combining power infrastructure and liquid cooling, as well as software capabilities based on ETAP and AVEVA, we will support 800V DC conversion tailored to customers' workloads and availability objectives."

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