Data Center Power Cables - Nizing Electric Wire & Cable Co., Ltd. 2026

Core Background and the Introduction of the New Standard

As modern data centers evolve toward higher power densities and more complex electrical architectures (driven by AI and cloud computing demands), traditional industrial cables are increasingly unable to fully meet high-density electrical, thermal, and operational requirements. To fill this market gap, UL 2137 establishes a brand-new cable category — Data Center Power Cable (Type DCPC) — designed specifically for fixed power distribution within data centers.

Product Specifications and Scope of UL 2137

This standard applies to flexible power cables used within data centers to connect equipment together or to branch circuits (it does not apply to direct connections to service equipment, feeders, or building branch circuits).

Technical Characteristics：

Construction Single-insulated conductors with an overall jacket.
Conductor Material Flexible stranded copper conductors, or optional Litz conductors.
Conductor Sizes 12 AWG to 1,000 kcmil.
Voltage Rating 2,000 Vac or Vdc.
Temperature Rating 75°C, 90°C, 105°C, or 150°C.
Optional Markings Low Smoke Halogen-Free construction.

Three Core Functions within Data Centers：

Connecting overhead or underfloor main distribution busways to deliver high-current three-phase power directly to the Rack PDUs inside the racks.

Meeting the extreme power demands of AI server racks (e.g., NVIDIA architectures) exceeding 30 kW to 100 kW, relying on these heavy-duty cable assemblies for high-power transmission.

Used in power equipment rooms between large UPS systems and BESS cabinets to handle power paralleling and high-current transmission.

Differences Between Type DCPC (New Standard) and Type W (Traditional Standard)

The webpage specifically compares UL 2137 (Type DCPC) with the traditionally used UL 1650 (Type W Portable Power Cable):

Feature Comparison	Type DCPC (Certified to UL 2137)	Type W (Certified to UL 1650)
Primary Intended Use	Fixed installations inside data centers	Portable or mobile industrial use
Application Environment	High-density computing environments, wiring within racks and equipment systems	Harsh environments such as theater stages, garages, and heavy equipment
Environmental Characteristics	Optional Low-Smoke / Halogen-Free (LSZH) construction	Suitable for wet locations, featuring sunlight resistance
Mechanical Requirements	Focuses on thermal and electrical performance for modern data centers	Requires extremely high mechanical durability (abrasion resistance and heavy-duty wear)

Advantages Brought by Testing and Certification

For Cable Manufacturers: Proves full compliance with safety, performance, and structural requirements dedicated to data centers, leveraging UL's credibility to enhance product competitiveness.

For Data Center Operators and Designers: Allows clear specification of compliant cables in high-density power distribution designs, boosting confidence in thermal and electrical safety performance.

For System Integrators: Ensures that installed cables fully comply with interconnection safety regulations between equipment.

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