Upgrading an existing Data Centre

Posted Thu, 09/10/2009 - 01:52 by jack.mcardle

I am currently looking at a project to upgrade the power and cooling density into our main Edinburgh Data Centre. This kind of project does certainly have the propensity to open a can of worms.

The main question (this week) is whether or not the existing infrastructure will support the proposed increase in load which will be less than 500kVA. It should, but here is where the scaremongering starts. One consultant (allied to an electrical installation company) says we need to upgrade the incoming cables from the transformer into the building. Another says we don't (He was on the original installation job). Question now is....Is it a job creation scheme (We are in recession after all) or a simple case of protectionism.

My main issue is in the IEE/Cable Manafactirers specification which are at best vague. If you install cables this way they will support that load, however if you install them that way they will support this load, and if you install them another way then don't ask us as we don't want the liability.

This project is going to take a little while to get off of the ground and no doubt drive me ever nearer an early grave.

 

Will keep you all posted

Comments

Upgrading an existing Data Centre - Part 2

by jack.mcardle - 11/06/2009 - 06:40

Well the project has been officially running for 2 weeks now and like all things, not much has been happening. The ex-office space has had its windows removed and boarded out and the doors have been made bigger to allow for racks etc. The concrete works have been completed for the Airside Dry Coolers and the new generators.

The real stuff starts in the next couple of weeks with the delivery and initial installation of tyhe switchboard extension and the UPS devices coupled with the break in to the existing mains incomer to allow for my 'T' section to be installed and transformer tails to be upgraded.

 

Thats when the shaky knees start.

Main issue on the project so far is actually getting the builders to do what I want them to do as opposed to them doing what they think is best.