Cooling Strategies for
Small IT Rooms
Presented by Jim Magallanes
TechniCool Innovations Inc.
jim@CRuptime.com
1811 Upham Street Suite B-1, Broomfield CO 80020
303-908-8043 Phone / 888-883-8353 Fax
www.CRuptime.com
Outline

Small IT Rooms

Electronic Equipment Trends

Cooling Load

Best Cooling Practices

Cooling Solutions






Portable Systems
Mini Split Systems
A/C Computer Cabinet Systems
A/C Ceiling Systems
Precision Ceiling Systems
Conclusion
Jim Magallanes
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Small IT Rooms

Data Centers & Large Computer Rooms


Always include a dedicated cooling system
Small IT Rooms

Many IT devices are located outside computer room









Closets /Branch Offices / Storage Rooms / Open Offices
Never designed for cooling IT equipment
Power density of IT equipment has increased over time
 Servers / Telecom / VOIP Routers & Switches / UPS
Floor Space is a Premium: <100 ft2
Contents: 1 – 3 Equipment Racks
Heat Load per Rack: 1.0 - 2.0 kW Avg.
Typical Cooling: None or Building Cooling During Day
Remote location of building
Security: Medium

Jim Magallanes
Locked Door and/or Locked Cabinet
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Small IT Rooms

Approach to cooling small IT Rooms



Ignore cooling requirement
Deploy equipment … deploy more equipment
Call CTM frantically when IT equipment overheats and/or fails



Cooling Strategy


Average small IT room can contain up to several hundred
thousand dollars of equipment
Network down results in more than IT replacement cost
 Lost sales / productivity / equipment / data
Requires proactive approach ensuring the uptime availability
of your IT network
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms


Basic cooling principals for small IT rooms
Available cooling options
Jim Magallanes
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Electronic Equipment Trends

Power = Heat

Servers

Blade Servers
 Smaller & More Powerful

IP & VOIP Telecom Equip

High-powered switches
and equipment
 Low-powered legacy


Requires UPS support
Overheated IT equipment





Figure: Product Heat Density Chart
(The Uptime Institute)
Reduced Life / Hardware Damage
Reduced Reliability
Slower Network
Costly System Downtime
General Rule

Every 10°C temperature rise in nominal temperatures produces a
50% reduction in the lifetime and long-term reliability of IT hardware
- MIL-HDBK 217 / Arrhenius Models
Jim Magallanes
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Electronic Equipment Trends

Power = Heat

Servers

Blade Servers
 Smaller & More Powerful

IP & VOIP Telecom Equip

High-powered switches
and equipment
 Low-powered legacy


Requires UPS support
Overheated IT equipment





Figure: Product Heat Density Chart
(The Uptime Institute)
Reduced Life / Hardware Damage
Reduced Reliability
Slower Network
Costly System Downtime
General Rule

Every 10°C temperature rise in nominal temperatures produces a
50% reduction in the lifetime and long-term reliability of IT hardware
- MIL-HDBK 217 / Arrhenius Models
Jim Magallanes
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Heat Problem for Small IT Rooms

Businesses dependent on computers and telecom equipment
2008
for day-to-day operations

Need to keep IT equipment cool



ASHRAE Technical Committee 9.9
Temperatures
Thermal Guidelines
64.4
80.6
6
(°F)
18 C
27 C
 Inlet Temperatures
Humidity Levels
44 - 60 25 - 48 40  Costly to rely on building A/C
(%RH)
Data Centers
Dew Point (°F)
41.9
59
N/
ASHRAE – Thermal Guidelines for
 Upper range temperatures acceptable
Data Processing Environments



Tight controls/monitoring
Redundancy
Small IT Rooms
 Temperatures in the 60Fs to lower 70Fs (18 – 22 C) are practical




Recommended Rec
Range
Min
Max
M
Looser controls/monitoring
No redundancy
Extend UPS Battery life by 3 times with lower temperatures: 5 years
Supplement building cooling


Jim Magallanes
After business hours/weekends/holidays
Cold-weather months when central system is in heating mode
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Load

Determining the cooling load in a wiring closet

Incremental load from equipment

Nameplate rating
 Usually overstated

ASHRAE TC 9.9: Load during operating conditions
 Not yet adopted by manufacturers

Determine cooling load from UPS load


Load from all equipment connected to the UPS
Dependent on day and time
 Monitor over a period time to get worst case scenario

Other sources of heat


Room Dimension: Temp Increases as Room Decreases


Lights/windows/outside wall/etc…
Ability to dissipate heat
Electrical power to rejected heat conversion

1 kW = 3,413 Btu/hr.

