Data center environmental monitoring - Humidity and temperature

Data centers are the brains of almost any company whose success depends on efficient and reliable software operations. As there is quite a bit of powerful hardware sitting in one place, data centers must be safeguarded against both external and internal environmental influences, while the buildings also require sufficient cooling.

Data centers are energy-intensive facilities, currently consuming more than 1.3% of the world's total electricity production. This energy is transformed into heat that has to be conveyed and dissipated away from the equipment racks in order to maintain the correct operating temperature. It's also important to monitor the server room temperature to keep it at an optimal level. Cooling and air conditioning is one of the most important processes in any data center. Data center cooling can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the location and the local climate.Download application note on 'How to keep data centers cool'.

Refrigerant cooling consumes a lot of energy, but its usage can be reduced by taking the climate into consideration when choosing the location for the data center. In dry climates evaporative cooling is effective at dissipating heat. In cold climates direct cooling with dry, cold air can be used. Locations near water offer the possibility to dissipate the heat into the water.

Monitoring temperature and humidity

Temperature is monitored and controlled using a Computer Room Air Conditioner unit (CRAC), which performs both heating and cooling functions (though not simultaneously). For heating, the CRAC recirculates warm air from the hot aisles with cool make-up air; for cooling, incoming air is chilled to achieve the correct temperature.

In addition to temperature, monitoring and controlling humidity in the equipment room is also critical. Especially in cool climates where air-side economizers are used, the absolute water content of the air is naturally low. The relative humidity of air decreases when it is heated, meaning that it may fall below the desired level. Air that is too dry increases the risk of static electricity and requires additional humidification by means of spray or evaporative humidifiers.

Benefits of accurate and reliable monitoring and measurements

Critical environments require high-performance environmental monitoring and measurements in order to operate consistently and within specifications. As data centers are expected to run 24/7 all year round, failures are not an option. In addition, even small measurement errors can increase the energy bill significantly.

Vaisala offers the widest selection of measurement devices, data loggers, and monitoring systems for use in data center facility management to monitor temperature, relative humidity, CO₂, wet bulb temperature, dew point temperature, enthalpy, and weather parameters. The instruments include industrial grade and HVAC transmitters that are suitable for use in data centers.

Vaisala HUMICAP^® sensors are known for their accuracy, excellent long-term stability, and negligible hysteresis. You can get high-quality instruments that measure the conditions with high accuracy -  devices with 0.1°C and 1%RH accuracy are readily available.

For reliability, stability, and accuracy, Vaisala's high-quality measurement and monitoring devices are an investment that pays off in the long run,

Learn more about our sensors suitable for use in data center humidity and temperature monitoring: HMT330, HMDW110, HMT120/130, and HMW90 or contact us for more information.