Server Power Distribution Boards (PDB)

Internal power distribution boards and paddle cards for Dell, HP, IBM & Sun servers

About Power Distribution Boards

The power distribution board (PDB, sometimes called a paddle board or power backplane) takes the DC output from the server's power supplies and distributes it to the motherboard, drive backplane, fans, and expansion cards. It is the internal power hub of the chassis — not to be confused with a rack PDU. When a PDB fails, the server may not power on, lose redundancy, or drop specific rails even with healthy PSUs installed.

Power distribution boards are chassis-specific: the connector layout, rail configuration, and PSU count all vary by server model and generation. We carry replacement PDBs, paddle cards, and power backplanes for Dell PowerEdge, HP ProLiant, IBM System x, and Sun/Oracle platforms. For rack power strips and outlet PDUs, see our rackmount power hubs instead.

Common Power Distribution Fitments

  • Dell PowerEdge (R910, R905, 2900, 1000e) — power distribution boards and paddle cards
  • HP ProLiant (ML370, ML570, DL160, DL580) — power backplanes and distribution boards
  • IBM System x & Sun/Oracle — power distribution assemblies by chassis

Diagnosing a no-power fault with good PSUs? Send us your server model and service tag and we will match the correct power distribution board.

Featured Power Distribution Boards Products

Browse all 1,638 Power Distribution Boards SKUs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a server power distribution board do?

It distributes the DC power from the server's power supplies to all internal components — motherboard, drive backplane, cooling fans, and PCIe cards. It also manages power redundancy so the server keeps running if one PSU fails. It is an internal component, distinct from a rack PDU that provides AC outlets in a rack.

How is a PDB different from a rack PDU?

A power distribution board (PDB) is inside the server chassis and routes DC power from the PSUs to internal components. A rack PDU is an external power strip mounted in the rack that provides switched or metered AC outlets to multiple devices. They solve different problems — this page covers the internal PDB; see our rackmount power hubs for rack PDUs.

Can a bad power distribution board cause a no-power fault?

Yes. If the PSUs test good and are seated correctly but the server will not power on, loses a specific voltage rail, or reports power-subsystem errors, the power distribution board is a common culprit. Because the PDB sits between the PSUs and everything else, a fault there can affect the whole system or just one section. Match the exact chassis model when replacing it.

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