Portable Air Conditioner: Server Room Cooling

A server room is a room that houses computer servers. The server room is at the center of IT operations, so it is important to prevent hardware malfunction and system failure. In the enclosed space of a server room, the heat generated from the equipment can quickly increase the ambient temperature beyond equipment specifications. Prolonged operation at high temperatures can result in unpredictable hardware malfunctions and an eventual system failure. The life and reliability of the machines is compromised, the system can crash, random reboots can occur and overall poor performance can result. Also, computer equipment ages quicker when hot. For individual machines, the internal fans and cooling mechanisms are often enough to keep the temperatures within safe operating limits. Enormous amounts of heat are generated by server equipment. Also, server rooms can be prone to hot spots. Hot spots can build up behind equipment racks or near larger machines.

Another environmental factor that can affect server rooms is an increased humidity level. Humidity damages equipment by causing corrosion and rust. To avoid environmental conditions where there may be excess condensation, it is important to prevent humidity changes and variations. The optimal humidity level for server rooms should range from 40-55 percent. The final factor that can affect server rooms is insufficient airflow due to the design of the server room.

Portable air conditioners are a great supplemental cooling solution for the weekends, when central air conditioners are prone to shutting off. It is essential to keep server room temperatures and the overall environment inside of them controlled twenty-four hours a day because the equipment is constantly generating heat. Portable air conditioners are incredibly convenient because they do no require permanent installation and even have wheels on the bottom for easy portability. Not all portable air conditioners are appropriate for server room cooling, though. They must have an automatic restart function, a ventilation system to displace hot air and a condensation tank like the Sunpentown WA-1340DH Portable Air Conditioner.

The automatic restart function keeps the portable air conditioner running continuously, even in the case of a power failure. This means equipment is kept cool during nights and weekends and if there is a power outage, the portable air conditioner will resume operation when the power is restored automatically. The ventilation system is a way to expel heat from the server room. Most portable air conditioners use a vent hose to push air out though a drop ceiling or wall. To rid the air of excess humidity, a condensation tank is needed. Portable air conditioners act as dehumidifiers and remove moisture from the air. The resulting condensation is collected in a condensation tank or bucket that needs to be emptied regularly.