Data Gathering

The key to creating a CFD that is accurate is in the data gathering process. Good data results in good data out.

SubZero Engineering has created a proprietary software that is used on a tablet PC for the purpose of accurate data center data gathering. Our software will fully inventory all equipment in the data center by location, make, model, and heat load (see important information regarding heat load).

There are two basic categories of data to collect:

1. 1.Facility
2. 2.Rack

Facility Data Gathering

• •Data center airflow envelope
• •Walls
• •Subfloor obstructions
• •Cable cutouts
• •Subfloor depth
• •Perforated Tiles and percentage of opening
• •AC make and model
• •AC set points
• •Ceiling plenum
• •Elevation

Rack Data Gathering

• •Rack Dimension
• •Airflow (front to back, front to top, bottom to top, etc.)
• •Equipment inventory
• •Make, model
• •Placement in rack
• •Blanking panels (or lack of)
• •Equipment

Note: Nameplate ratings should at no time be used as a measure of equipment heat release. The purpose of a nameplate rating is solely to indicate the maximum power draw for safety and regulatory approval. Similarly, the heat release values should not be used in place of the nameplate rating for safety and regulatory purposes.

In determining the correct equipment power and airflow characteristics, the goal is to have an algorithm that works with variations in configurations and that is reasonably accurate. Heat release numbers, in watts, should be based on the following conditions:

• Steady state
• User controls or programs set to a utilization rate that maximizes the number of simultaneous components, devices, and subsystems that are active
• Nominal voltage input
• Ambient temperature between 18°C and 27°C (64.4°F and 80.6°F)
• Air moving devices at nominal speed