While many data centers have embraced newer cooling technologies that are inherently more efficient than the systems of the past, outdated control strategies aren’t enabling these systems to deliver precisely the right amount of air to equipment racks with the greatest efficiency. A new control strategy has emerged that enables this level of control, but it means letting go of a practice that has served the industry for many, many years — managing cooling based on changes in pressure (Delta P).
This practice dates back to when the raised floor dominated data center designs and played a central role in thermal management. Using the charts developed by floor tile manufacturers, it was easy to correlate airflow based on the percent of perforation on a particular tile and the pressure differential across the tile. If more air was needed at a particular location, tiles with larger openings were selected or tiles were added in the cold aisle. If more airflow was needed across the whole space, Delta P was managed by increasing the cooling unit fan speed to increase airflow.