Sealing Cable Openings in Data Centre Raised Floors
Improving Airflow Management in Data Centres
Floor grommets play a strategic role in managing airflow in data centres. These unassuming components play a critical part in maintaining optimal airflow within a facility. They directly impact equipment performance, improve efficiency and lower operational costs.
Basically, they are sealing devices designed to close off cable openings in raised floor environments. Data centres depend on under-floor spaces to distribute services like power and connectivity. Furthermore, they also use these spaces to supply cold air to IT equipment. However, these necessary openings create pathways for uncontrolled airflow, lowering the effectiveness of your cooling system.
Think of it like this: Imagine a leaky bucket. You keep pouring in water, but whilst there are holes, you will never fill it. Unsealed cable openings are like those holes. They continue to let conditioned air escape. Any airflow that fails to pass through equipment is known as Bypass Airflow.
This uncontrolled conditioned air also mixes with hot exhaust air from IT equipment. In doing so it creates Latent Cooling, which forces cooling systems to work harder and less efficiently. Basically, by sealing these “leaks”, it prevents air-streams from mixing and forcing cool air to where it is need most – cooling your servers.
Sealing cable openings provides various and valuable benefits, including:
- Improved Cooling Efficiency: Preventing bypass airflow, helps cool air reach your equipment more efficiently. This means you can rely less on overcooling and better adjust your cooling system settings.
- Reduced Energy Consumption: Less overcooling means using less energy. This results in lower electricity bills and significant cost savings.
- Improved Equipment Performance: Keeping equipment at a consistent and ideal temperature is important. It can prevent overheating, reduce the chances of equipment breaking, and lengthen the lifespan of valuable hardware.
- Increased Cooling Capability: By minimising bypass airflow, your cooling system can manage more heat. This means you can increase the number of servers without having to upgrade your cooling systems, which can be expensive.
- Better Management of Hot Spots: With targeted airflow control, you can manage hot spots more efficiently. This means directing cool air to areas with high heat density. Reducing the risk of localised overheating and improving temperature consistency throughout the space.
While there are different options for sealing cable openings available, KoldLok grommets are a top choice with data centre operators. They offer distinct advantages due to their superior design and performance.
- Efficient Sealing: KoldLok use patented technologies to seal cable openings tightly, reducing air leakage. The brush-based designs work with various cable setups. This ensures the best performance, no matter the size or number of cables.
- Long-lasting Construction: Made from strong materials, KoldLoks can manage the demands of a data centre. Designed to endure, delivering lasting performance and value.
- Quick and Easy Installation: They offer easy installation, minimising downtime, and operational disruptions. Some have snap-in or split-design options for fast and effortless deployment.
- Flexibility and Scalability: KoldLok provides a variety of sizes and configurations to fit different cable openings. This flexibility lets you adjust your airflow management plan as your data centre grows.
- A Complete Solution: Upsite Technologies makes KoldLok. They understand that sealing cable openings is only one part of the solution. They produce a range of airflow management solutions that include, HotLok blanking panels and AisleLok containment systems. These help you create a fully optimised cooling strategy.
