Corporate Data Centers - Are You Ready?

                  Some years ago, back when modem cards were the rave and were actually installed inside the box of a computer, I remember trying to get on the Internet and all I got was "no connection".  I remember going through every diagnostic within the computer but still "no connection".  Finally, I checked the line, I had dial tone but I did notice some discoloration or what looked like burning on the RJ-11 on the modem card.  Yes, it was a burn mark and the night before we had a terrible storm but could lightning have found its way into MY computer?  After all, I was the expert, who was protected against surges, strikes and hits but oh yes, lighting had in fact found its way into my computer via the phone line which became the least resistive path to ground!

                 Just like that little 14.4 baud modem card, lighting hits are all but one of the enemies facing the corporate data center.  Data centers which house millions and millions upon millions of bits of information can be wiped out by a number of threats lurking just outside that rather secure data room or facility.   Just how does an owner, a corporation, or facility plan, evaluate and maintain the level of protection required?    Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, not in the data center, keep your enemies far, far away!

                                        Let's first define your enemies: 

•    power surges
•    power reductions, brown outs
•    power outages
•    voltage fluctuations and inconsistencies
•    poor or loose connections
•    AC to DC power harmonics
•    improper sizing of distribution equipment and wiring
•    grounding and bonding issues creating noise
•    failure to isolate critical power from building power
•    communication/data protection and isolation
•    inadequate cooling
•    inadequate data center space requirements
•    poor or inadequate maintenance procedures

                 The data center designer/engineer/contractor must impress upon his client the importance of eliminating the "enemy" as defined above.  Education is the first line of defense in helping the end user understand the strategy.  I found more and more data rooms are poorly planned from the beginning.  Simple items are usually not considered, facility managers wrestle with data center managers, space is a commodity especially in NYC!  Poor planning in terms of space can lead to a shutdown!  Cooling and power requirements are two major factors influenced by space.  The average power requirement for data centers is 375w/sq-ft.  What might start out as six racks of servers with power and cooling may end up with eighteen racks with inadequate power and cooling.  "Don't paint yourself into a corner."
                   In any computer sensitive environment, a major cause of problems can be traced back to "grounding" issues.  Havoc/electronic noise could be caused due to improper and inadequate grounding issues.  Centralizing all of the required "grounding" concerns in any data center is paramount.  We have always created a "ground bus" within the data room that is connected to the buildings "Grounding Electrode".  The ground bus allows us to bond each piece of metal to the main grounding electrode.  Metal raised floor posts, cabinets, electrical panels, isolated ground bars, non-current carrying conductive members of fiber cables, etc are just some of the required items needed to be bonded to the ground bus in the data room.

                   Lets discuss the critical power requirements.  Every data center that is properly planned requires backup power generation and a Uninterruptable Power Supply, UPS.  The UPS basically eliminates voltage inconsistencies during surges, brown outs and the brief time needed before a generator comes up to speed and frequency.  Many homeowners today use the small UPS under their desk to ride out the short time power outages or power fluctuations occur.  Many large size commercial facilities install UPS units in every rack where servers exist.  But is UPS rack scenario a plan to fail?  Well, in the homeowner scenario the batteries will last for a brief period of time and unless their home generator kicks in their computer is kapput!  In a well planned commercial scenario, the UPS allows the servers to ride out the brief time needed because the batteries in the UPS have been sized for the servers in each rack, once the generator comes up to speed/frequency, BANG, the emergency power is transferred and the UPS is cleaning the power once again.  This BANG is transparent and seamless to the sensitive computer equipment. But what do we find in most cases, the rack mounted UPS batteries are not serviced and their DEAD!  Therefore, the UPS never had the ride time power to transition them onto the generator!  This is why I design a centralized UPS to be installed as part of the initial design.  The single UPS, centralized and sized for the entire data center becomes more reliable while reducing maintenance and material costs.

