Liquid cooling is becoming central to AI data center design, creating new power challenges for VFD-driven mechanical systems such as CDUs or pumps.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads are accelerating the adoption of liquid cooling across data centers. With Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU) pumps and other mechanical systems becoming critical to thermal performance, the power infrastructure supporting them must handle the unique electrical behavior of Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) loads. This brief examines the challenges and explains how the Vertiv™ Liebert® APM2 supports reliable power for cooling infrastructure.
What you’ll learn in this application brief:
- Why liquid cooling brings new power challenges for VFD-driven mechanical systems such as CDUs or pumps
- How VFD-driven loads affect power quality, including harmonics, inrush current, and power factor
- Why isolating cooling infrastructure with a dedicated UPS can improve resilience and electrical stability
- Key design capabilities of the Vertiv™ Liebert® APM2 that support inductive mechanical loads
- How validated reference designs support scalable liquid-cooling deployments from HPC environments to large AI data centers
Download the full application brief to explore reference designs, power strategies, and tested configurations for deploying Vertiv™ Liebert® APM2 UPS with liquid-cooled infrastructure.