Solution
A scheme was designed between the data centre’s FM contractor and VES to retrofit a fresh air free-cooling system. The system would take control of the existing CRAC units, and tier these in as the outside temperature rose and amount of free-cooling reduced.
These units both filter and mix the fresh air, ensuring it’s clean and cold. VES fitted a new control panel that controls both the free cooling and CRAC units, and measures both the outside and data hall temperatures. It runs the centre on fresh air as much as possible, tiering in CRAC units as required. Equipment run times are recorded.
The client was experiencing hotspots by some racks, where ducting was impossible. VES powered the existing floor grilles with in-built fans, distributing the cooled air exactly where it is required. The old fans were AC belt driven and in need of regular maintenance, so VES replaced them with the latest low energy direct drive fan technology. This helped to:
- Reduce the chance of unit failure through broken drive belts
- Lower energy consumption
- Reduce maintenance
A simple, yet effective solution.