                The cooling requirement is an absolute necessity in each an every data room, large or small.  It is clearly the most overlooked part of the initial design.  I have seen countless data rooms fail due to inadequate and undersized cooling!  Once again plan the room with cooling units, chillers, VFD's, controls and pumps as an integral part of the critical power scenario.  How many times have I seen data centers running on critical power but without cooling because one pump is on the non-critical building power and now the whole cooling system is down in the data center!  Plan for expansion, keep the room cooler, wear a sweater if you have to but don't skimp with the cooling.

                 Seeking out a good electrical contractor is an absolute necessity for the data center to be reliable, efficient and functioning properly.  The 2011 NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, Art 645 - Information Technology Equipment, will be just one article used by the licensed, qualified electrical contracting firm.  This specific article and others in the NEC will define the minimum requirement  the electrical contractor must follow to insure that the data center is wired and installed properly.  Third party commissioning of the completed data center is a requirement!

                 A few important notes to consider:

1. the EPA estimates data centers account for 1.5% of the total U.S. power consumption.  This will double in the next five years!
2. the designer/contractor may need to consider medium voltage distribution, 4160v, where chillers, UPS's, generators and other equipment can be purchased for more efficiency allowing for less material construction costs and better return on investment, ROI
3. Utilizing the European voltage distribution scenario may benefit us here as well, transformers 415/240v/60hz can be used with any electronic equipment, no need to go 240/110v/60hz.  Arc-Flash concerns for workers do need to be addressed with the 415/240v scenario
4.  "green technology" is already impacting designs in data centers.  The "low power usage effectiveness", PUE needs to be addressed in design

Please Note: Electrical wiring and installation requires trained and skilled electricians working in a licensed electrical contracting firm.  With all installations, please check with the Authority Having Jurisdiction, AHJ to insure all work is installed correctly.

Kevin J. Breen, is a licensed master electrician in the NYC/NJ area.  He works as a consultant and expert witness to the legal community and a design/installer for many private and municipal clients.  With over 33 years in the field Mr. Breen can assist you with any electrical/fire/low-voltage/security need you may have.  He can be reached at 718 499 7363 or info@wiringnewyork.com

Home Security Systems - Hardwired or Wireless?

Home Security – Hard Wiring or Wireless

                                                                                                - Kevin J. Breen

            This question seems to be a never ending quagmire for those considering a quality home security system.  Consider this, how do you control your TV, a garage door, your connection to the internet, or even your air conditioner?  If you answered, a remote, you are a benefactor of wireless technology!  Let’s consider hard wired applications, your TV, your garage door, your internet connection and your air conditioner all require a hardwired connection as well.  My point, a home security system utilizing both modes of connection is what’s best!

            Now that wired versus wireless is no longer an issue.  What defines a good home security system?  Consider your current living scenario, are you renting or in a temporary location?  Here, you might want to opt for a complete wireless scenario.  The wireless installation is faster, cleaner and portable.  The portability of the system is probably the most attractive feature as you can take it with you when you leave.  The trade off with wireless components they are a bit larger and obvious.  Remember, hard wired connections are still necessary, connection to a receptacle for power and a telephone line for 24 hour monitoring. 

You just bought a home or condo and you want a home security system.  Consider this, the sensors and detectors for windows and doors utilizing hard wiring are less obtrusive than the wireless components.  As an owner, you are always looking to increase the value of your purchase and what looks better is what is hidden.  The wireless components are just a bit more bulky and obvious.  A licensed security professional will “hide” the wiring and recess the contacts or sensors.  A professional hard wired installation will clearly add to the value of your home.  Even in this “hard wired scenario” I find the wireless smoke/carbon monoxide detectors still work great.

Many times we move into new homes and apartments and we inherit an existing security system.  The security system manuals and maintenance records for the installed system are lost or unavailable and we don’t know what to do.  Hiring a licensed security professional will help provide the manuals and aid you in evaluating changes you may want to incorporate.  After evaluation, then wireless and/or a hard wired add can clearly be identified. 

Budget, budget and budget, that’s what determines the design and subsequent installation of your home security system,  the money you have available to spend will define what is hard wired and what is wireless.  Your budget may define a certain level of security allowing you to add components at a later date. 

