The ±400V High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) server power supply represents an innovative and highly efficient power solution specifically designed for data center and server applications. It leverages HVDC technology to enhance power transmission efficiency and minimize energy losses in cables and power distribution equipment.
The ±400V HVDC power system is a DC power supply system providing two voltage rails: +400V and -400V, with the neutral point (0V) typically grounded. The total differential is 800V (+400V to -400V), yet each rail (+400V or -400V) is referenced to ground at only 400V, which reduces electrical risks.
Key Features
This HVDC Server Power Automated Test System is a customized solution built upon the Chroma 8000 ATS platform, specifically designed for automated testing and validation of ±400V HVDC server power conversion devices. Paired with Chroma's regenerative test instruments such as the 61800, 63200A, 62000D, and 63700 series, the system enables comprehensive testing of input characteristics, output performance, protection features, and PMBus communication of products related to HVDC server power architectures. Unlike traditional automated test software, the software included in this system requires only minimal setup: simply define the test conditions and specifications, and automated testing can begin. Test reports are generated instantly upon completion for maximum efficiency.
HVDC Server Power Conversion Device Test Items
The diagram below illustrates the HVDC power architecture of a data center server system. The front-end consists of a Power Distribution Unit (PDU) that converts AC power to ±400Vdc. The ±400Vdc output from the PDU is then converted to 48Vdc by DC-to-DC power converters to supply power to the server system. Following the ORV3 specification, the HVDC power system architecture includes redundancy, hot-swapping capability, and PMS communication and power monitoring to meet the server system's requirements for high performance, reliability, and compatibility.
Chroma’s automated test solutions can be programmed according to user-defined specifications to validate performance and reliability under real-world conditions, ensuring compliance with demanding industry standards. The test items cover output performance testing to assess the general performance of the server power supply, input characteristics testing to evaluate the input parameters of the server power supply, regulation testing to examine output stability under varying input power and load conditions, timing and transient testing to measure the timing of power-on/off and various events, protection testing to trigger the power supply's protection circuits and functions, and PMBus communication testing of server power status parameters.
For prolonged burn-in testing, the system can be configured with the Chroma 63700 regenerative DC electronic load. This allows the energy output during the test to be fed back to the grid, reducing overall power consumption and aligning with sustainability goals such as carbon neutrality and green manufacturing.
Output Performance
- (HVDC) DC output voltage
- Output current
- Peak-to-peak noise
- Efficiency
- Overshoot voltage
- No-load startup
Input Characteristics
- Inrush current
- Power factor
- Input current harmonic
- (HVDC) Input voltage and current
- (HVDC) Input voltage ramp-up/down
- Input frequency ramp-up/down
- (HVDC) Input power interruption
- Input voltage distortion simulation
Regulation Testing
- Output stability under varying loads
- Stability under input voltage variations
- Comprehensive regulation testing
Timing and Transient Testing
- Power-on/off timing
- Rise/fall time
- Dynamic load response
- 160% surge load
- Protection timing
Protection Testing
- Over Voltage Protection (OVP) testing
- Under Voltage Protection (UVP) testing
- Over Current Protection (OCP) / Over Power Protection (OPP)
- Short Circuit Protection (SCP) testing
Other Tests
- PMBus communication
- PSU-BBU conversion
- BBU bidirectional power supply charge and discharge characteristics
HVDC server power systems include power conversion devices and sub-systems such as ±400Vdc output PSUs, Power Shelves, Rack Power, BBU bidirectional DC/DC converters, and HVDC DC/DC converters. These come in a wide range of specifications and types. Chroma’s comprehensive portfolio of test & measurement equipment ensures an automated test system can be tailored to meet specific product specs and testing needs. The recommended test system architecture and supporting equipment for power conversion devices are shown below:
Recommended HVDC PSU Test Architecture and Equipment
Recommended HVDC Power Shelf Test Architecture and Equipment
Recommended HVDC Rack Power Test Architecture and Equipment
Recommended HVDC Input DC/DC Converter Test Architecture and Equipment
The Chroma 8000 test system includes PowerPro, Chroma's widely adopted power supply testing software platform. PowerPro provides an open software framework that allows users to freely select test hardware, develop their own test programs, automate pass/fail judgments, and conveniently generate reports.
The Chroma 8000 is fully compatible with all relevant device drivers and control commands. When users need to replace test hardware due to upgraded product specifications, the programmed test items and procedures can be reused without modifying the code, allowing seamless interchangeability of ATE equipment. Chroma’s deep expertise in power testing also means reliable technical support and consulting, which helps customers manage changes in test personnel without affecting the maintainability of the test platform.
▲ Chroma 8000 ATS Main Panel
▲ Test Execution (GO/NO GO) Screen
▲ Test Report
