What it is about
Part 2‑2 specifies the requirements for the power supply to, and the power distribution within, data centers, together with equipotential bonding, lightning protection, and the measurement of power consumption and power quality. It is based on the three classifications of EN 50600‑1.
The standard describes the supply as a chain of functional elements from the incoming supply to the socket in the rack and is aimed at architects, building designers, installers, and system and installation designers. Electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, and the selection of IT equipment are not covered (EN 50600‑2‑2:2019, Introduction and Clause 1).
Core requirements in our own words
Supply and distribution are classified separately.
The power supply runs from the sources to the primary distribution, the power distribution from there to the socket. Each subsystem must on its own reach at least the class selected for the data center in accordance with Part 1. Clauses 4, 5.1.2, 5.1.3 and 6.1.
Sources, devices, paths.
The standard describes the supply as a chain of sources (primary, secondary, and additional supply), devices (switchgear, distribution equipment, UPS), and paths. The minimum configuration consists of one source and one path. Clauses 5.1.1 to 5.1.3.
Only a truly independent supply is a secondary supply.
A second feed to a dedicated transformer from the same grid is expressly not a secondary supply. The additional supply, typically a standby generator, must be able to replace the primary and secondary supply completely. Clauses 3.1.27 and 5.1.2.
Four socket types instead of one blanket approach.
The standard distinguishes unprotected, protected, locally protected, and short-break sockets. The Availability Classes apply only to the protected sockets. Clauses 5.1.3 and 6.3.4.1.
Classes describe functions, not redundancy levels.
What matters is which fault and which maintenance must be withstood without shutting down the load, from a single path with one source to multiple fault-tolerant paths. Whether this is achieved with N+1 or 2N is a design decision. Clauses 6.2.6.1 and 6.3.4.1.
Higher classes require physical separation.
From Class 3, the incoming supply is duplicated and run over separate routes. In Class 4, each path feeds its own switchgear, and the distribution equipment and UPS of each path are located in their own fire compartments. Clauses 6.2.1.3, 6.2.6.5 and 6.3.4.5.
From our seminars: two misconceptions
“Availability Class 3 means N+1, Class 4 means 2N.”
The standard does not require specific redundancy levels. It describes which fault must be withstood without loss of function and whether maintenance must be possible without shutting down the load. In projects, we often see a redundancy abbreviation from a quotation being read as proof of the class. The proof runs via the function of each subsystem (Clauses 6.2.6.1, 6.3.4.1).
“If the supply is Class 4, the distribution is automatically Class 4.”
The two subsystems are classified separately, and the class of the supply places no requirement on the class of the distribution. Each must on its own reach the class that Part 1 requires for the data center. Anyone who looks only at the incoming supply overlooks the distribution down to the rack (Clauses 4, 6.1, 6.2.6.1).
Where Part 2‑2 applies in a project
Planning
The class determines the structure of the chain: number of sources, routing, fire compartments, and a sizing that includes growth, cooling, and the part-load behavior of the standby generator (Clauses 6.2.1.1, 6.3.1.1).
Tendering
The specification states the class of each subsystem, the socket types, and the granularity level instead of redundancy abbreviations. This keeps the technology open and the result verifiable.
Acceptance and operation
Grid failure, generator operation, and the failure of individual paths are tested under load in all redundant combinations. In operation, the measurement points show how close demand is to the available capacity (Clauses 6.1, 8.1).
This protects you from the audit finding that two incoming feeds from the same grid are not a secondary supply. It saves you additional claims at acceptance when the class, socket types, and metering concept are in the specification from the start.
Status and revision
- Current edition
DIN EN 50600‑2‑2:2019‑08, German edition of EN 50600‑2‑2:2019; supersedes the 2014 edition.
- International
ISO/IEC 22237‑3:2021.
- Revision
- Draft, not a valid standard· prEN 50600‑2‑2:2026, January 2026
Edition 3 in preparation. prEN 50600-2‑2:2026 has been available as an enquiry draft since January 2026; the national commenting was completed in March 2026; ratification and adoption as DIN EN are still open. Until then, the 2019 edition applies. Committee CLC/TC 215, German mirror committee DKE/GK 719.
- Last reviewed
EN 50600‑2‑2
Frequently asked questions
The power supply to, and the power distribution within, data centers, together with equipotential bonding, lightning protection, and the measurement points for energy consumption and power quality. It is based on the classifications of EN 50600‑1 (Clause 1).
Four, from a single path with one source to multiple paths with multiple sources. The class is described by its function, not by redundancy levels such as N+1 or 2N (Clause 6.2.6.1).
The secondary supply is a grid supply that is independent of the primary supply and available at all times. The additional supply, usually a standby generator, takes over when both fail (Clauses 3.1.27, 5.1.2).
No. The UPS must limit damage until an alternative supply takes over; the level follows from the analysis in accordance with EN 50600‑1 (Clause 6.3.4.4).
Yes, a third edition is in preparation. The draft prEN 50600‑2‑2:2026 was submitted for the European enquiry in January 2026. Until publication, the 2019 edition remains valid without change.
Seminars
Related seminars
Training path 4/4
DC-21004Deep Dive – Power Supply & Cooling
according to EN 50600
5 days · In person · Live webinar
Medium voltage, transformers, standby generators, switchgear, and UPS with the design questions that Part 2‑2 only names; this saves you sizing errors that only become visible in the load test.
Next date: 23–27 Nov 2026, onlinePrice plus VAT: €6,990Training path 2/4
DC-21002Data Center Design & Implementation
according to EN 50600 and ISO/IEC 22237
5 days · In person · Live webinar
Part 2‑2 in the context of Parts 1, 2‑3, and 3‑1, from the risk analysis to the acceptance test.
Next date: 23–27 Nov 2026, onlinePrice plus VAT: €6,990New in the program
DC-21011Liquid Cooling, DC Power and High-Bandwidth Cabling
3 days · In person
For data centers with high power densities, where direct current distribution and cooling change the design of the power supply.
Next date: 1–3 Dec 2026, Munich · GermanPrice plus VAT: €4,195
All prices plus VAT; the price is the same in every format.
- DIN EN 50600‑2‑2:2019‑08 (German edition of EN 50600‑2‑2:2019), European foreword, Introduction, Clauses 1, 3.1, 4, 5.1.1 to 5.1.3, 6.1, 6.2.1.1, 6.2.1.3, 6.2.6.1, 6.2.6.5, 6.3.1.1, 6.3.4.1, 6.3.4.4, 6.3.4.5, 8.1
- ISO/IEC 22237‑3:2021
- prEN 50600‑2‑2:2026 (enquiry draft, CLC/TC 215, January 2026); national commenting by DKE/GK 719 until March 2026. Committee drafts, not a valid standard.
- DCE academy seminar practice: Data Center Design & Implementation (session November 2025), Data Center – General Principles (session April 2026), Deep Dive – Power Supply & Cooling (session December 2025)
Glossary terms
- Primary supply
- Secondary supply
- Additional supply
- Primary, secondary, and tertiary distribution
- Protected socket
- Short-break socket
- Availability Class (power supply, power distribution)
- Granularity level
- Power quality
- Fire compartment
- prEN (enquiry draft)
- CLC/TC 215
- DKE/GK 719
