Data Center
Insulation, Condensate and Leak Protection
In a data centre chilled-water circuit the supply temperature is often below the dew point of the room air. Moisture then forms on pipework, manifolds, valves and fittings and drips onto cable trays, raised floors and electronics. Insulation here is not thermal economy alone, it protects the installation: it keeps the surface temperature above the dew point and keeps water vapour away from the pipe wall. Collection trays, drainage channels and absorbents cover the area below liquid-cooled racks, CDUs and pump sets against escaping water-glycol mixture.
For the time being this section only describes what these components do in the cooling circuit. None of the four subcategories currently holds a single article, the range is still being built up, and three of the four branches are not yet live. The structure stays visible so that the cooling circuit is shown in full and the gap remains obvious. Insulation thicknesses, tray sizes and absorbents are quoted case by case.
- 1 subcategory
- Net prices plus VAT
Buying guide
How to choose Insulation, Condensate and Leak Protection
What matters when choosing: properties, comparison and typical applications.
Why insulation is installation protection in an IT circuit
System comparison & materials
The four building blocks of condensate and leak protection
| Building block | Function in the circuit | Common materials | Typical location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pipe insulation and insulating shells | Keeps the pipe surface above the dew point of the room air | Elastomeric foam, PE foam, PUR/PIR shells | Supply and return lines, manifolds, risers |
| Condensate protection and vapour barriers | Stops water vapour migrating through the insulation to the pipe | Factory facings, barrier membranes, adhesives and tapes | Seams, butt joints, terminations at valves and clamps |
| Spill trays and drainage channels | Catches escaping water-glycol mixture and drains it away | PE, PP, PVC, stainless steel | Below CDUs, pump sets, manifolds and rack connections |
| Absorbents and floor protection | Picks up residual liquid and keeps the raised floor walkable | PP absorbent fleece, mineral granulate, cellulose | Raised floor, service aisles, transfer points |
Typical applications
- Chilled-water distribution in the raised floor and in riser shafts
- Connection of CDUs and rear-door heat exchangers to the building circuit
- Direct liquid cooling at the rack with a supply below the room dew point
- Dry-cooler and free-cooling lines carrying a water-glycol mixture
- Transfer points between building services and the IT circuit
- Maintenance and retrofit work where circuits are opened, drained and refilled