Welcome to Keep Your Cool - a series tackling simple cooling optimization strategies for the busy data center operators

This month we’ll be returning to one of our most popular topics: Delta-T. In this five part series, we’ll break down the fundamentals of what data center delta-T(s) are and how it can help you better manage your data center. 

Intro  

In a data center, keeping the equipment cool is crucial to maintaining uptime and efficiency. But how do you know if your cooling system is working as it should? That’s where Delta-T comes in—a simple metric that helps you measure how well your cooling system is performing. In this article, we’ll explain Delta-T, break down the four types, and show you how managing airflow can boost your cooling efficiency.

What is delta-T?

At its core, delta-T is the difference in temperature between two points. When it comes to cooling, it's a measure of how effectively heat is being removed from the IT equipment and circulated through the cooling system. Managing delta-T effectively can help you reduce energy costs, prevent overheating, and ensure your data center operates smoothly.

The Four Data Center delta-Ts You Need to Know

To fully understand your cooling efficiency, there are four key Delta-Ts to monitor. These include the temperature changes at critical points in your data center:

1. IT Equipment delta-T: This is the temperature rise of the air as it passes through your servers. 

2. Cooling Unit delta-T: This measures the temperature drop across the cooling coils of your cooling units. Ideally, this number should match the IT Equipment Delta-T to ensure the cooling system is doing its job. If the numbers don’t align, it means something’s wrong with your cooling setup.

3. Supply Air delta-T: This is the difference in temperature between the air leaving the cooling unit and the air entering your IT equipment. You want this number to be as small as possible—essentially, you want the air that goes into your servers to be at the right temperature without wasting energy on overcooling.

4. Return Air delta-T: This measures the difference between the air that exits your IT equipment and the air returning to the cooling unit. If this number is large, it indicates inefficient cooling, where hot air isn’t being effectively removed.

How Delta-T and Airflow Management Go Hand in Hand

Airflow management is crucial to making sure your cooling system runs smoothly. If your airflow is poor, it can cause problems like hot spots where equipment overheats. On the other hand, too much airflow can lead to overcooling, which wastes energy.

Good airflow management means controlling how the cool air moves through the data center and how the warm air is returned. You want to keep the supply air and return air paths separate. When these paths mix, it leads to wasted energy, which is why managing Delta-T is so important.

How Delta-T Management Helps with Cooling Efficiency

By regularly monitoring and managing Delta-Ts, you can fine-tune your cooling system for better performance. Here’s how:

• Optimizing Energy Use: If you know your IT equipment Delta-T and cooling unit Delta-T are not aligned, you can adjust your system to optimize energy use. For example, if your cooling system is overcooling or undercooling, adjusting the airflow or temperature settings can help avoid energy waste.

• Preventing Overheating: Tracking Delta-Ts helps you spot hotspots before they become a problem. If the return air Delta-T is too large, it’s a clear sign that hot air is not being efficiently removed, which could lead to server failures.

• Balancing Air Supply and Demand: Understanding the relationship between IT equipment and cooling unit Delta-Ts allows you to balance the airflow supply to meet the demands of your IT equipment. This balance is essential to ensure your servers stay cool without wasting energy on excessive cooling.

Conclusion

In summary, managing Delta-Ts is a key practice for improving cooling efficiency in your data center. By understanding the four Delta-Ts—IT Equipment, Cooling Unit, Supply Air, and Return Air—you can gain valuable insights into how your cooling system is performing. Effective airflow management ensures that these Delta-Ts are optimized, helping you reduce energy waste and prevent equipment overheating.

Regular monitoring, proper airflow management, and adjusting your cooling system based on Delta-T readings are all critical steps in ensuring your data center runs at peak efficiency. With the right tools and strategies in place, you can reduce operational costs and keep your data center in mechanical health, all while maintaining optimal cooling performance.

About Purkay Labs

Purkay Labs specializes in cutting-edge environmental monitoring solutions that help data center operators implement efficient cooling strategies. Our tools provide real-time data that debunks common myths, enabling operators to make decisions that enhance cooling performance and equipment longevity. Learn more about how Purkay Labs can optimize your cooling practices by visiting our website.