More About This Product
Cold Aisle Containment or CAC is a proven, relatively easy to deploy solution for effectively managing airflow within a data centre. A CAC system surrounds the cold aisle and it keeps cold supply air separate from hot server exhaust air. This setup reduces the chance of air mixing and bypass airflow.
Optimising cooling systems and improving energy efficiency are usually the main reasons for using this type of solution. They help lower costs, but there are also many other benefits you can gain.
Other benefits include:
- Better Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)
- Lower carbon emissions
- Longer lifespan for IT equipment
- Fewer equipment failures due to overheating
- Improved appearance of your data hall layout
Retrofitting Cold Aisle Containment System From EDP Europe
EDP provides custom Cold Aisle Containment solutions for existing data centres. These solutions are non-intrusive and designed just for you.
Bespoke aisle containment works for both hot and cold aisles. It can be customised to fit any mix of cabinets, IT infrastructure, and services. It also adapts to the unique features of the building.
Many Data Centres have evolved over time, leading to a mix of rack manufacturers, cabinet sizes, and cooling systems. EDP designs its fully flexible CAC solutions to work seamlessly with your existing setup.
How Cold Aisle Containment Works
The cold aisle containment system encloses the cold aisle and prevents the mixing of cold air with hot exhaust air. This lets hotter air go back to the CRAC units. It greatly improves how well your building’s cooling system works.
Regulating the airflow enables better control of the room’s temperature. Increasing the temperature of CRAC units by 1°C typically saves around 8% on cooling power bills.
In addition, the chiller units can utilise natural air temperature (free cooling) more effectively, further enhancing energy savings. 74% of server failures occur in the top third of the rack, where temperatures are typically hotter. CAC systems balance the temperature across all servers, regardless of their position in the rack.
Why Choose an EDP Aisle Containment Systems
EDP designs, makes, and installs custom aisle containment systems. These systems help manage airflow in data centres. They are suitable for retrofits, new builds, and large-scale projects.
Designed and made in the UK and USA. Our installation teams are in the UK, Europe, and USA to provide global support.
Scalable & modular, systems can be floor standing or suspended from structural ceilings.
Turn-key solution that is rack independent.
Bespoke design accommodates awkward spaces, obstacles, differing rack heights and allows for future rack expansion.
High-quality, reliable soft close, zero threshold synchronised sliding doors that open to the full aisle width.
Range of roof options, including FM approved roof panels that shrink and drop away, allowing fire suppression systems to access the aisle.
Types of Containment for Cold Aisles
EDP Aisle Containment systems create a controlled environment that contains cold air and optimises cooling supply to IT racks.
EDP supplies all systems with synchronised smooth glide doors or hinged doors.
Suspended CAC Solutions
EDP creates Suspended CAC to attach directly to a Data Centre’s structural ceiling grid or slab ceiling. This modular approach to rack deployment supports the structural framework and integrates with other overhead services.
To fit different rack heights, EDP provides adjustable options. These solutions fill the space between the top of the racks and the bottom of the CAC roof frame.
Floor Standing CAC Systems
EDP’s Floor Standing CAC is designed to be self-supporting. It can also be supported by server racks. There is no need for intrusive mechanical fixing to IT cabinets.
EDP can build the roof structure at the height of the tallest cabinet in an aisle. It can also raise the roof structure to give more headroom above the cold aisle. This helps with overhead services and improves cooling capacity.
Effective Aisle Containment Solution
Our team designs cold aisle containment projects to be simple and easy to use. We work hard and pay attention to details. We also make sure to meet all our clients’ needs. This meticulous attention to detail ensures our solution constantly evolves, and we pride ourselves on providing the most effective cold aisle containment solution available, and the highest level of customer service and support.
EDP also provides custom hot aisle containment systems, helping data centres effectively manage their hot aisles.
Read more about the benefits of cold aisle containment. Alternately, watch our short video.
Features & Benefits
EDP Cold Aisle Containment Features & Benefits:
- EDP cold aisle containment retrofits to existing cabinets no matter what their height, width or manufacturer.
- FM Approved roof panels that drop away in the event of a fire allowing fire suppression systems to access the aisle.
- Variety of different types of infill panels, either solid metal or metal frame with Perspex panel that can eliminate gaps caused by building supports or missing racks. In the case of missing racks the panels can be removed when a rack is relocated.
- Advanced door system with greater stability and full aisle opening for improved access.
- Can be utilised in new build projects or retrofitted within legacy environments.
- Cold air is directed straight into the servers, making them run more efficiently and reducing the risk of failure.
- With EDP cold aisle containment cost savings can be made, of between 10% and 30% on current building cooling systems:
- Power savings on room hardware (servers, switches, routers, etc.).
- Control of room temperatures, humidity, airflow and balancing.
- Improved U-space utilisation.
- Reduces the building’s carbon emissions, improving eco friendly status.
- Typical payback within less than 12 months.
- As CAC is easier to implement it makes it ideal for retrofitting in legacy environments.
- Primarily used in raised floor environments, however can be used in slab environments where in-row coolers are used.
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