The data center industry has been constantly evolving. With AR, VR, 5G, and the IoT demanding better data rates and speeds, these facilities have to work at the optimal level. And, when it comes to data center efficiency, the simplest trick is to be dense (physical), fast (the right cabling), and cost-effective.
The rising costs are always a concern. It is estimated that data center electricity consumption costs American companies approximately $13 billion annually. Among the important measures, an effective power cable strategy is crucial in bringing down costs and maintaining efficiency.
Here are some tips to increase efficiency by optimizing cable management in your data center:
1) Create Virtual Strategy with the Help of DCIM
If you want to improve your existing data center cabling infrastructure or develop a new system, you should first assess the current state of your cabling. Once you have an accurate understanding of your current data center cabling capacity, you can use DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) software to create an ideal cable management design.
DCIM software allows you to conduct floor map virtualization and discover how assets are connected. It can help you see the big picture and move towards implementation. For instance, you can use this tool to accurately measure the distances between cabinets on the floor map and add the near- and far-end vertical heights. It will give your team quick measurements for the setup and save both time and resources.
2) Check the Cable Length
For peak data center efficiency, you must avoid using longer than necessary cords as they add up to thousands of dollars of wasted power each year. The facility managers usually focus on horizontal distance from one cabinet to another. However, they should also consider the vertical distance from the device in the cabinet to the ceiling or the floor. If you have insufficient vertical or horizontal cables, it can diminish performance and may cause significant downtime, especially when you implement any new changes.
3) Choose the Gauge Cautiously
Sometimes it is better to choose larger gauge cables as they can carry power more efficiently. They may be a bit expensive, but they eliminate the need to change cables when you increase the load on power cables. Additionally, they usually run cooler and cause no additional burden on your HVAC systems or cooling plans. Thus, they will help you save money in the long run.
4) Keep the Cables Jacketed
There are different materialsavailable for jacketing your power cables. So, you should consider where the cable is located, how it is used, and the restriction of the use of certain materials in your area.
5) Use Labeling & Color Coding
You should label the cables as it simplifies troubleshooting, accelerates cable tracing, and ensures service efficiency to avoid downtime. Also, you can use color-coding to quickly trace power from equipment to source and eliminate duplicate power paths. It will help you reduce errors and save time and money.
The above-mentioned are simple tips but they can help you optimize the power usage in your facility. You can bring down the costs as well while minimizing downtime, power loss, and other common power problems.