The US data center industry is growing at an unprecedented rate. Driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the rising demand for digital infrastructure, new facilities are being built faster than ever before. Behind the servers, cooling systems, and power distribution equipment are critical components that often go unnoticed: the insulating and structural parts that allow power to move safely and reliably.

GPO components such as phase barriers, bus bar supports, and enclosures play a key role in keeping electrical systems safe, stable, and ready to scale. GPO materials offer the strength, electrical insulation, and flame resistance required in demanding environments. But material performance alone is not enough. Precision machining ensures these components fit accurately, perform reliably, and support the fast, large-scale deployment today’s data centers require.

At thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics, we support this need by supplying high-performance GPO materials and providing machining services that deliver installation-ready components, helping customers move from design to deployment with confidence.

GPO’s Role in Modern Power Distribution

As data centers grow more power-dense and operate at higher temperatures, the materials protecting their electrical systems face greater demands. GPO plastics, particularly GPO-3, have become a trusted choice for maintaining safety and reliability in power distribution equipment.

Why Engineers Specify GPO for Data Centers

GPO offers a combination of properties that make it well-suited for electrical applications in demanding environments:

• High dielectric strength provides strong electrical insulation, reducing the risk of arcing and short circuits.
• Flame resistance helps limit fire risk in high-energy settings.
• Thermal stability supports consistent performance as operating temperatures rise.
• Mechanical strength ensures structural durability in supports, enclosures, and mounting systems.

Because of these qualities, GPO is widely used in components found in power distribution units (PDUs), busway systems, and switchgear. Typical applications include:

• Phase barriers that separate conductors and prevent cross-phase contact.
• Bus bar supports that hold high-current systems securely in place.
• Mounting brackets and enclosures that protect and insulate electrical assemblies.

Individually, these parts may seem small. Collectively, they are critical to maintaining system stability and uptime. GPO-3 is particularly valued for its resistance to tracking, arc flash, and thermal degradation, helping power assemblies perform consistently under heavy electrical loads. Its dimensional stability and machinability also allow it to meet tight tolerances and fit within compact equipment layouts.

As data centers continue to push for greater efficiency and higher power density, GPO-3 supports safer, more dependable electrical systems, keeping infrastructure stable and operations running without interruption.

The New Challenge: Scaling Infrastructure Quickly

As materials like GPO-3 prove their value, the next challenge is scale. Early data center growth often focused on single facilities or isolated upgrades. Customization was manageable, and teams could oversee projects closely.

Today, expansion looks very different. Entire regional networks of data centers are being built in rapid succession to meet global demand. With multiple sites moving forward at once, simplifying the supply chain has become a clear priority for builders and OEMs.

Standardized, high-performance materials like GPO-3 help support this shift. They provide consistent quality, dependable machinability, and reliable performance across projects, while meeting strict safety and electrical requirements.

Compressed Timelines, No Room for Error

Hyperscale development brings tighter schedules and higher expectations. Construction timelines are shorter, installations often overlap, and there is little tolerance for mistakes. Every component must meet specifications the first time.

For GPO-3, that means consistent dielectric strength, smooth surface finish, and precise dimensions from batch to batch. Small variations in machining or material quality can lead to fit issues, rework, delays, or even downtime, especially in switchgear and power distribution assemblies that rely on accurately matched insulating parts.

From Raw Material to Ready-to-Install Components

As the industry evolves, expectations have shifted beyond simply supplying raw sheet material. Data center projects require installation-ready components manufactured to tight tolerances and delivered on schedule across multiple sites.

To meet these demands, OEMs and fabricators increasingly rely on material partners that offer machining services. This approach ensures each GPO-3 component arrives ready to install, helping speed deployment while maintaining the safety and electrical reliability critical to high-density data centers.

GPO Machining that Enables Data Center Growth

As data center construction accelerates, the focus has shifted from material capability alone to how consistently those materials can be machined and delivered. OEMs and operators need every GPO component to perform the same way, no matter where it is installed.

Meeting that expectation requires more than quality sheet stock. It calls for plastics expertise, advanced machining capabilities, and supply programs built to support fast-moving projects.

Where Material Science Meets Manufacturing Precision

GPO delivers its full value when raw sheets are accurately machined into finished components. For data center builders and operators, that precision leads to practical benefits:

• Faster installation with parts that fit correctly the first time.
• Less onsite labor because components arrive finished and ready to mount.
• Consistent quality across multiple facilities and build phases.
• Reliable power distribution supported by accurately matched insulating parts.

When projects scale across regions, these advantages help reduce delays and improve long-term system performance.

Turning Material Expertise into Scalable Solutions

At thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics, we combine plastics knowledge with machining expertise to support power distribution applications in data centers. We help customers select the right GPO materials and deliver finished components built to meet demanding electrical and safety requirements.

Our approach goes beyond supplying material. Large-scale deployments require consistent fabrication, dependable logistics, and repeatable results across every site.

Our capabilities include:

• Precision fabrication – Waterjet cutting produces accurate parts without thermal distortion, supporting complex shapes and repeatable tolerances.
• Application knowledge – Experience in electrical and data center environments ensures components are built for real-world operating conditions.
• Scalable supply programs – Coordinated production and delivery models align with regional and national build schedules.
• Compliance support – Guidance on meeting UL, flame-resistance, and other safety standards required for mission-critical systems.

By aligning material performance with precise machining, we help customers move from design to installation with confidence, delivering GPO components that are consistent, installation-ready, and built to perform at scale.

Looking Ahead: GPO in the Next Era of Data Centers

As data centers continue to grow more power-dense and energy-intensive, insulating materials will play an even greater role in maintaining safe and stable electrical systems. GPO has long been valued for its electrical insulation, thermal stability, and mechanical strength. Moving forward, the focus will expand beyond material properties alone to how effectively those materials are machined, standardized, and delivered at scale.

We support this shift by pairing material expertise with precision fabrication and coordinated delivery programs. The result is consistent, installation-ready GPO components that help maintain the reliability of mission-critical power systems. As data center infrastructure advances, dependable insulating solutions will remain a key part of the foundation.

Let’s work together to build the next generation of reliable, high-performance data centers.