Jim Magallanes
12,000 Btu/hr = 1 ton of A/C
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions & Best Cooling Practices

Cooling Solutions

Primary cooling for IT equipment


Nights & Weekends when building a/c is off



Added denser IT equipment
Seasonal: Summer or Winter
Redundancy / Emergency backup to primary cooling


Shut down building a/c when people are not in the building
Supplemental Cooling


Small IT room is not air conditioned
Planned or unplanned shut downs: Inexpensive insurance plan
Best Practices

Spot Cool vs. Traditional A/C

Managing Air Movement
 Direct cold air to front of server: Airflow = Front to Back

Do not cool down the entire room
 Back of the rack: Up to 36°F Hotter

Cold Aisle / Hot Aisle


Use blanking panels for unoccupied rack space
Organize cabling

Jim Magallanes
Maximize airflow
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – Portable Systems

Portable Systems

A self contained packaged air conditioner that is on wheels
and is easily movable to spot cool “hot spots”




Power: 115 VAC, 230 VAC, & 460 VAC
Heat rejection: Ceiling plenum
Air or water cooled
Condensation removal
 Tank: Emptying depends on humidity
 Pump: Drain/sink/water line

End-user Installation



Connect accessories (15 – 20 minutes)
Non-standard applications may require contractor
Cooling Capacity

Jim Magallanes
1 – 5 Ton units available
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – Portable Systems

Portable system features


Wide cooling capacity range
Voltage: 115V, 230V, or 460V


Condensation removal



Tank: Empty periodically
Pump to drain/sink/water line
Operational features



Approx. 1.5 Tons at 115V
Automatic Restart
Air delivery
 Grille or nozzle
Ducting Capabilities


Jim Magallanes
Exhaust
 Long ducting runs
Return/Make-up Air
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – Portable Systems

Pros






Low cost
Relocate unit from room to room
Moves with tenant
Little installation required
No outdoor equipment
Cons


Floor space required
Small heat load on building’s A/C


Condensate removal


Typically not a problem
Tank or pump
No Humidity Controls
Jim Magallanes
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – Mini Split Systems

Mini Split Systems

Consists of 2 units connected by refrigerant lines

Indoor Unit – Inside the wiring closet
 Discharges cold air

Refrigerant lines
 Transfers heat to the outdoor unit

Outdoor Unit – Outside the building
 Discharges hot air to the environment

Designed for comfort cooling
 High latent cooling


Contractor Installation



Removes moisture from air
Mounting/electrical/refrigerant lines/condensate line
System comes with pre-charged refrigerant lines
Cooling Capacity

Jim Magallanes
1 – 3 Ton units available
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – Mini Split Systems
Installation
Guidelines
Wiring Closet
Indoor
Unit
Outside Building
Refrigerant
Lines
70 FT
25 FT
Outdoor
Unit
Jim Magallanes
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – Mini Split Systems

Pros




Low cost
No floor space required
No affect on building’s A/C system
Cons

Location Restrictions



Landlord Approval




Leasehold improvement
No Humidity Controls
Reliability


Maximum height difference: 25 Ft
Maximum piping length: 70 Ft
Possible leaks at quick-connect
Condensate removal
Does not work in extreme low temperatures
Jim Magallanes
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – A/C Computer Cabinet

Air Conditioned Computer Cabinet

A standard 19” computer cabinet housing a self contained
packaged air conditioner
 Power: 115 VAC and 230 VAC


Heat rejection: Ceiling plenum
Condensation removal
 Pump: Drain/sink/water line
 Evaporative: Exhausts condensation
in warm condenser air


End-user Installation


Delivers data center infrastructure to
LAN room/wiring closet
Connect accessories (20 – 30 minutes)
Cooling capacity per computer cabinet

Jim Magallanes
½ - 1 Ton units available
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – A/C Computer Cabinet

A/C Computer Cabinet Features



Cooling capacity to match IT load
Voltage: 115V or 230V
Airflow Pattern


Air conditioner Location



Pump to drain/sink/water line
Evaporate in exhaust: Poor IAQ
Backup Cooling




Bottom of cabinet to prevent water leak
Condensation Removal


Most IT Equipment: Front to Back
Backup UPS for cooling
Fresh outside air
Automatic Restart
Airflow Pattern
Front to Back
Environmental Monitoring
Airflow Pattern: Side to Side
Jim Magallanes
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – A/C Computer Cabinet

Pros







Low cost
Relocate unit from room to room
Used in open office environments
Moves with tenant
Little installation required
No outdoor equipment
Efficient cooling



