An introduction to three-phase power and PDUs

This post introduces the fundamental concepts of three-phase power and Power Distribution Units (PDUs) as critical components in Cloudflare's data center infrastructure. It explains how PDUs distribute power to rack-mounted machines, the importance of power redundancy, and the technical underpinnings of AC power, including Faraday's and Ohm's Laws. The post highlights the advantages of three-phase PDUs over single-phase ones in terms of cost-effectiveness, capacity, footprint, and resilience, detailing the electrical principles behind three-phase power generation and distribution (Delta and Wye circuits) and their application in managing power for Cloudflare's extensive fleet.