In data centres where uptime is critical, residual current monitoring is often overlooked. Schleifenbauer offers a smart and safe solution: an integrated Residual Current Sensor (RCS) within the PDU.
In the world of data centres, reliability and safety are paramount. While overcurrent protection and energy efficiency often receive much attention, residual current – electrical leakage to earth – remains an underrated risk. Schleifenbauer addresses this with an optional Residual Current Sensor (RCS), fully integrated into the PDU.
But what exactly does an RCS do? And why is it so relevant for today’s data centre infrastructure?
Residual current refers to unwanted electrical current leaking to protective earth. This can occur due to:
• damaged insulation or faulty equipment,
• installation or assembly damage,
• or simply from normal leakage currents generated by switch-mode power supplies (SMPS), which are common in IT equipment.
These small leakages are usually harmless on their own but can accumulate – or mask a much more serious fault. Early detection is therefore crucial.
In conventional installations, a residual current device (RCD) trips the power when leakage exceeds a threshold (e.g. 30 mA). While this is appropriate in homes or offices, it’s undesirable in a data centre, where continuous availability is essential.
Automatic shutdown – even if well-intentioned – puts uptime at risk. A single RCD trigger can take down an entire rack, potentially causing service disruptions, SLA breaches, and emergency repairs.
Residual Current Monitoring (RCM), by contrast, is continuous, non-intrusive, and alert-based. It enables early warnings, trend analysis and predictive maintenance – without interrupting the power supply.
That’s why in countries like Germany and Belgium, RCM is legally required in data centres as an alternative to forced disconnection.
Monitoring at the main distribution board or UPS level tells you little about the actual source of the problem. Residual current often results from multiple sources, making it impossible to know whether a high reading is due to several minor leaks – or one serious fault.
By placing residual current sensors directly in the PDU, you gain detailed insight per rack or segment. This allows you to:
• localise faults more quickly,
• perform targeted maintenance,
• run safety assessments per rack,
• and comply with RCM regulations.
For technicians or operators working in the room, high residual current can pose a real risk of electric shock or fire, even if everything looks normal at first glance.
Schleifenbauer PDUs can be equipped with a built-in Residual Current Sensor, based on advanced closed-loop fluxgate technology.
Key features include:
• Class B monitoring (EN 62020-1): suitable for AC, DC and pulsed DC
• True RMS measurements up to 1 kHz
• Automatic self-test and degaussing every 6 hours
• Measurement range: 5–500 mA with ±2% accuracy at 50–60 Hz
• Data available via SNMP or MODBUS/TCP
• Full integration with Schleifenbauer’s EnerTree DCEM platform
Unlike external clamp-based systems, the sensor is fully embedded in the PDU – with no additional cabling or installation required.
Consider enabling RCS in your PDU if:
• you operate in a country where RCM is legally required,
• you need to log or report residual current data for audits or internal safety standards,
• you run high-density power loads per rack where early warnings are vital,
• you want to enhance predictive maintenance and fault diagnostics through deeper electrical insight.
Residual current monitoring is more than just a safety feature. It allows you to:
• make your infrastructure more transparent and intelligent,
• prevent incidents before they occur,
• and still uphold your uptime objectives.
With a Schleifenbauer PDU including RCS, you protect not only your personnel and hardware – but also lay the groundwork for proactive, scalable, and safe power distribution in the data centre.
Whether you’re designing a new setup, working towards compliance, or aiming to enhance your maintenance strategy – Schleifenbauer offers a reliable and fully integrated solution.
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