Networks Europe Jul-Aug 2015 | Page 22

LOAD TESTING xxxxxxx opportunity in the project and avoid alternative load bank solutions that will cause delays to the IST program. Common Mistakes The restricted choice in the market dilutes the availability of load bank choices and equipment. Decisions to select on cost the wrong type of load bank solution can compromise the validity of the IST, but the unknown hidden problems will not manifest until the data hall goes live with active IT equipment. The temptation to choose 20KW 3 phase industrial space heaters rather than load bank server simulators effects the commissioning of mechanical cooling systems. The design of such heaters prevents the elevation of the ambient room temperature reaching the design criteria needed to commission the CRAC or AUH units. Some suppliers have removed the thermostatic controls only to find the space heater over heats and in some circumstance catches fire. The choice of large 110KW load banks can be justified when testing site equipment such as PDU panels, bus bars or switchboards to Level 3 ASHRAE requirements. These load banks provide a cost effective solution to proving the electrical infrastructure of the mega data centres, however they will create localised hotspots or areas of concentrated heat should they be used for the commissioning of the cooling systems. In extreme circumstances during tier certification the electrical load has been provided from 2KW infrared heaters or 1KW hair dryers. Infrared heaters create an ambient temperature of >40 degrees Celsius and wall skin temperatures of 70 degrees Celsius. Hair dryers are not designed for continuous operation as required in an IST. This type of low cost solution should not be considered to replicate the operation of IT equipment and risks costly delays while compromising the integrity of the testing program. Achieving Cost Savings Schneider Electric White paper Completing an IST to budget takes on a greater importance when commissioning a mega data centre, especially with the number of rental load banks that will be required. The increase in size of the facility will increase the time needed to complete the commissioning, so by combining the latest technologies traditional delays often associated with load banks can now be avoided. By selecting solutions that give enhanced data logging, the commissioning report will also give the client detailed levels of operating information and fully auditable reports for future tenants considering use of the space. Data logging can also be used in CFD models to ensure that the mega data centre is ready to use. Schneider Electric White paper Today’s IST requires a package of equipment that wil