How Schleifenbauer’s NZVS Technology Protects Your Power Infrastructure. As data centres become more power-dense and sensitive to even the slightest disturbances, controlling how and when power is delivered is just as important as how much is delivered. This is where Schleifenbauer’s Near-Zero Voltage Switching (NZVS) makes a crucial difference — particularly in our Switched and Managed PDU models.
The Hidden Risk: Inrush Currents and Relay Damage
Most IT equipment today includes switch-mode power supplies with large capacitors and EMC filters. These components can cause inrush currents — extremely brief but intense current spikes — during switch-on. In one test from our whitepaper, a simple 65W laptop adapter created a shocking 150 A peak when switched on at the top of the AC sine wave. That’s over 450 times higher than its steady-state operating current.
Such spikes can:
Schleifenbauer’s Solution: NZVS, Bi-Stable Relays and Switching Delay
Schleifenbauer Switched and Managed PDUs are designed to neutralise inrush risks by combining three key technologies:
1. Near-Zero Voltage Switching (NZVS)
Our PDU firmware actively monitors the AC waveform and switches outlets precisely when the voltage crosses zero. This drastically reduces the inrush current — in the same 65W adapter test, switching at the zero point reduced the peak from 150 A down to just 35 A, with no distortion or oscillation.
2. Bi-Stable Relays
Unlike traditional relays that consume power continuously, bi-stable relays only use energy during switching. They also generate significantly less heat and mechanical wear. This means:
3. Outlet Switching Delay
Schleifenbauer PDUs allow for programmable switching delays between outlets. This ensures:
Why It Matters in Today’s Data Centres
Failing to manage inrush currents effectively can result in:
By integrating NZVS, Schleifenbauer prevents these issues before they occur — making remote switching not just convenient, but safe and reliable.
Summary: A Smarter, Safer PDU
With Schleifenbauer’s Switched and Managed PDU’s, you get:
In a world where uptime is everything, don’t let inrush currents compromise your rack.
Choose Schleifenbauer – engineered for control, built for resilience.
Want to learn more or test it yourself? Email sales@schleifenbauer.eu or call +31 73 523 0256.
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