structured testing
distribution, with direct connection to
PDUs. This type of load is unsuitable
for data centres that have some or all
of the IT racks deployed.
We recommend for optimum
testing that the heat load should be
sized and distributed to replicate the
IT layout and be connected to the
power distribution.
Typically heatload.co.uk is engaged
during levels 4 and 5 of data centre
testing; teaming up with a number of
partners who are able to provide load
banks in support of level 1 to 3.
Test the computational fluid
dynamics (CFD) mode l
chillers, generators, transformers and
UPS individually and as a system.
Level 4 and 5 testing brings
together all of the combined power
and cooling systems supporting the
data centre, as well as life safety,
security etc. The testing requires the
load to be located within the IT space
and much more granular in terms
of size, location and capacity of the
load banks. The load banks should
replicate the final layout and capacity
of the IT equipment.
There is a temptation to fill the
data centre with large space heaters,
each of 50kw of more. This type
of load is fine for testing the total
capacity of the room. However, it is
not suitable for room validation or
testing the IT layout. Larger capacity
units are likely to bypass the power
It is likely that the design has been
tested using computational fluid
dynamics (CFD) modelling tools. Level
5 testing should include room validation
that proves the model. This will give the
end user of the facility full confidence
in the model. Once the data centre
is operational it is unlikely that further
heat load testing can be achieved; so
changes in the IT infrastructure should
be modelled to fully understand the
impact to the data centre.
The best way of proving the
model is to fully replicate the heat
load layout. This means using heat
load that replicates that of the model
and fully monitoring the testing using
temperature sensors. Ideally the
data centre should be flooded with
temperature sensors, with multiple
sensors at the front and rear of every
rack location.
Recent integration between
the sensor manufacturer’s capture
software and the CFD modelling
software allows real time modelling,
using real data. The original
predictive model can then be
compared with the real time one.
During 2016 heatload.co.uk is
looking to offer this as a service.
Test at different IT capacities
The temptation is to just test the
data centre at 100 per cent IT
capacity because IT has specified the
load and migration of IT equipment
will be rapid. This is not always the
case. IT may have overspecified the
IT load and the migration plan might
be too aggressive for the end users.
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