The data center industry is in the middle of a transformation, with the explosive growth of AI workloads driving unprecedented power demands and operators looking for every possible efficiency gain. One of the most significant shifts on the horizon? The move toward higher-voltage direct current (DC) architectures, specifically 800 VDC and beyond.

Higher-voltage DC promises real benefits: reduced transmission losses, greater efficiency from fewer power conversions, improved power density, and streamlined distribution for hyperscale environments. But as voltages rise, the data center industry faces a critical challenge: standards development is lagging significantly behind innovation.

The standards gap

Today, hyperscale and AI operators are deploying power systems with voltages that exceed the limits set by existing standards. In some cases, data centers are forced to conduct their own testing because no applicable guidelines exist. This is not sustainable. Without clear standards, the industry risks bypassing proven safety practices and slowing the adoption of reliable, scalable solutions.

At Legrand, and at Starline, we believe standards must evolve as quickly as technology does. We’re actively working to close this gap, because higher voltages demand more than just new equipment – they require a framework that ensures performance, interoperability, and safety.

Driving change through collaboration

Starline has long been a leader in high-power distribution and personnel safety, with active work on higher voltage DC topologies dating back to 2011. That’s why we’ve taken an aggressive approach to standards development.

Last year, we played a key role in driving UL857 Edition 14, which raised the maximum DC busway voltage rating from 600VDC to 1000VDC. Work is already underway on Edition 15, which will push the limit to 1500VDC.

But busway is only part of the picture. As voltages climb, standards must evolve across multiple categories, including:

• Connectors capable of safely handling higher DC loads
• Submetering standards, which have historically been AC-centric
• Cabling and flexible cord ratings for elevated voltages
• Thermal cycle testing protocols for highly cyclic loading standard with next-gen chipsets
• Arc flash protection and PPE tailored for DC environments

The last item represents a particularly urgent need. Nearly all current incident energy calculation methods, such as NFPA 70E, were developed for AC power. DC arcs behave differently, with higher continuous incident energy and no zero-crossing. Breakers designed for AC systems may fail to extinguish a DC arc.

Without standardized DC clearing curves, PPE categories, or arc flash boundary calculations, engineers are forced to rely on extrapolated AC models that may underestimate real hazard levels. Establishing DC-specific arc flash standards is essential prior to widescale deployment of 800VDC systems.

The role of industry groups

Legrand and Starline are deeply engaged with NEMA working groups focused on data centers, submetering, and connectors. Through NEMA, we can influence UL and other standards bodies to ensure that safety and reliability remain at the forefront.

But we also recognize the standards landscape is evolving. Organizations like the Open Compute Project (OCP) give hyperscalers a greater voice in how next-generation power architectures are defined. This influence is positive; I support and encourage operator participation in similar industry forums.

By collaborating across manufacturers, data centers, and standards organizations, we can ensure that higher-voltage standards evolve to reflect real-world needs and shared priorities.

Why it matters

The transition to 800VDC isn’t a question of if, but when. AI deployments are evolving faster than current standards can keep up, and the industry needs a unified approach to avoid fragmentation and risk.

By prioritizing standards development now, we can ensure that innovation doesn’t outpace safety and that operators have proven, reliable solutions as they scale for the future.

At Legrand and Starline, we’re committed to leading this charge. Our goal is simple: to help the industry transition to higher voltages safely, with confidence and clarity.

For more information on Starline’s practical solutions for high-density infrastructure, additional resources are available here