www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I November 2023 21
Business
Continued from page 19
In addition to temperature control , proper humidity levels are critical in data centres . High humidity can lead to condensation , which poses a significant risk to sensitive electronic components and can cause corrosion , short circuits and equipment failure . On the other hand , low humidity levels can increase the risk of electrostatic discharge , damaging delicate components . Therefore , data centres maintain humidity levels between 40 % and 55 % to create a safe and stable environment for the equipment .
Air filtration is another essential aspect of data centre cooling . The air quality within data centres must be free from dust , particles and contaminants that can harm sensitive hardware and hinder performance . Air filtration systems ensure clean air is circulated throughout the facility , minimising the risk of equipment damage and maintaining optimal operational conditions .
Energy efficiency is a growing concern in data centre design , given the immense power requirements of these facilities . Efficient cooling systems can significantly contribute to reducing energy consumption and operating costs . Modern data centres employ innovative cooling techniques such as hot aisle or cold aisle containment , in-row cooling and liquid cooling to maximise cooling efficiency , while minimising energy usage . These methods focus cooling precisely where it is needed , reducing wasted energy and promoting sustainable operations .
Moreover , effective HVAC & R systems in data centres contribute to the overall reliability and uptime of the facility . By maintaining the optimal operating conditions , the risk of equipment failures and subsequent service interruptions is minimised . Reliable cooling infrastructure ensures that data centre operations continue uninterrupted , safeguarding critical data and preserving the trust of customers and stakeholders .
With the increasing demand for data storage and processing , ensuring the proper management of heat , temperature , humidity and air quality is essential . Implementing efficient and reliable cooling systems not only protects valuable equipment but also optimises energy consumption , reduces downtime and contributes to the overall success and longevity of data centres in the digital era .
According to Trafo Power Solutions managing director David Claassen , there is a significant amount of data space currently being constructed in South Africa . Alongside the issue of data security , says Claassen , the top priority in these facilities is uptime – as a data centre can simply never be offline .
“ The volume of equipment in these large server rooms creates considerable heat and therefore requires extensive cooling facilities – all leading to high levels of energy demand ,” says Claassen . “ Transformers therefore play an important role in these operations , and they must function to the highest levels of safety and reliability .”
He notes that South Africa faces a significant additional challenge , with unreliable electricity supply from the national utility . This requires backup power facilities to be installed , so that 100 % uptime can be guaranteed .
“ Even aside from the power supply issues , data centres must deliver a constant service without interruption , so redundancy capacity is required should any of the system components go down ,” he says . “ This redundancy can effectively double the design capacity of these centres .”
In these applications , dry-type transformers are well suited in terms of safety and risk , he explains . As the units are cooled by air and not oil , there is zero risk of fire and no chance of oil leakage . These transformers have an F1 fire rating , demonstrating their resistance to flammability - they are designed to be flameretardant and do not generate harmful emissions .
By not having oil as a coolant , the maintenance of drytype transformers is also reduced substantially . Oil-cooled transformers , by contrast , experience frequent oil temperature variations as load rises and drops . This variation creates opportunities for moisture ingress , making regular oil sampling and testing vital . If this is not conducted regularly , performance becomes unreliable .
“ Dry-type transformers can be installed inside or outside of a building or substation , with no special fire protection systems needed ,” he says . “ As oil testing is not required , dry-type transformers need very little maintenance – adding to their cost-effectiveness .”
He explains that data centres have high levels of non-linear loading , so these transformers must be designed for a high K-factor of typically around 13 . The quick pace of construction of these facilities also often favours a modular approach to which the dry-type transformer lends itself well .
“ Modular substations can be rapidly manufactured , and dry-type transformers can be readily incorporated without the need for any special fire suppression ,” says Claassen . “ Another important factor is efficiency , as large data centres could consume as much power as a mining operation .” RACA
REFERENCES : 1 . TechTarget 2 . Trafo
“ The air quality within data centres must be free from dust , particles and contaminants .”
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I November 2023 21