Eltek, a Norwegian vendor of electronics for power equipment, announced the launch of a DC/DC converter, taking in direct current at 380V and putting out 48V that can be supplied to servers. The unit provides 3kW at 48VDC and is 98.2% efficient according to the vendor.

Eltek CMO Morten Schøyen said the unit had the potential to expand the market for 380V DC power distribution products for data centers since it can be used with a wide range of IT equipment. “Penetration of 380V DC is limited due to a scarce availability of servers that can run on 380VDC.

“With this converter, we are able to offer the advantages of a modular DC system to a much wider range of data centers.”

A group of companies have been promoting feeding high-voltage DC power directly to the IT gear instead of pushing electricity through multiple DC-to-AC-and-back-to-DC conversions. The idea is that with fewer conversions there are fewer electrical losses, and with less equipment, the electrical circuit is more reliable.

Some of the biggest vendors selling equipment for high-voltage DC power distribution for data centers include Emerson Network Power and ABB. There is also an industry organization, called the EMerge Alliance, that devises standards for such products.

The converter will be a part of Eltek’s Flatpack2 HE family of modular power products. The company is trying to sell more into the data center space, and the new converter is the next step after its Flatpack 2HE 3kW 380V DC rectifier.

The vendor has provided trial DC/DC converter units to a few select customers to gauge market needs before it starts volume deliveries.