June 25, 2025
by Jake Ring, PDM Co-founder and President
In today’s high-performance, high voltage data centers, the concept of “clean power” is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. As workloads ramp up and down in milliseconds, especially with the rise of GPU-intensive applications, power quality becomes mission critical. One major factor that impacts this quality is harmonics.
What Are Harmonics?
Data centers operate most efficiently under a constant flow of electricity. Think of electrical currents like water flowing through a pipe. In a perfect world, this flow is smooth and predictable, represented by a pure sine wave [see graph, blue line]. Harmonics are like ripples or waves that disrupt this smooth electrical flow. A data center’s variable speed drives, pumps, cooling fans, and even fluctuating server workloads can introduce sudden changes in electrical demand, leading to voltage fluctuations or harmonic distortion in power quality. Harmonic distortion as is shown by the overlapping waveforms that “crest” or spike unexpectedly [see graph, gray line], leading to dirty or noisy power.
Why Harmonics Are a Problem in Data Centers
Historically, data centers maintained relatively steady workloads and used simpler cooling systems. But modern facilities are vastly different. Now, GPU-based servers and AI training models demand large bursts of power that oscillate rapidly, creating significant harmonic distortion. These spikes can:
- Overheat transformers
- Cause premature equipment failure
- Impact UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems
- Trigger unexpected shutdowns or fire hazards
- Send damaging ripple effects upstream and downstream in the power system
One real-world example involves a facility experiencing transformer discharges due to harmonic distortion caused by pumps and fans. The result? A critical failure, power outage—and a wake-up call.
How PDM Solves Harmonic Challenges
At PDM LLC, harmonics are not afterthought. They’re a key design consideration. Unlike off-the-shelf solutions, PDM consults with each customer to assess the unique power environment and workload requirements—especially for facilities running variable workloads like AI, cloud computing, or crypto mining.
To mitigate harmonics, PDM transformers may include:
- K-rated designs (up to K-28) to reduce overheating
- Electrostatic shielding to prevent discharges within the transformer
- Custom windings with additional copper or aluminum to handle non-linear loads
- Overcurrent and voltage sensors that trigger safety shutoffs before catastrophic failure
In one case, PDM’s custom transformer designs prevented a transformer fire by detecting harmonic-induced overcapacity and shutting down the circuit.
What sets PDM apart is a consultative, service-driven approach backed by reliable, fast transformer manufacturing. We don’t just sell you a product—we design one specifically for your environment. Whether you’re dealing with complex GPU cycles or large mechanical systems, our team ensures that your dry-type transformer, padmount transformers and power substation transformers will perform safely and efficiently, backed by a five-year warranty—far exceeding industry standards.
With harmonics posing a growing threat to data centers, PDM offers not just products, but peace of mind.
Learn more at pdmllc.net or contact us for a custom solution built to handle your toughest power challenges.
