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Technical Reference — AI Infrastructure

Saf-D-Grid Power Connector Guide

Anderson Power SDG 400: 7.2× the power of a standard C13/C14 in the same panel footprint. UL-rated for live disconnect at 400V/30A. The connector standard for high-density data-center power and switching infrastructure.

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What Saf-D-Grid is and why it exists

Saf-D-Grid is a proprietary connector system manufactured by Anderson Power Products. It was designed to solve a specific data center problem: as switch and router power densities climbed past what IEC 60320 C13/C14 (10A, 250V) could safely handle, engineers needed a connector that could deliver substantially more power in the same chassis footprint without requiring new panel cutouts or mounting hardware.

The SDG 400 (the most common Saf-D-Grid variant) delivers 400V AC or 380V DC at 30A — approximately 7.2× the power capacity of a C13/C14 connector — in a housing that fits the same 19.9 × 26.8mm panel cutout as a standard C14 inlet. It also adds three safety features that IEC 60320 lacks: integral locking, earth-first contact sequencing, and arc containment.

Technical specifications

Maximum voltage400V AC or 380V DC
Maximum current30A (SDG 400); 55–63A (SDG Max)
FootprintCompatible with IEC 60320 C14 panel cutout
Locking mechanismIntegral T-Latch — automatic on insertion
Temperature rating–55°C to +105°C
Safety standardUL 950 / IEC 60950 compliant
Ground designEarth conductors mate first, disconnect last
Hot-swap ratedUL-rated for disconnect under full load
HousingArc containment — protects personnel during live mating
Part numberingColor-coded by polarity: black = standard; red = 24VDC (with adapter)

Saf-D-Grid vs. IEC 60320 C13/C14

AspectIEC 60320 C13/C14Saf-D-Grid SDG 400
Voltage250V max (IEC 60320)400V AC / 380V DC
Current10A (C13/C14) / 16A (C19/C20)30A (SDG 400)
Power delivery2,500W (C13) / 5,000W (C19)12,000W (SDG 400 at 400V/30A)
FootprintC14 inlet — 19.9 × 26.8mmSame C14 footprint
LockingNone (standard); retrofit availableIntegral T-Latch — always locked
Hot-swapNot rated for live disconnectUL-rated for live disconnect at full load
Ground sequenceSimultaneous with line conductorsEarth mates first, disconnects last

Safety features explained

  • Integral T-Latch

    The locking mechanism is built into the connector housing — there is no unlocked state. The T-Latch engages automatically on insertion and requires a deliberate two-finger press to release. Pull-out force exceeds 200N.

  • Earth-first contact

    The ground pin is longer than the line conductors. It makes contact before power conductors on insertion and breaks last on disconnection, ensuring continuous ground path during live-swap operations.

  • Hot-swap rated

    Anderson and UL have rated the SDG 400 for disconnect under full 400V/30A load. The arc containment housing captures and extinguishes the arc when disconnecting under load, protecting both the connector and personnel.

  • Arc containment

    The connector housing is designed to contain the electrical arc that occurs when breaking a live circuit. This is the primary reason Saf-D-Grid requires no load-shedding before maintenance on compatible equipment.

Equipment using Saf-D-Grid inlets

This list covers the most common Saf-D-Grid deployments. Always verify the specific model's power supply spec before ordering.

BrandModels / Product lines
CiscoNCS 5000 series, NCS 5500, Nexus 9000 (NXA-PHV power shelf), Nexus 3000 high-density
Arista7280R, 7500R, 7800R chassis — high-density switching line cards
JuniperPTX10008, QFX10016, MX10016 — select chassis with 400V DC distribution
HitachiVirtual Storage Platform (VSP) G-series, F-series
Brocade / ExtremeSLX 9850, SLX 9640 chassis
Various OEM serversSystems with 400V DC input modules for high-density compute

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Saf-D-Grid SDG 400 and SDG Max?

Both use the same C14-footprint housing and T-Latch locking mechanism. The SDG 400 is rated for 400V AC / 380V DC at 30A, making it the standard choice for Cisco, Arista, and Juniper chassis. The SDG Max is a higher-current variant rated for 55–63A, intended for higher-density power shelves and OEM server applications that exceed the SDG 400's 12 kW capacity.

Can I use a Saf-D-Grid cord with a standard C14 or C20 PDU outlet?

Yes. Because the Saf-D-Grid inlet uses the same panel cutout as a C14, adapter cords are available in C14-to-Saf-D-Grid and C20-to-Saf-D-Grid configurations. These let you connect Saf-D-Grid-equipped equipment to conventional IEC 60320 PDU outlets without modifying the rack or PDU. Verify that your PDU outlet's voltage and amperage rating matches the equipment's 400V/30A requirement before ordering.

Is Saf-D-Grid safe to disconnect under live load?

Yes — the SDG 400 is UL-rated for disconnect under full 400V/30A load. Three design features make this possible:

  • Arc containment housing captures and extinguishes the arc when breaking a live circuit.
  • Earth-first contact sequencing keeps the ground path intact until the last moment of disconnection.
  • T-Latch retention prevents accidental pull-out, so disconnection is always deliberate.

No load-shedding is required before maintenance on compatible equipment.

What does a 400V DC connector look like and how does it differ from AC versions?

The Saf-D-Grid SDG 400 housing is color-coded by polarity: black housings are used for standard AC applications; red housings indicate 24V DC (with adapter). For 380V DC distribution — used in some Juniper PTX and Arista 7800R deployments — the connector is physically identical to the AC version but the cord and inlet are wired for DC polarity. Always confirm AC vs. DC wiring with your equipment's power supply spec sheet before ordering.

How to Order the Right Saf-D-Grid Cord

Choosing the correct Saf-D-Grid cord requires matching three variables: the PDU outlet type, the voltage/current rating, and the cord length. Getting any one of these wrong means the cord will not seat correctly or will be under-rated for the circuit.

Step 1 — Identify your PDU outlet

Most data-center PDUs terminate in IEC 60320 C13, C19, or C20 outlets. Saf-D-Grid cords are available in C14-to-SDG 400 and C20-to-SDG 400 configurations to match these outlets. Check the PDU's outlet type before selecting a cord.

Step 2 — Confirm voltage and current

The SDG 400 is rated for 400V AC or 380V DC at 30A. Verify that your PDU branch circuit and the equipment's power supply input both support this rating. Mismatched voltage is the most common ordering error on Saf-D-Grid projects.

Step 3 — Measure the run

Measure from the PDU outlet to the equipment inlet with the cord routed through cable management — not point-to-point. Add 6–12 inches of service loop. Standard stocked lengths ship same day; non-standard lengths are available as custom builds.

  • Need a quote for a large quantity or non-standard length? Use the instant quote tool.
  • Deploying across multiple racks? Ask about blanket orders to lock pricing.

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