C H A P T E R 3 - Facility and System Requirements

C H A P T E R 3

Facility and System Requirements

This chapter details the power and grounding requirements for Sun Fire 15K/12K systems.

3.1 Facility Power Requirements

To prevent catastrophic failures, the design of the power system must ensure that adequate power is provided to your Sun Fire 15K/12K systems. Sun Microsystems recommends that all power circuits supplying power to the Sun Fire 15K/12K systems be derived from dedicated electrical distribution panels. Electrical work and installations must comply with applicable local, state, or national electrical codes.

Caution - System earth fault protection relies on the building circuit.

Sun Microsystems makes every effort to minimize the effects of power failures and interruptions to the hardware. Sun Fire 15K/12K systems have dual, redundant, current-sharing power supply inputs, and are designed to use two independent power sources. However, if the system is subjected to repeated power interruptions and fluctuations, it is susceptible to a higher component failure rate than it would be with a stable power source. Provide a stable power source, such as an uninterruptible power system (UPS), to reduce the possibility of component failures.

The power supplies of the Sun Fire 15K/12K systems incorporate an inrush current limitation after the first power on. The maximum inrush current is 55 amperes peak, during hot or cold start (after the AC has been removed for 60 seconds) and 35 amperes root mean square, hot or cold, when measured over one line cycle. The inrush current decays to its normal operating current in less than 200 milliseconds.

FIGURE 3-1 lists the electrical specifications for the system cabinet. Use TABLE 3-2 to record the power cable requirements (see Appendix A for an expanded form to use and retain for your records). TABLE 3-3 provides a summary of features of the three power configurations. FIGURE 3-1, FIGURE 3-2, and FIGURE 3-3 illustrate the possible system power connections.

It is recommended that the system cabinet utilize a redundant power, double power source as shown in FIGURE 3-1.

It is recommended that the system cabinet utilize twelve single-phase receptacles. See TABLE 3-1.

An International Electrotechnical Commission 309 (IEC 309) connector, or NEMA L6-30P, supplied by Sun Microsystems, connects power to the system.

Sun Fire 15K/12K systems can operate while one power supply is being serviced and with two independent power sources as in FIGURE 3-1 as long as the systems stay under 20,000W DC power consumption as measured by the SMS command
showenvironment -p powers.

Sun Fire 15K/12K systems equipped entirely with 300-1705 (A196) power supplies add the capability to operate while one power supply is being serviced above 20,000 W but not coincident with a loss of one power source. Sun Fire 15K/12K systems equipped entirely with 300-1813 (A211) power supplies add the capability to operate with 1950Mhz USIV+Uniboards.

Sun Fire 15K/12K systems configured as in FIGURE 3-3 cannot operate above 20,000W DC power consumption while one power supply is being serviced.

TABLE 3-1 Facility Power Requirements
Electrical Service	Specification
System and I/O expansion racks require:
Voltage	200-240 VAC, single phase
Power factor	.99
Frequency	47-63 Hz
Circuit breaker :	Size for 24A maximum input per line cord according to local regulations
Volt-Ampere rating:	28,701 VA (Max Load)
Power cords (15 ft maximum)	15 ft (457 cm) connector-compatible drop cord
Receptacle: North America and Japan	AC input power cable, Harting Han 6HsB to NEMA L6-30P or equivalent (P/N 180-1943) AC Power Cord, Han 6HsB to NEMA L6-30P (US) 4M (P/N 180-1954) Power Cord, Blue 30A Watertight IEC 309 to Han 6HsB (P/N 180-2058) Power Cord, Blue 32A Watertight IEC 309 to Han 6HsB (P/N 180-2059)
Receptacle: International	AC input power cable, Harting Han 6HsB to IEC 309 (P/N 180-1944) AC Power Cord, Han 6HsB to Blue 32A IEC309 (Intl) (P/N 180-1955) Power Cord, Blue 30A Watertight IEC 309 to Han 6HsB (P/N 180-2063) Power Cord, Blue 32A Watertight IEC 309 to Han 6HsB (P/N 180-2064)

TABLE 3-2 Facility Power Cable Requirements Worksheet
Frame Type	Number of Cabinets		Number of Poles		Number * of Cords		Single Phase	3 Phase
System Cabinet (Single Phase)	____	x	2	x	__	=	____	n/a
Total number of poles required
* Contact a Sun Microsystems System Engineer for power cord quantity/receptacle information to ensure the receptacle prepared matches the power cord that was ordered.

FIGURE 3-1 Sun Fire 15K/12K Systems Power Connections--Redundant Power, Double Power Source (Power Source A and B)

Figure showing the system power connections for redundant power (double power source). [ D ]

FIGURE 3-2 Sun Fire 15K/12K Systems Power Connections--High-Reliability Power, Single Power Source (One Power Source)

Figure showing the system power connections for high-reliability power using a single power source. [ D ]

FIGURE 3-3 Sun Fire 15K/12K Systems Power Connections--Basic Single Power, Single Power Source (One Power Source, No Redundancy, Not Advisable)

Figure showing the system power connections for basic single power (no redundancy, not advisable). [ D ]

TABLE 3-3 Power Configuration Summary
Configuration	Protection From Loss of Internal Power Supply	Protection From Loss of External Source of Power
Redundant (FIGURE 3-1)	Yes	Yes, one of two sources
High reliability (FIGURE 3-2)	Yes	No, only one source
Basic (FIGURE 3-3)	Yes	No, only one source

3.2 Cabinet Grounding Requirements

The Sun Fire 15K/12K systems achieve earth ground through the power cords. For this reason, a gounding cable is not provided with the system. The power cords have three prongs: two for current and one for ground. At the AC input module, the ground prong, and system chassis are connected. Final chassis ground is achieved when the power cord is connected to a receptacle, where the ground prong contacts the power receptacle. For successful grounding, the customer must provide properly grounded power receptacles so the power distribution unit (PDU) ground is earth ground.

A ground cable may be affixed to the system. While not required, the additional ground point allows leakage current to dissipate more efficiently. It is important to note that power cords are grounded through the receptacle and the ground cable must reference a common earth ground. Otherwise, a difference in ground potential can be introduced.

Caution - If the customer is unsure of the facility PDU receptacle grounding, do not install a ground cable until a proper PDU receptacle grounding has been confirmed. If a difference in ground potential is apparent, corrective action must be taken.

Use the following procedures to properly ground the Sun Fire 15K/12K systems.

Note - You can use the A-series circuit breaker (Carlingswitch, part number: AF3-X0-06-184-X13-D, or equivalent) if a PDU is used between the Sun Fire 15K/12K systems and the facility power system.

1. Ensure the customer has properly grounded PDUs in the data center. The PDU must be earth ground.

2. Ensure all grounding points (raised floors and power receptacles) reference PDU ground.

Note - The customer needs to procure the grounding cable. A grounding cable is not shipped with the system.

3. Attach the ground cable to the system, behind the kick plate, at the bottom of the frame base as shown in FIGURE 3-4.

FIGURE 3-4 Ground Cable Attachment Point at System Cabinet

Figure showing the system ground cable-attachment point at the base of the cabinet.

4. The ground cable attaching area might be a painted surface. Ensure metal-to-metal solid contact is made for this installation.