Data centers have become a core part of everyday digital life, supporting everything from online shopping and video streaming to banking and government services. As the number of servers grows to handle more tasks, their demand for electricity continues to increase. A large part of this energy is used to convert power from AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current), which can result in significant energy loss if not handled efficiently.
To improve this, CLEAResult introduced the 80 Plus Ruby certification, a new standard aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of server power supplies. While it was launched with little publicity, the Ruby certification includes some of the most demanding requirements seen so far for power conversion systems in data centers.
To meet the Ruby standard, a power supply must reach 96.5% efficiency at 50% load. It must also maintain at least 90% efficiency at both 5% and 100% load levels. These benchmarks apply across commonly used voltages, including 230 volts AC, 277 volts AC, 480 volts AC, and 380 volts DC. This high level of efficiency helps reduce the amount of electricity wasted as heat, which in turn can lower cooling costs and improve overall performance in large-scale data operations.
In addition to efficiency targets, Ruby also introduces power factor requirements. Power factor is a measure of how effectively electricity is used. A low power factor can result in more stress on the electrical system and higher energy costs. Under the Ruby certification, power supplies must achieve a power factor of at least 0.90 at 5% load. At 20% and 50% loads, the requirement increases to 0.96. These numbers ensure that power is being drawn cleanly and predictably from the grid.
Delta Electronics is among the first companies to produce power supplies that meet the new standard. The company submitted three 5,500-watt models for testing. Designed for high-performance computing environments such as those used in data processing and graphics workloads, these units achieved up to 97.5% efficiency and exceeded the power factor requirements.
The introduction of Ruby comes at a time when power efficiency is becoming a higher priority for both private companies and government agencies. Data centers in the United States currently account for roughly 0.4% of national electricity use. Some projections suggest that this could grow to as much as 12% by 2028, largely due to the continued expansion of digital services and remote computing.
With international regulations tightening, including programs like ENERGY STAR and the European Union’s energy efficiency directives, there is growing pressure on manufacturers to deliver better performance while using less power. The 80 Plus Ruby certification gives them a clear and measurable way to meet these goals. It also gives data center operators a tool to make smarter choices when selecting power supplies for their infrastructure.
Source: via Ruby Rapids on X
