Increases in power density for IT equipment in datacentres are highlighting the limitations of traditional downflow computer room air conditioning (CRAC) systems to deliver a uniform distribution of cool air to full racks or blade servers. These issues have triggered a number of innovations recently that aim to capture heat at source, neutralise it to room temperature and eliminate dependency on unpredictable distribution of cool air. Other important objectives include improving design flexibility and robustness and minimising capital outlay and power consumption.<\/p>\n
One possible solution to the limitations of traditional downflow units is close coupled cooling (CCC), with CCC units placed directly in the server racks. Rack based cooling equipment attempts to solve the problem by removing heat where it is generated instead of distributing cold air within the room. Maximized CCC performance for modern high density loads is best achieved through the enclosure of the hot or cold aisles. Such enclosures ensure that the hot air discharged from the rear of the rack cannot escape from the hot aisle to re-circulate into the rack and overheat IT equipment.<\/p>\n