By Margaret Gross, Principal, Power Solutions, LLC
GPU-dense AI compute racks present design parameters that fall outside the assumptions built into most existing data center infrastructure. Specifying power and cooling for an AI retrofit — or designing new capacity to support AI from the ground up — requires understanding how these loads differ from conventional IT and what Schneider Electric’s modular solutions provide at the infrastructure level.
The following is a technical summary of EcoStruxure Data Center Pods and the Smart-UPS Modular Ultra 5–20kW in the context of AI retrofit applications. Power Solutions is available to support basis-of-design decisions, provide product specifications and submittals, and assist with system-level design questions.
The Solutions
Solution | Best Fit | Key Capability |
EcoStruxure Data Center Pods | Full data center buildout or capacity expansion in an existing facility | Pre-engineered, pre-tested modular infrastructure — power, cooling, and physical security in a single deployable pod. Configurable for air-cooled or liquid-cooled environments. |
Smart-UPS Modular Ultra 5–20 kW | Single-phase UPS replacement or distributed IT room protection | Hot-swap power modules in a compact, right-sized chassis. Li-Ion native. EcoStruxure IT monitoring out of the box. Designed for retrofit into existing footprints. |
EcoStruxure Data Center Pods
The EcoStruxure Data Center Pod is a self-contained, pre-engineered unit that delivers power, cooling, and physical containment in a single deployable module. Each pod arrives pre-tested — power distribution, UPS, cooling, and controls are integrated before the unit ships. That eliminates the coordination risk inherent in conventional buildouts, where delays in one subsystem hold up the entire project.
Pods are designed to coexist with existing infrastructure. An organization running a legacy open-floor data center can deploy a pod alongside it — isolating AI compute in a thermally appropriate enclosure without rebuilding the room. Power input requirements are defined in advance, and the pod’s modular architecture allows additional pods to be added as AI load grows.
For organizations planning new data center capacity specifically for AI, pods offer a faster path to readiness than conventional construction. They are available in air-cooled and liquid-cooled configurations, supporting both current rack densities and the higher densities that GPU cluster deployments are pushing toward.
Smart-UPS Modular Ultra 5–20 kW
The Smart-UPS Modular Ultra is a single-phase UPS built around a hot-swap modular architecture — power modules are field-replaceable without taking the load offline. At 5–20 kW in a compact form factor, it is designed for IT rooms and edge deployments where a three-phase Galaxy-class system is more than the application requires, but a conventional single-phase UPS does not provide adequate redundancy or monitoring capability.
Li-Ion is the native battery configuration. That means an 8–10 year service life, integrated BMS cell monitoring, faster recharge, and a smaller footprint compared to VRLA. For a facility that is already tight on space — which describes most server rooms being asked to accommodate AI infrastructure — the footprint reduction matters.
EcoStruxure IT monitoring is built in. Load data, battery health, and event logs are accessible remotely without adding a separate monitoring system. For organizations managing multiple distributed sites, that visibility scales without adding per-site complexity.
EcoStruxure Data Center Pods — Design and Specification Notes
Power density and thermal envelope
Data Center Pods are available in configurations supporting rack densities from 10 kW to over 50 kW per rack, depending on cooling mode. Air-cooled pod configurations are appropriate for 10–25 kW/rack. Liquid-cooled configurations — rear-door heat exchangers or direct liquid cooling — support higher densities and are the recommended approach for GPU racks exceeding 25 kW. Coordinate with mechanical design for chilled water supply or facility cooling capacity.
Each pod arrives with an integrated power distribution and UPS module, pre-tested to factory standards. Input power requirements — voltage, amperage, feed configuration — are defined in the pod specification sheet and should be incorporated into the electrical design at the earliest design phase to avoid feed sizing issues during construction.
Installation and integration
Pods are designed for integration into existing raised-floor and slab-on-grade environments. Floor loading and seismic requirements should be reviewed against the structural design basis. Pods include integrated containment — hot or cold aisle, depending on configuration — which simplifies the mechanical interface with the room CRAC/CRAH system. Consult Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Design Tool for pod placement modeling and thermal simulation.
Scalability and phasing
The pod architecture supports phased deployment: a single pod can be specified for Phase 1 capacity with additional pods added in subsequent phases without modifying the base building infrastructure beyond power feed additions. This is a significant scheduling and cost advantage for projects where the AI compute load is expected to grow incrementally.
Smart-UPS Modular Ultra 5–20 kW — Design and Specification Notes
Single-phase application range
The Smart-UPS Modular Ultra covers the 5–20 kW single-phase range. It is not a three-phase device. For applications where the IT load is 208V single-phase — which includes most distributed server rooms, IDF closets, and smaller edge deployments — it is the appropriate specification. For loads requiring three-phase protection, refer to the Galaxy VS (10–150 kVA) or Galaxy VL (200–500 kVA).
Redundancy configuration
The modular architecture supports N+1 redundancy via hot-swap power modules. Specify the number of power modules based on the required load plus one redundant module. Modules are field-replaceable under load — no maintenance bypass required for module swap. This simplifies the electrical one-line at the UPS level and reduces bypass panel requirements.
Battery specification
Li-Ion is the standard battery configuration. Specify Li-Ion unless the project has a documented requirement for VRLA — VRLA configurations are available but Li-Ion is preferred for retrofit applications due to footprint, service life, and the elimination of discharge testing requirements. Battery cabinet footprint is approximately 50% smaller than equivalent VRLA. Verify AHJ acceptance of Li-Ion in the applicable occupancy classification if the project is in a regulated environment (healthcare, government).
Monitoring and controls interface
EcoStruxure IT monitoring is standard. The unit communicates via network card over Ethernet. For projects requiring integration with a facility BMS or DCIM platform, the unit supports SNMP, Modbus TCP, and BACnet via available network management cards. Confirm the communication protocol with the owner’s IT/facilities team during the design phase.
Power Solutions support for engineers and MEP contractors:
- Basis-of-design documentation
- Product specifications and submittals
- Runtime and load calculations
- EcoStruxure Design Tool coordination
- Commissioning support
Contact Power Solutions at 800-876-9373 or [email protected] to discuss project requirements with a Power Solutions engineer.