Measurement, Monitoring and Leak Detection
Data Center
Instrumentation supplies the values a data centre cooling loop is actually run on: supply and return pressure at pump and manifold, medium temperature before and after the heat exchanger, volume flow per rack or CDU and level in the expansion vessel. The range holds 4,254 items from Wika, Riegler, Stauff, Cejn, Nitto Kohki and Sang-A. It spans bourdon and capsule pressure gauges from 40 mm dial size, Pt100 and Pt1000 resistance thermometers with 4-20 mA output, flow switches from 0.1 to 110 l/min and level switches with guide tube lengths of 150 to 500 mm.
In a water-glycol loop the wetted material decides service life. Stainless steel 1.4571, 1.4305 and 1.4301 as well as CrNi steel cases are unrestricted. Brass and nickel-plated brass stay limited to single-material pairings, galvanised steel and aluminium have no place in an IT loop. On gauges the fill adds to this: glycerine damps pulsation from the circulating pump, stainless chemical versions take glycol mixtures permanently.
Categories
Measured variables in the cooling loop - designs, spans and materials in the range
| Variable | Designs in the range | Span | Wetted material | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure | Bourdon, glycerine filled, chemical and capsule gauges, 40 to 100 mm dial | -1 to 250 bar, capsule from 25 mbar | CrNi steel, 1.4571, brass | 3,621 |
| Temperature | Pt100 and Pt1000 resistance thermometers, bimetal thermometers | -40 to +120 °C | 1.4571, 1.4301 | 69 |
| Flow | Flow meters and switches G 1" | 0.1 to 110 l/min | 1.4571, nickel-plated brass | 211 |
| Level | Level switches G 1/2" and G 1" | guide tube 150 to 500 mm | 1.4571 | 16 |
| Test connection | M 16x2 test points, test hoses, pressure test cases | up to 630 bar, -20 to +200 °C | 1.4571, 1.4305 | 301 |
| Water quality and leakage | categories created | range being built up | open | 0 |
- supply and return monitoring on chillers, free coolers and dry coolers
- flow verification per rack, CDU or manifold in a direct-to-chip loop
- temperature spread across the heat exchanger between primary and secondary loop
- level monitoring on expansion and storage vessels of the glycol loop
- pressure testing and commissioning of new pipe sections via test points and test cases
- recording of operating values for maintenance, acceptance and energy accounting
