Temperature & humidity analysis & alert for a data center

For a data center temperature and humidity should be always under control and need to be controlled conditions. In order to check the same, a data center should be thoroughly studied at least once in a year for the following.

What are the tests to be done in a data center / server room?

Few of the regular tests we carry out are detailed below. Sl. Nos. i & ii are essential, but Sl. Nos. iii & iv are only with a view on energy conservation and need not be carried out more than once in three years.

1. Thermal Imaging

Thermal imaging is carried out using thermal imaging camera to find out hot points in electrical and mechanical systems to find out potential faulty areas. Thermal imaging analysis will be carried out on the following:

a. Distribution boards & ELCB panel in the electrical room adjacent to the data center. Any hot points will indicate loose contacts, faulty breakers, high resistance points etc.
b. Thermal imaging will be carried out on all data center panels. This analysis will identify whether there are any abnormally hot points in the entire data center. Any high-temperature area is a potential risk for damage to the particular components in the panel. This may cause shut down of the entire data center.
c. Thermal imaging of HVAC ducts wherever accessible which will reveal any leakage in the ducts.
All recorded data will form part of the report.
This test will be completed in two days.

2. Temperature & Humidity analysis in the data center.

Temperature & Humidity analysis in the data center. 15 nos. of Temperature & Humidity data loggers (or more as per the size of the room) will be placed at various points inside the data center including few inside the data center panels. The data will be recorded for 7 days. This is to analyze the temperature and humidity over a period of time. The readings should always be within limits to ensure smooth operation of the data center. Also, this will prevent damages to the electronic components. External temperature and humidity also will be recorded using a separate data logger to compare the inside conditions with respect to the outdoor conditions. After finding out hot points, we recommend placing temperature monitoring sensors at these points. This will be with phone call, SMS & email alert system. If the temperature (and humidity if required) exceeds the defined limits, these will be the first points which exceed the permitted temperature and hence will generate alerts.

3. Electrical load analysis

There will be few MDBs/DBs in the electrical room for the data center. Electrical data such as voltage, current, active and reactive power will be recorded on all these panels simultaneously for 7 days. The power consumption for all the data panels, lighting circuits and HVAC system will be recorded and analyzed. Any abnormal pattern of electrical consumption, if observed will be analyzed further.
We will provide recommendations for energy conservation based on this analysis.

4. HVAC system analysis

We will analyze the HVAC load if a separate feeder is available for the HVAC system of the data center. This will be based on the electrical data collected for 7 days along with item 1 described above.

Monitoring system with alert for data center & server room

After carrying out the tests 1 and 2 above, you can identify the spots to be monitored inside the data center or server room. Thereafter you may install the monitoring system with a phone call, SMS & Email alerts. Please see our separate page on our temperature & humidity monitoring system with alerts.