Why DC-powered lighting matters for modern datacenters

A data center must coordinate a complex interplay of servers, networking, power, cooling, and security systems. Traditionally, these systems have relied on alternating current (AC) for power distribution. But as facilities scale to meet rising processing demands, electrical efficiency and power density are becoming critical design priorities.

Early data centers used 48 V DC for backup systems—safe, but limited in capacity. Over time, this evolved to 230/277 V AC mains, and later to 380 V DC for internal power distribution. Today, to meet the massive power demands of AI servers, designs are shifting again—to 650 V DC and even 800 V DC architectures.

The case for DC in data centers is both technical and economic:

• Reduced conversion losses
  Traditional AC systems require multiple conversion stages (AC→DC→AC→DC), leading to energy losses of up to 18%
• Native compatibility
  IT loads such as servers and GPUs inherently operate on DC power
• Seamless renewable integration
  Solar PV arrays and battery storage produce DC natively, simplifying connection and improving overall system efficiency
• Simplified infrastructure
  DC eliminates many transformers and rectifiers, cutting installation complexity and improving reliability
• AI readiness

With surging AI workloads data centers switch to DC power systems.

DC is not merely a power format—it’s a pathway toward more intelligent, efficient, and resilient infrastructure.

Lighting is often the first system that can transition to DC in a data center. Connected LED lighting presents a low-risk, high-impact opportunity to test and scale DC distribution before extending it to mission-critical IT loads.

Key advantages of deploying DC lighting in data centers include:

• Lower CAPEX
  Power cables for DC lighting save 40% on copper. They include only three conductors (L+, L-, PE) but transmit the same power as 400 V, 3-phase AC power cables with five conductors (L1, L2, L3, N, PE), as used in traditional data centers.
• Lower OPEX
  Power cables for DC lighting avoid 33% of the losses in power cables. since the power is transmitted with only two conductors (L+ and L-) instead of the three conductors of a three-phase AC system at the same current.
• Resilience and redundancy
  DC lighting can run directly from on-site solar arrays or battery storage, enhancing microgrid resilience during grid disturbances

Luminaires and components for DC-powered data centers are available in the marketplace today. For example, Signify has developed a 100 W Xitanium LED driver designed for 620–750 V DC operation and integrated it into a new generation of Pacific LED Gen5 and Maxos Fusion luminaire families. These luminaires deliver up to 165 lm/W efficacy and can be combined with lighting control systems like Signify Interact and Philips Dynalite.. The system’s efficiency can exceed 95% at driver level, with future potential to reach 200 lm/W using ultra-high-efficiency LED modules.

DC-powered lighting delivers measurable sustainability benefits, including:

• Carbon reduction
  Reduced carbon footprint due to fewer conversion losses and lower material use
• Eligibility for green certifications
  DC-based systems can contribute to LEED Zero and BREEAM credits
• Smart optimization
  Connected LED lighting can reduce total lighting energy use by up to 75% through sensors and controls

In sustainability reporting and ESG audits, these benefits help hyperscalers (like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure) and colocation providers demonstrate tangible progress toward carbon neutrality and operational efficiency.

Connected lighting systems have evolved into a powerful digital infrastructure layer that extends far beyond illumination. When LED luminaires are equipped with embedded sensors for parameters such as occupancy, daylight, temperature, humidity, and air quality, they become a dense, facility-wide network for continuous data collection. This distributed sensing capability transforms the lighting grid into a valuable source of real-time insight—covering everywhere in a building where light is needed, without the need for additional sensor deployments.

Through open communication protocols such as DALI, BACnet, and MQTT, DC-powered lighting networks integrate seamlessly with building management and data center infrastructure management (DCIM) systems. This interoperability enables unified control and monitoring across the entire facility, supporting applications that drive efficiency and reliability. Predictive maintenance becomes possible through continuous tracking of both environmental conditions and component health, allowing issues to be addressed before they cause downtime. Operational intelligence is enhanced by analyzing occupancy and thermal patterns, optimizing cooling and space utilization in dynamic environments like data halls or industrial production floors.

In addition, connected lighting plays an important role in supporting the well-being and performance of personnel. Human-centric or circadian lighting schemes can be tuned to maintain alertness and reduce fatigue during night shifts or extended operations—an important consideration in mission-critical facilities that run 24/7. By combining digital sensing, intelligent control, and human-centered design, connected lighting networks contribute directly to uptime, safety, and productivity—delivering value well beyond the traditional boundaries of illumination.

Lighting can be deployed in several configurations, depending on the scale, architecture, and energy strategy of the facility. At the most localized level, data centers with rack-level DC power lighting may be still supplied from an AC mains backbone.

At a broader scale, facility-level DC grids integrate lighting into a shared energy ecosystem that may also include solar generation, battery storage, and DC-powered IT infrastructure. In such systems, lighting not only benefits from renewable sources but also contributes to overall grid stability by acting as a controllable base load.

In addition, centralized emergency lighting integrated into the DC backbone ensures illumination continuity during power disruptions, reinforcing safety in mission-critical environments.

From a financial perspective, DC lighting offers a compelling return on investment:

• Lower installation costs
  through power cables with 40% less copper, simplified wiring and fewer conversion components
• Reduced OPEX
  driven by reduced energy consumption and maintenance costs
• Long-term value

from improved resilience, lower PUE, and compliance with ESG mandates