The demands on data centers are constantly increasing – both in terms of network load and supply reliability. Even minor interruptions or quality defects can cause economic damage. Precise measurement methods are the best protection for data centers.
In an interview, Lutz Beyer and Jens Schübel from PQ Plus explain why precise and continuous measurement methods are the best protection for data centers and industry – and why network quality is becoming a matter of business survival.
Mr. Beyer, with PQ Plus you are considered a pioneer in power quality measurement. What sets your company apart from traditional providers?
Lutz Beyer: From the very beginning, our approach was focused on supporting critical infrastructures such as data centers or hospitals with flexible, user-friendly, yet highly precise measuring devices. While other providers previously only sold very expensive systems that often only provided snapshots and whose data was of little use to customers, we have taken a new direction with innovative firmware solutions.
Our systems are designed to make power quality measurements standard and affordable. A particular milestone was the introduction of our 333 mV signal – it has since become an established industry standard and is now even being copied by former market leaders. A PQ Plus Class S device now costs between €600 and €700, which was previously simply unaffordable for many projects. Our Class A measuring devices also offer excellent value for money at around €2,000, while maintaining the highest measurement accuracy.
Increasing Challenges for Modern Data Centers
How do you, as a relatively lean company, manage to develop and produce such system solutions in large quantities?
Lutz Beyer: The answer lies in our agile corporate culture and strong partnerships. With our highly specialized production company in the Czech Republic – a so-called EMS, or Electronic Manufacturing Service – we are extremely flexible in terms of planning, customization, and manufacturing.
We produce around 100,000 measuring devices annually and can respond quickly to market developments or customer requests because production is closely integrated with our development. This flexibility is a major advantage over the sometimes sluggish structures of corporations. At the same time, our development is always in tune with current practice because we work very closely with end users and installers.
What challenges do you see today, especially in modern data centers, in terms of availability and reliability?
Lutz Beyer: The demands on data centers are constantly increasing – both in terms of network load and supply security. Even the smallest interruptions or quality defects can cause massive economic damage. Furthermore, IT loads fluctuate extremely due to virtualization or the dynamic growth of AI applications and are highly complex. Maintaining the quality and continuity of the power supply at the highest level is crucial, especially because errors can arise not only within the company's own infrastructure but also from external factors. We help operators maintain this balance: With our precise measuring devices, voltage dips, harmonics, leakage currents, and other interference factors can be immediately detected and documented.
What is the significance of continuous power quality monitoring in practice?
Lutz Beyer: It is essential – especially in critical infrastructures, where any disruption can have fatal consequences. Continuous power quality monitoring allows problematic changes to be identified at an early stage. For example, modern power electronics lead to new types of feedback effects – such as unwanted leakage currents, which can cause damage you wouldn't initially imagine. I remember an industrial customer with several thousand employees: After a short time, all the water supply lines were corroded because diffusing currents from the power electronics used in the system contributed to damaging the lines. Our systems quickly identified the cause and thus helped prevent significant costs and consequential damage.
Preventing Disturbances in Data Centers
Mr. Schübel, how do PQ Plus's measurement systems detect these disturbances, and what analyses can they perform?
Jens Schübel: Our measurement systems offer high resolution: We measure current, voltage, power, and frequency data at up to 57.6 kilohertz. We also capture harmonics far beyond the usual standards, which are often crucial for analyzing complex faults. All measurement data is stored in the device for at least one year. Our special, free software enables targeted evaluations.
We check compliance with standards, but can also trace the history of anomalies in great detail and examine correlations with, for example, load changes, switching states, or specific events. The ability to access seamless historical data is a decisive advantage for many operators – they can not only solve acute problems but also specifically analyze and optimize the development of their infrastructure over the longer term.
A special feature of PQ Plus is residual current measurement. What is it, and why does it play such a central role, especially in data centers?
Jens Schübel: Residual current measurement means that we continuously monitor whether currents are being "lost" anywhere in the electrical system without authorization – typical leakage currents that can indicate insulation faults, wear, or defects. The infrastructure in data centers is very complex and intricate. It is especially important there to detect even the smallest changes early on. For example, if the residual current on a line slowly increases, this can be a sign of gradual insulation damage – a risk that, with timely intervention, is usually easy to remedy and prevents major damage.
How easily can your systems be integrated into existing monitoring and building management systems?
Jens Schübel: Integration is designed to be as simple as possible, as we work with all common protocols such as Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP, SNMP, and MQTT. This means our measuring devices can be integrated directly into existing control systems – regardless of whether they are new buildings or retrofits. This openness was particularly important to us because it allows our customers to continue using their familiar infrastructure and flexibly expand it with our systems.
Can you give a concrete practical example that shows how the use of your systems has reduced the probability of failure?
Jens Schübel: A good example is a medium-sized data center that we equipped. Our harmonic analysis revealed irregularities at the outputs of a UPS system. A closer look revealed that a malfunction in one of the power stages was the cause – a problem that could be resolved during the next scheduled maintenance before any real damage occurred. Without this continuous monitoring and the ability to detect such details in real time, the problem would have continued unnoticed and potentially led to outages with enormous subsequent costs.
Technology Trends in Measurement Technology for Data Centers
What developments and technology trends do you see in the field of measurement and monitoring technology specifically for data centers in the coming years?
Jens Schübel: The trend is clearly toward AI-supported analysis methods. In the future, intelligent algorithms will not only detect anomalies even faster and more reliably, but may also be able to intervene independently – for example, by adjusting thresholds or providing troubleshooting tips. Another growing area is the direct supply of systems via direct current (DC), for example, through the increased use of photovoltaics or other renewable energy sources.
Companies like Deutsche Telekom, in particular, are currently investing heavily in the direct use of direct current because it allows them to avoid energy losses. We also keep our technology ready in this area: Our devices are designed for both AC and DC – and are prepared for cloud connectivity for next-generation data usage. We are also observing that new communication protocols and sensor integration are becoming increasingly important. This openness opens up opportunities for continuous optimization and access to new markets for us and our customers.
Lutz Beyer: I would also like to add: Such innovations are part of our everyday practice. Our devices are designed to be continuously developed further – whether for new network types or complex evaluations. Our strategic partnerships ensure the flexibility that allows us to respond very quickly to technological trends or changing market requirements.
Why is investing in modern measurement and monitoring technology worthwhile, especially for operators of critical infrastructures?
Lutz Beyer: A reliable power grid is the backbone of all digital processes. Critical infrastructures such as data centers, hospitals, or traffic control systems are particularly vulnerable without constant quality control – the impact of even the smallest errors is often underestimated. Investing in continuous monitoring and intelligent analysis reduces risks and costs: It prevents outages, reduces maintenance costs, and lays the foundation for optimal operation with future technologies such as AI and sustainable energies. Those who rely on precise measurement and monitoring technology are investing in resilience, scalability, and economic security.
