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A question of fine-tuning

Room tuning for data centers

First aid for your data center: Room tuning optimises your energy usage quickly and effectively. Cover panels seal gaps in server racks, processor power is evenly distributed, raised floors are free from cable spaghetti, and operating values are tuned to the optimum level. Your data center can then breathe freely. Cooling capacity is put to more effective use, and energy consumption drops.
 

Be chilled, not chilly!

Computers are at their best at a supply air temperature of 18 °C to max. 27 °C and 30 % to 60 % relative humidity. If the cooling power is turned up, the cooling compressor runs more often, and the air loses humidity. The result? The air-conditioning system dehumidifies the air. If humidity drops below the setpoint, it humidifies it again. Energy consumption rises – due to the longer compressor running time and the necessary extra power for humidifying and dehumidifying.
 

Traffic jams in the air flow

Data centres are divided into hot and cold aisles to ensure the best possible air distribution. The cold aisle conveys cooled supply air through the raised floor to the front of the server racks. In the hot aisle, heated exhaust air flows back to the air-conditioning unit. If the air flow is blocked or misdirected, the cooling effect is diminished – and power consumption rises. This is caused by raised floors clogged up with cables, short circuits of air in server racks, and an incorrectly set room temperature.
 

Hotspots

Often, planning of an air-conditioning system is based on the assumption that heat is distributed evenly. But the reality is different: Heat from high-powered computers, or misdirected cooling air, lead to so-called hotspots. If the thermal load on site lies above the planned average, not enough cold air gets to the computer. Simply reducing the target temperature results in considerable extra consumption, without solving the hotspot problem. For the flow of air is too weak to reach the hotspot.

Fine-tuning from the air-conditioning experts

Thermodynamics in the data centre is a complex affair. There are many ways to achieve greater energy efficiency. Our experts help you with a thorough analysis and competent advice.

Freeing the airways in the raised floor

In most data centres, the cooled air is conveyed to the server rack through raised floors. Unneeded cables an awkward pipework installations impede the air flow and reduce the effectiveness of cooling. Taking a few simple measures will bring you noticeable improvements

Layout plan for server racks

Distribute computer power evenly between all server racks. A layout plan increases operational reliability and reduces the risk of hotspots.

Cover panels for unused height units

Air always finds the path of least resistance. So seal unoccupied height units in the server racks with blanking panels, so that the cooled air flows through the server – not past it. This way, you will avoid short circuits of air, in which warm return air flows back into the server from the front.