Rack Cooling
Rack cooling is a specialised cooling system designed to manage the significant heat generated by high-density electronic equipment within server racks. Its purpose is to maintain optimal operating temperatures, protecting valuable hardware and ensuring consistent performance of your server rack. Rack cooling solutions are necessary because modern servers and network devices emit substantial heat, which can lead to system failures or reduced lifespan if not controlled.
RS Australia offers a comprehensive catalogue of rack cooling systems, including efficient server rack fans and complete data rack cooling solutions. You can find server rack coolers suitable for both individual server cabinets and larger enclosed server rack setups, ensuring you have a rack with cooling that meets your needs.
How Does Rack Cooling Work?
Rack cooling functions primarily to remove excess heat generated by servers and network equipment inside server racks. Its purpose is to maintain optimal operating temperatures, protecting valuable hardware and ensuring consistent performance of electronic systems.
Most rack cooling systems utilise server rack fans or data rack fans that draw cool air from the front or bottom of the rack. They then exhaust hot air out the rear or top, creating a directed airflow path to dissipate heat efficiently.
Thermal sensors integrated within the rack cooling system continuously monitor internal temperatures. These sensors activate rack fans or trigger alarms when temperatures exceed optimal levels, ensuring equipment remains within safe operating parameters and preventing thermal shutdowns.
Types of Rack Cooling
Rack cooling units come in various fan configurations, designed to suit different server rack setups and heat loads. These can be top-mounted units or specialised rack-mounted fan trays, often available in U sizes like 1U or 2U, for efficient airflow management.
Server Rack Fans & Data Rack Fans
Server rack fans and data rack fans are individual fans or fan trays mounted directly within or on top of server racks. They are ideal for small to medium installations or open-frame racks where supplemental air movement is needed. Their main function is to exhaust hot air and improve general airflow circulation around server and networking equipment.
Rack Cooling Systems & Server Rack Coolers
Rack cooling systems and server rack coolers are active cooling units, which can include thermoelectric modules, in-rack air conditioning units, or even liquid cooling solutions. Engineers design them for high-density server environments or critical infrastructure. They are suitable for large-scale data rack cooling where passive airflow or basic fans are not enough to manage extreme heat loads, offering robust rack cooling solutions for complex data rack setups.
Enclosed Server Rack Cooling Solutions
Enclosed server rack cooling solutions specifically address cooling setups for fully enclosed server rack cabinets or sealed racks. One finds solutions here to manage internal airflow effectively when external ventilation is limited. They often include dedicated fan-assisted or integrated cooling systems within the server cabinet, ensuring optimal temperatures without compromising the security or environmental sealing of the enclosed server rack.
How to Choose the Right Server Rack Cooling System
Selecting the correct server rack cooling system is essential for maintaining optimal operating temperatures, protecting valuable hardware, and ensuring the longevity of your IT infrastructure. Careful consideration prevents overheating and potential downtime.
- Rack size (e.g., 42U, 45U): The overall rack size influences the volume of air needing exchange and the type of rack cooling solution that will fit and operate efficiently.
- Heat output (BTU/hr): Accurately calculate the total heat generated by all installed equipment in BTUs per hour. The chosen rack cooling system or server rack cooler must have a sufficient cooling capacity to dissipate this heat effectively, preventing thermal issues.
- Airflow (CFM) and direction: Consider the required Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) of airflow and its direction. Different server rack fans or cooling systems offer front-to-back, top-to-bottom, or side-to-side airflow, crucial for efficient heat extraction from equipment.
- Enclosed vs open rack environments: Enclosed systems often require integrated rack cooling solutions or specialised server cabinet coolers for directed airflow, whereas open racks may benefit from simpler fan-based solutions.
- Match use cases to solutions: Individual server rack fans or data rack fans suit smaller rooms, while comprehensive rack cooling systems or data rack cooling units are designed for high-density environments.
Mistakes to Avoid when Buying Server Rack Cooling Solutions
Ignoring key factors when purchasing server rack cooling solutions can lead to inefficient cooling, equipment damage, and costly downtime. Avoid these common pitfalls:
- Ignoring BTU output of installed equipment: Under-sizing your rack cooling system can result in hot spots and premature equipment failure, even with active server rack fans.
- Overlooking airflow path obstruction: Improper cable management or poorly placed components can obstruct airflow paths within the server rack. Even with adequate cooling systems, obstructed airflow creates hot zones, reducing cooling efficiency and risking equipment performance.
- Incompatible fan mounting or voltage: Selecting server rack fans that do not fit your rack's mounting standards or operate on incompatible voltages leads to non-functional or damaged cooling components.
- Failing to consider future rack expansion: Planning for future servers or upgrades ensures your rack with cooling can scale effectively, avoiding expensive retrofits later.
Industrial Applications of Rack Cooling Solutions
Rack cooling solutions are vital across numerous industrial sectors, protecting sensitive electronic equipment and ensuring operational continuity by effectively managing heat.
- Data Centres & IT Infrastructure: Data centres employ server rack fans, in-row coolers, and enclosed server rack designs to manage immense heat loads from high-density server racks and networking gear, ensuring optimal performance and preventing downtime.
- Manufacturing & Industrial Automation: In factories, rack cooling protects industrial control systems, PLCs, and human-machine interfaces (HMIs) housed in server cabinets. Cooling systems ensure reliable operation despite ambient heat, dust, or vibration on the factory floor.
- Telecommunications: Telecom facilities rely on consistent rack cooling to maintain the performance of network switches, routers, and communication components. Efficient cooling solutions prevent overheating in densely packed server racks, guaranteeing stable network connectivity.
- Energy (Wind or Water): Control systems for wind turbines, hydro-electric plants, and substations often reside in server cabinets. Rack cooling systems protect their electronic equipment from extreme temperatures, ensuring the reliability of critical infrastructure in remote or harsh environments.
- Healthcare: Hospitals and laboratories use rack cooling for critical medical imaging equipment, diagnostic tools, and data storage server racks. Reliable cooling systems are essential to maintain the accuracy and longevity of sensitive devices that impact patient care.
- Universities & Research: Research institutions and universities deploy rack cooling solutions in their data centres, supercomputing clusters, and laboratory setups. They provide the necessary cooling system for high-performance computing and experimental equipment, crucial for data integrity and research continuity.
Buy Rack Cooling Solutions Online from RS Australia
As a leading supplier and distributor of rack cooling systems, RS Australia offers a comprehensive selection including server rack fans, server rack coolers, and advanced cooling systems. Products are sourced from top manufacturers like nVent SCHROFF, Rittal, and STEGO, ensuring high-quality solutions for your server rack.
Ordering your enclosures from RS is simple and straightforward. Search for the specific rack cooling solution you need, add it to your basket, and proceed to online checkout. Business account customers can use quick order functions or set up parts lists. We also accept orders via phone, email, or fax for your convenience.
Beyond our rack cooling solutions, one can find a wide selection of other enclosures and server rack components, including rackmount cases, PCB mounting enclosures, and rack panels. Find out more about our nationwide doorstep delivery on our Delivery Page.
