26 July 2024 | EDP Europe Ltd
Improving IT Rack Airflow Management
Areas where Airflow Management can be improved
There are three levels where airflow management can be improved − Raised Floor, Rack and Row. The aim at each level is to prevent the mixing of hot and cold air streams. Cold air should only be supplied to the cold aisle and hot exhaust air should only exit into the hot aisle. At raised floor level it is important to seal openings in the raised floor to prevent air leakage, and at row level the implementation of an Aisle Containment Systems provides isolation of either the hot aisle (Hot Aisle Containment) or the cold aisle (Cold Aisle Containment).
Rack level Airflow Management
At rack level it is important to prevent the hot exhaust air from IT equipment from recirculating to the front of the rack where it can mix with the cold air cooling the equipment. This leads to an increase in air intake temperatures that can affect the performance and life expectancy of the IT equipment.
The Solution
The solutions for improving airflow management are relatively simple, cost effective, delivering a quick ROI.
Unused rack space should be sealed with blanking panels and any gaps between the rack mounting profiles and the sides of the rack should also be sealed.
EDP Distribution supplies leading blanking panel solutions from HotLok and EziBlank. HotLok Blanking Panels are a range of 1U or 2U panels that have integrated finger grips for easier handling when installing or removing the panel, along with cantilevered sealing vanes that provide a touch-tight seal to adjoining panels or equipment. EziBlank Blanking Panels are 6U blanking panel sheets that are scored at 1U intervals. This allows them to be easily resized to the required RU size needed. Their tool-less design enables them to be quickly installed into racks, with entire empty racks blanked out within a couple of minutes or less.
To seal gaps surrounding the rack mounting profiles, between cabinets, or between the rack frame and the floor, EDP offers RackSEAL a self-adhesive, expanding compressed foam tape air barrier. RackSEAL has the added benefit of allowing cables to be passed through, simply moulding itself around them to ensure gaps are sealed.
Discover more about these solutions by visiting our website or contact us today for more information or to discuss a requirement.
There are three levels where airflow management can be improved − Raised Floor, Rack and Row. The aim at each level is to prevent the mixing of hot and cold air streams. Cold air should only be supplied to the cold aisle and hot exhaust air should only exit into the hot aisle. At raised floor level it is important to seal openings in the raised floor to prevent air leakage, and at row level the implementation of an Aisle Containment Systems provides isolation of either the hot aisle (Hot Aisle Containment) or the cold aisle (Cold Aisle Containment).
Rack level Airflow Management
At rack level it is important to prevent the hot exhaust air from IT equipment from recirculating to the front of the rack where it can mix with the cold air cooling the equipment. This leads to an increase in air intake temperatures that can affect the performance and life expectancy of the IT equipment.
The Solution
The solutions for improving airflow management are relatively simple, cost effective, delivering a quick ROI.
Unused rack space should be sealed with blanking panels and any gaps between the rack mounting profiles and the sides of the rack should also be sealed.
EDP Distribution supplies leading blanking panel solutions from HotLok and EziBlank. HotLok Blanking Panels are a range of 1U or 2U panels that have integrated finger grips for easier handling when installing or removing the panel, along with cantilevered sealing vanes that provide a touch-tight seal to adjoining panels or equipment. EziBlank Blanking Panels are 6U blanking panel sheets that are scored at 1U intervals. This allows them to be easily resized to the required RU size needed. Their tool-less design enables them to be quickly installed into racks, with entire empty racks blanked out within a couple of minutes or less.
To seal gaps surrounding the rack mounting profiles, between cabinets, or between the rack frame and the floor, EDP offers RackSEAL a self-adhesive, expanding compressed foam tape air barrier. RackSEAL has the added benefit of allowing cables to be passed through, simply moulding itself around them to ensure gaps are sealed.
Discover more about these solutions by visiting our website or contact us today for more information or to discuss a requirement.