Blog: How to Regulate Humidity in Data Centres & Server Rooms

We all live online. It is a common misconception that our data is all in the air and has no set physical space. This is a fairy-tale, as actually data is stored in large centralised locations which can span multiple rooms and buildings.

These facilities feature powerful servers that run day and night to provide recovery, backup and security, with enormous amounts of information stored on them.

In this article, we will demonstrate the challenge of controlling humidity in data centres and the damage it can cause to equipment. We will show how Singapore’s largest operator has combated this problem by enlisting the help of 48 Calorex dehumidifiers to protect its new facilities.

Dangers of heat in data centres

The large servers and IT equipment that ensure the storage of data, use huge amounts of power, and as a by-product, heat is created.

Heat can be a danger to such equipment. Computers can risk over-heating and breaking, whilst condensation can thrive in damaged sockets and other electrical equipment.

A data centre with these problems can lose huge amounts of money from preventable outages and unplanned downtimes.

What is humidity?

The amount of heat created in server rooms and data centres causes air in these spaces to warm. Proper climate control is essential, to prevent equipment from overheating and malfunctioning.

When an operator fails to control humidity levels in their data centre, moisture will remain in the atmosphere.

Warm air is able to hold more moisture than cold air, so humidity levels in the space will rise as the temperature increases. When the air cools, it can only hold a limited amount of moisture. So once temperatures drop, the RH level will continue to rise until it reaches 100% or dew point. This is when the moisture is released in the form of condensation, which can cause huge damage to IT equipment.

Why is it important to regulate humidity in data centres?

As well as the heat emitted by the servers in the centres, there are a number of other challenges when trying to regulate the conditions in data centres.

Perhaps the most uncontrollable element, is the outdoor climate. If a data centre is in an area with a hot humid climate, this will only increase the dangers of humidity on the equipment. Some facilities are fitted with cooling systems, which do not help alone, and can sometimes only increase the likelihood of condensation.

What do dehumidifiers do?

The best method to combat humidity in such sensitive spaces is installing a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air and can be used to keep rooms at consistent, ideal humidity levels.

The process:

• Air is drawn into the dehumidifier and across refrigerated coils.

• This causes the air too cool below its dew point, causing moisture in the air to condense into water vapour.

• Latent heat energy is recovered and reused in the process.

• The cool and dry air is passed across the condenser and reheated.

• The warm and dry air is returned to the room, at the required humidity level.

Calorex dehumidifiers in a Singapore data centre

Singapore’s largest data centre operator is no stranger to the struggles of controlling humidity. They are responsible for overseeing a network of world-class data security bases in the Asia Pacific, so cannot afford sever outages or damages.

That is why they installed 48 Calorex DH150 dehumidifiers in their server facilities to protect their equipment and better prevent outages in their state-of-the-art facility.

The dehumidifiers are designed to work alongside cooling systems in the central plant.

How to control humidity levels in server rooms and data centres?

As demonstrated in Singapore, the quick installation of an effective dehumidifier can massively transform the efficiency of the overall business. For large centres such as the Singapore site, we recommend high-capacity condenser dehumidifiers.

They have a low capital cost and are easy to install, so they provide a hassle-free solution to humidity problems.

Don’t delay in protecting your data facilities from humidity. Explore the possibilities of Calorex dehumidifier units. There is a range of different sized units, both wall-mounted or free-standing; meaning they are versatile for all facilities. Browse our dehumidifier range and get in touch for help & advice.