Power 101: Circuits, kW, and How to Right‑Size

Understanding power requirements is fundamental to successful colocation planning. This guide demystifies electrical terminology, explaining the difference between watts, kilowatts, amps, and volts, and how to calculate your actual power needs. We cover circuit types (120V, 208V, 480V), the difference between committed power and burstable power, and how to right-size your deployment to avoid over-provisioning or under-provisioning. Learn how to measure your current equipment's power consumption, plan for future growth, understand power redundancy (A+B feeds), and calculate your true power costs including both usage and demand charges. This knowledge helps you speak the same language as colocation providers and ensures you're not paying for more power than you need.