Brings cooling directly to IT heat source: Cold Aisle / Hot Aisle
Delivers data center infrastructure to wiring closet
Cons

Small heat load on building’s A/C




Typically not a problem
Manufacturer specific cabinet
No Humidity controls
Condensation removal
Jim Magallanes
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – A/C Ceiling Systems

A/C Ceiling Systems


Packaged air conditioner that fits above the drop ceiling
plenum that only has A/C capabilities.
Packaged system



Contractor Installation



Air Cooled
Water-cooled
Minimal labor
Unit comes pre-charged with refrigerant
Cooling Capacity

Jim Magallanes
1 – 5 Ton units available
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – A/C Ceiling Systems

A/C Ceiling System Features



Cooling capacity: 1 – 5 Tons
Voltage: 115V or 230V
Condensation removal



Pump to drain / sink
/ water line
Gravity drain
Air delivery
Supply air ducting
 Exhaust air ducting
 Return air ducting
Optional Features
 Automatic restart
 BMS compatibility


Jim Magallanes
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – A/C Ceiling Systems

Pros

Configurable




No floor space required
Low profile fits most ceiling plenums
Ducting capabilities



Air-cooled or water-cooled
Cold supply air
Exhaust air
Cons


Contractor installed
Landlord Approval



Leasehold improvement
No humidity controls
Small heat load on building’s A/C

Jim Magallanes
Typically not a problem
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – Precision Ceiling Systems

Precision Ceiling Systems


A precision ceiling system is an air conditioner that fits
above the drop ceiling plenum that has humidity and
reheat capabilities.
Engineered system for specific applications

Packaged or split systems
 Packaged: (1) component inside building
 Split: Components inside and outside building


Contractor Installation



Air-cooled/water-cooled/chilled water-cooled systems
Copper piping/electrical/mounting/condensate line
Charges with refrigerant on-site
Cooling Capacity

Jim Magallanes
1 – 8 Ton units available
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – Precision Ceiling Systems

Precision ceiling features



Wide cooling capacity range
Voltage: 115V, 230V, or 460V
Condensation removal



Operational features


Pump to drain/sink/water line
Gravity drain
Automatic Restart
Air delivery

Jim Magallanes
Grille
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – Precision Ceiling Systems

Pros

Highly configurable




No floor space required
Multiple Options


Packaged or Split
Air-cooled/Water-cooled/chilled water-cooled
Humidity controls/alarms/etc…
Cons





Very high cost
May require outdoor heat rejection equipment
Plenum space above ceiling is limited
Air Delivery is fixed location
Landlord Approval


Leasehold improvement
Engineered for application

Jim Magallanes
Contractor installed: Expensive
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Solutions – Comparison Chart
Cost /
Adaptable
Portable
Systems
Mini Split
Systems
Low /
Flexible
Low /
Specific
Buildings
A/C
Computer
Cabinet
Moderate
/ Flexible
A/C
Ceiling
Systems
Moderate
/ Flexible
Precision
Ceiling
Systems
Jim Magallanes
High /
Flexible
Ideal Wiring Closet
Comments
Loads: 1 – 5 Tons
Requires floor space
Works with any building
Ideal for backup cooling
• Cost effective solution
• Loads: 0 – 3 Tons
• Close proximity to outside
• No floor space
• Comfort cooling design
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Loads: .5 – 1 Ton/cabinet
No floor space required
Works with any building
Optional alarm/Mini DC
• Little installation required
• Moves with tenant
• Air or water cooled
• Cost effective solution
• Leasehold improvement
• Cost effective solution
• Efficient cooling system
• Little installation required
• Moves with tenant
• Loads: 1 – 5 Tons
• Low height in plenum
• No floor space
• Air or water cooled
• Loads: 1 – 8 Tons
• No Floor space
• Alarms needed
• Better ROI > 3 Tons
• Cost effective solution
• Leasehold improvement
• Site monitoring system
• Leasehold improvement
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Strategies Conclusion

Small IT Room

Dedicated A/C system

Electronic equipment benefits
 Increased life/reliability/server speed
 Improve security with locked door

Selecting a cooling solution



Building structure
Budget
Closet requirements
 Floor space
 Location within building
 Available power


Own/Leasehold improvement
Insurance Policy – Mission Critical IT Network

Jim Magallanes
Redundant cooling solution for shut-downs
(planned/unplanned)
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms
 Questions
www.CRuptime.com
jim@CRuptime.com
303-908-8043 Phone
Jim Magallanes
Cooling Strategies for Small IT Rooms – CTM 2013 Operations Seminar