Siemon adds cold aisle containment to its data centre ecosystem

By containing and isolating the cold air supply, the system allows perimeter cooling to operate more efficiently, thus reducing power costs and supporting lower power usage effectiveness (PUE) ratings. Alternatively, it can be applied to expand capacity to cool higher heat densities to maximise the use of existing data centre floor space: It offers a low cost method to increase cooling capacity up to 13kW per cabinet, without the need for additional cooling equipment.

“By preventing the mix of hot and cold air, Siemon’s containment system allows cooling systems to operate at higher temperatures, whilst still sufficiently and safely cooling the equipment to maximise performance and life expectancy,” says Stuart Gray, power and cooling product manager at Siemon. “Higher temperatures reduce energy costs through lower fan speeds, higher chilled water temperatures and more frequent use of ‘free’ (ambient air) cooling. This provides additional capacity to cool greater heat densities with the existing cooling system, without investing in more costly supplemental cooling products.”

Siemon’s cold aisle containment system has been designed to fit with both its VersaPOD and V600 data centre cabinets. Designed to be both robust and aesthetically attractive, the system is quick and easy to assemble for on-site installation. Main components include roof panels, doors, end panels and filler panels. Additionally, a range of accessories are available to complement the system, including wall mount brackets and raiser brackets for use with shorter (42U) cabinets to raise the ceiling height within the contained aisle. Strong seals and self-closing doors ensure optimal thermal isolation.

The system can be retro-fitted as Gray explains, “With minimal cost and rapid installation time, the Siemon cold aisle containment system allows existing facilities to easily leverage existing perimeter cooling systems via a cold aisle arrangement. It offers an excellent alternative to vertical exhaust ducts in situations when a return air plenum is not available and it can be used to complement or integrate with other cooling systems, such as Siemon’s IcePack™ cooling door heat exchanger, which uses passive liquid cooling technology.”