Power Allocation, Usage and Policy Update

Equinix enforces a strict power allocation policy to ensure reliable service and contracted access to capacity.

Power and space allocation

Space and power are expressed in kVA.

• Space kVA reflects the infrastructure capacity allocated to your deployment based on your CAG00001 – Cage.
• Power kVA (draw cap) represents your maximum reserved capacity usage based on your POW00001- AC Power.

These values are balanced and identical. Your invoice will include your contracted power in kVA. If applicable, it will also show your energy usage in kWh.

See Power Policy (section 4.6) for further information.

Cabinet equivalents (CabE)

Your allocated space can additionally be shown in CabE, a measure based on physical footprint and standard site power density. For more information, review our Cabinet Ratings documentation.

Draw cap compliance

You need to stay within your draw cap to avoid additional charges. If we detect an overage, we will contact you to resolve it. You may need to:

• Upgrade your contract to increase capacity and include usage, or
• Reduce usage to remain within your draw cap.

Usage over the draw cap will incur additional charges.

Demarcation for power availability

The demarcation point for power availability is the IEC60309 socket at the end of the AC power circuit, which originates from the Room Power Panel (RPP) or the Tap-off Box / Power Infrastructure Unit (PIU).

Rack Power strips are customer owned. For detailed definitions of power availability and unavailability, please refer to your contracted SLA.

Power billing models

Equinix employs various power billing models to ensure fair and transparent charging, based on your contracted power allocation and actual usage. These models determine how power commitments, allocations, and usage are managed under your agreement. Below is a summary of the key scenarios and what they mean for you:

1. Minimum commit equals power allocation: You will continue to receive all-inclusive colocation charges as stated in your contract.
2. Minimum commit lower than power allocation (incl. metered power): We are reviewing usage statistics for each cabinet/cage customer installation. We will offer an alternative fixed-price option for cabinets on open colocation. Where applicable, this will be completed within the next two months.
3. Usage consistently exceeds allocation: We will contact you to align your usage with your allocation and ensure compliance with the Draw Cap.

Metered power

Most customers see consistent month-to-month usage after their environment reaches a steady state.

If your contract already includes a fixed power charge, we will continue this approach and apply the relevant Equinix product element breakdown for billing purposes. When feasible, we offer all-inclusive charges for space and power.

Key details:

•  A standard month equals 730.5 hours (for kVA/kW → kWh conversions).
• To reduce seasonal fluctuation, we use a 12-month trailing average for PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness).