The Importance of Blanking Panels

Blanking Panels play an important role in Data Centre cooling by aiding the improvement of rack airflow management. Improving Data Centre airflow management allows for the optimisation of cooling systems which enables energy efficiency gains to be achieved.

What is Airflow Management?
Cooling Data Centres requires the delivery of cold air to cool IT equipment. With increasing demands being placed on Data Centres ensuring that they are cooled efficiently has a huge impact on their energy efficiency. Cooling makes up a significant proportion of a Data CentreÂ’s energy usage. So, optimising cooling to ensure CRAC units are operating as efficiently as possible, can make a big difference in reducing operational costs. To optimise cooling following Data Centre Airflow Management best practices is vital when looking to improve their efficiency.

There are three distinct areas in which to improve airflow management these are at Raised Floor, Rack and Row levels. At each level the key component is preventing the mixing of hot and cold air streams.

Most Data Centres are laid out in a hot-aisle-cold-aisle layout. Cold aisles are supplied with cooled air to cool IT equipment, whereas hot aisles are filled with hot air being exhausted by the IT equipment. Preventing these two air streams from mixing removes issues such as hotspots, latent cooling and cooling unit incapacity.

By following best practices at raised floor, rack and row levels it can improve airflow management and result in the optimisation of cooling systems. This optimisation can lead to energy efficiency gains.

The Importance of Blanking Panels
Blanking Panels help improve rack airflow management. They prevent hot exhaust air from migrating from the back of server racks to the front, where it can mix with cold air that is cooling IT equipment. Blanking Panels help prevent hotspots. They also help reduce air intake temperatures that can be higher when no blanking panels are installed. This can help with the life expectancy of servers and other IT equipment.

There are various blanking panel solutions on the market, with some solutions better than others. Metal panels typically require the use of fixings and tools to install them. However, EDP supplies tool-less panels such as HotLok or EziBlank which provide a better solution. Both are quick and easy to install.

HotLok are 1U or 2U panels that feature integral finger grips for easier handling. While cantilevered sealing vanes provide a touch tight fit to adjoining panels and IT equipment.

EziBlank are 6U blanking panel sheets that are scored at 1U intervals. Allowing them to be easily resized to the required amount of blanking. Built-in in clips allow the panels to be easily clipped into position.

Whatever your concerns are regarding improving airflow management in Data Centres EDP can help. Contact us today to discuss your requirements.