ABB, Eaton Collaborate with UL Solutions on Data Center Safety

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – UL Solutions announced an industry-wide effort with the Open Compute Project (OCP), ABB, and Eaton to lead the review and enhancement of safety standards for data center power distribution, enabling the next generation of AI data centers to be deployed at scale without compromising safety.

“AI is changing how data centers are developed, and we need a clear, practical way to keep people safe as power architectures evolve,” said Jeff Smidt, senior vice president of Testing, Inspection and Certification, Industrial, at UL Solutions. “By convening standards bodies, regulators and industry leaders through the Open Compute Project, we aim to deliver the important standards revisions, workforce training programs, and commissioning practices needed to scale AI safely.”

As AI chips demand more processing power, data centers are shifting the location of power away from in-rack designs and into individual, standalone units to free up more space for higher-performance computing hardware. That change is driving system voltages from previously low levels to roughly 800 volts direct current (VDC) today, with the industry planning for systems operating at up to 1,500 VDC.

Those higher voltages introduce new electrical hazards that many local codes and inspectors are not yet prepared to address. With power infrastructure becoming a primary bottleneck to scaling AI data centers, closing codes and standards gaps and issuing practical guidance is essential to both accelerate deployments and protect workers.

To address these challenges, UL Solutions is leading a Codes and Standards workstream within OCP’s new Power Distribution sub-project, working alongside co-leads ABB and Eaton. The group will perform a gap analysis of existing market requirements and highlight the need to update dozens of industry standards for components and systems used in AI data center applications, such as switchgear, panelboards, busbars, cables, and overcurrent protection devices.

UL Solutions will also convene regulators and standards bodies, including UL Standards & Engagement, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the National Electrical Code (NEC), to develop a shared, science-based blueprint for safely operating higher-voltage DC systems in data centers, helping to keep pace with rapid industry changes while prioritizing safety and interoperability.

This collaboration builds upon UL Solutions’ previous contributions to OCP, which included technical knowledge contributions to help further the cooperative development of resiliency, utilization, and efficiency of data center and enterprise technology. This has helped provide transparency and trust throughout the value chain of component, product, and system manufacturers, from installation, integration, and commissioning of equipment to ongoing asset maintenance and performance.

Support from our collaboration partners

“Power safety is the foundation of reliable AI infrastructure,” said Paolo Catapane, chapter leader, Solution Product Management, ABB. “As data centers push toward higher DC system voltages to support dense AI workloads, we must update how we design, protect and test power systems, so technicians and facilities remain safe while operators get the resiliency and performance they need. ABB is committed to advancing power‑protection solutions and standards that enable rapid, responsible deployment of next‑generation data centers.”

“Modern data centers are being built at a pace and scale that demands a new approach to power, one that balances interoperability, reliability and safety,” said Joshua Buzzell, vice president and data center chief architect, Eaton. “Eaton supports coordinated standards and workforce training to ensure that higher‑voltage architectures are implemented with rigorous safety practices and proven infrastructure, prerequisites for scaling AI responsibly.”

“UL Solutions and OCP share a common goal: accelerate innovation while keeping people and infrastructure safe,” said George Tchaparian, CEO of the Open Compute Project. “As data centers evolve to support AI, we need clear, industrywide safety frameworks, coordinated standards work, and practical workforce training so new power architectures can be deployed quickly, reliably and without added risk. OCP is proud to collaborate with UL Solutions, ABB, Eaton and other partners to deliver that foundation.”