Life safety devices whether hard wired or wireless detectors should always be installed in your home or apartment.  Please incorporate these life safety components, smoke/CO detectors first in your design and installation.  Please follow all necessary building codes and inspections with the authorities having jurisdiction.        

    

Whether wireless or hard wired please be safe and protected!

Carbon Monoxide Detectors in the Home

Carbon Monoxide detectors save lives!

              We all know the benefits of hard wired smoke detectors and the lives they save each year but are you aware of the dangers associated with carbon monoxide?  Every home using gas, oil, wood or any other type of fossil fuel in their home is in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.  Carbon monoxide is the result of incomplete combustion of burning any type of fossil fuel.  The carbon monoxide produced is odorless and colorless.  The CO molecules in the blood adhere better to the hemoglobin than oxygen does in the blood and is the reason death comes silently due to aspyhixiation.  CO poisioning sneaks up on you, just to give some reference, a smoker consuming 2 packs per day has approximately 40ppm of CO in their blood at any given time.  At 70ppm, the CO will cause headache, at 150ppm drowsiness and between 150ppm and 400ppm the dosage can be lethal causing death!

Here are some stats:

     1. 15,200 people were treated for accidental CO exposure from 2001 to 2003
     2. leading cause of gas fatalities in the United States
     3. more deaths occur due to CO poisoning in December and January than any other month of the year
     4. according to the Center for Disease Control, 408 deaths occur each year due to CO poisoning
     5. CO is naturally identical to air, the molecular weight of air is 29g/molecule and CO is 28g/molecule

         Many states are beginning to realize the importance of CO detectors and they are changing their building codes to require the installation of these detectors.  At the present time in NYC, every renovation or new construction project will require combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to be installed within ten feet of each bedroom.
         I would strongly suggest you contact your licensed electrician and let him/her install Carbon Monoxide detectors in your home. 

        NFPA 720 has been written to define the proper installation of carbon monoxide detectors in the home.  A link to NFPA 720 is http://www.nfpa.org/catalog/product.asp?pid=72012&order%5Fsrc=B484
NFPA does allow combination smoke and CO detectors to be installed in the home, check local codes, manufacturer's specifications and your AHJ for requirements pertaining to installation.


Be Smart and Be Safe install hardwired Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors in all Homes.

Yes, its Thanksgiving

Good Morning and Happy Thanksgiving!

I give thanks to live in a country where we are free!  Each of us has the ability to become the greatest person we can become based on the principles of freedom and free enterprise.  I also give thanks for all those men and women who so bravely defend our country.  May God Bless each of you and keep you safe!

Thanksgiving has always been my most favorite time of the year.  I have so much to be thankful for!

Even though we are experiencing probably the toughest of economic times my generation has ever seen, I give thanks for my trade and my business.  I truly hope you can honestly say that about whatever you do.  I have had many people ask, "how can you love what you do so much"?  If I may, I would like to borrow a phrase from Shakespeare, "Let me count the ways".

1. Jesus Christ was a carpenter, I would have loved to work with Him on a project.
2. I got shocked when I was younger, don't tell OSHA
3. I also learned that a toilet bowl is important in one's life , but a plumber, NOT
4. Going from job to job, address to address, sort of makes the ADD go away
5. "let there be light" that phrase was empowering
6. Electricians know everything, right!
7. Electrician or Doctor, easier to get a doctor!
8. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the biggest characters in the world are electricians
9. you have to work with your brain and your hands

Last but not least:

  10.   Tools, yes, Tools and plenty of them

Hey folks, hope you stay safe, work safe and enjoy each and every day!

May God richly bless you and your family!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Kevin

Welcome to My Blog

Hey Welcome!

Thanks for checking in at my blog.  I will be posting and discussing many of the issues in the electrical contracting business both here in the metropolitan area and around the country.  I hope to add plenty of positive information and insight to a trade and a business I have loved for many years.  Hope this is as good for you as it will be for me!

WELCOME

KEVIN