Optimal Data Center Efficiency using Differential Pressure: The Role of the Rotronic HF5A Transmitter

GMP Environment Monitoring in Pharma Production
Introduction

In the complex ecosystem of data centers, maintaining a controlled environment is crucial, not only to ensure the operational reliability of servers and hardware, but also to optimize energy costs and prevent premature equipment failure due to contaminants.

The data center temperature and humidity guidelines shown below are set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and are widely accepted:

  • Temperature limit: 18...27 °C.
  • Relative humidity limits: 40...60 %rh.
  • Dew-point limits: 5.5...15 °Cdp.

Critical Role of Differential Pressure in Data Centers

Differential pressure measurements play an integral role in achieving the guideline conditions within data centers. By accurately measuring the pressure differences between areas such as hot and cold aisles or inside and outside server cabinets, these measurements help maintain the right temperature and airflow necessary for highly efficient equipment operation.

Server-specific Cooling

In modern data center configurations where servers are mounted with internal fans (cold in/hot out setups), precise differential pressure measurements across the server walls are used to directly manage the speed of the server fans. This highly targeted approach accurately prevents overheating, optimizes server performance, and provides highly energy-efficient control.

Positive Pressure Environments

Many data centers also utilize wider positive pressures to prevent dust and contaminants from entering critical areas. By creating a closely controlled pressure profile, only highly filtered air can enter the data center and the positive pressure ensures clean air consistently flows out, rather than in, when doors to server rooms are opened.

HF5A advanced transmitter with PCD differential pressure probe

Differential pressure instruments like the HF5A with PCD can easily be installed in data centers. Instruments are installed at practical locations, then two flexible differential pressure tubes lead from each instrument to measurement points with differing air pressures, such as between server racks, across data center aisles, or across HEPA filters. This setup allows the Data Centre Integrated Management (DCIM) system to accurately gauge and adjust airflow via direct fan speed control, ensuring that the servers receive adequate cooling based on real-time needs.

Reliability and Repeatability

The HF5A transmitter from Rotronic is our most reliable, accurate and advanced transmitter. The HF5 range has proven itself to be a vital instrument in critical applications. Field failures are not accepted in applications where HF5 products are installed; engineers know they can rely on the HF5 range with smart probes in exactly these applications.

Near Zero Downtime

The HF5A goes further by supporting our advanced digital differential pressure probes. The PCD range can be hot swapped in moments, should a probe need to be replaced, e.g. for calibration. The PCD differential pressure probe offers exceptional accuracy, speed of response and minimal long-term drift, reducing the frequency of recalibrations and ensuring stable operation over time. The latest HF5A also supports our range of humidity and temperature probes; finally, one transmitter can be used, with your data center, for all critical control and monitoring locations.

Optimized Cooling and Airflow

Our PCD probes are available with mass flow or membrane sensors. Mass flow sensors are exceptionally stable and provide extremely fast measurements. With analog or digital outputs, the HF5A can easily be integrated into any DCIM system. Our clients know that selecting robust, accurate, reliable and globally supported instruments significantly reduces the total cost of ownership.

Enhanced System Reliability

By using highly accurate, low-drift instrumentation, data centers can significantly reduce their cooling-related energy consumption, not just during initial commissioning but also longer term, over many years.

Conclusion

The integration of the HF5A transmitter – with our PCD digital differential pressure probe – into data center operations, marks a transformative advancement in managing these critical environments. By delivering precise, reliable and repeatable measurements, the HF5A not only enhances the operational efficiency of data centers, but also contributes to significant energy and cost savings. Data center engineers and designers seeking to optimize their facilities will find the HF5A to be an indispensable tool in their technological arsenal, along with our range of fixed-probe instruments (including the HF3, PF4 and PF5) and our other HF5A-compatible digital probes (HC2A for Humidity and Temperature and TCD for Temperature only).

Related Content

Choose the right humidity transmitter for your application
Transmitter and Digital Probes Revolutionizing Thermal Measurements
HF5A Transmitter - Precision Allrounder for Critical Measurements
Differential Pressure Measurement Cabinets
Product Ranges Humidity and Temperature Measurement
Transmitters for Humidity Measurement
Measurement Instruments for Data Centers

External Links

Ashrae: Data Center Controls Reliability
Wikipedia: HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Filter




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