Power Monitoring and Breakers for Data Centers
Data Centers a Complex System
Data center power monitoring has evolved from basic metering systems to complex communication, network and software systems. There are a number of considerations, however, when selecting and deploying a power monitoring system, which should always include tracking breakers for data centers.
Understanding Power Monitoring
Data centers are definitely considered “mission critical” in today’s business climate. Every employee utilizes data, applications, and Internet connections stored on today high-end servers. Power monitoring systems can analyze system-wide power distribution and use. This allows data center managers and IT professionals the ability to review both real-time and historical data and build a power “profile.” The information within the profile can help them better understand a system’s overall heath, as well as identify any potential issues. This information can also help them find ways to save money and resources, as well as improve a system’s quality and reliability.
Breakers for Data Centers
A good example is the evolution of the microprocessor, which has come a long way in just the last few years. As they become cheaper to manufacture and install, as well as more reliable, they have been added to all types of equipment, including power monitoring systems and breakers for data centers.
Before the microprocessor reached the level of availability and reliability, data center professionals used digital fault recorders, transient recorders, and basic power monitoring to collect information about the data center’s power system. Based on that information, IT professionals were able to create basic power calculations, but were unable to clearly pinpoint any specific issues that require attention.
When microprocessors are added to all these different types of power monitoring equipment, they can help gather and document important information about the health of a data center’s power system. In recent years, the earlier monitoring technologies have been able to slowly combine together and provide much more specific, as well as actionable, information.
Breakers for data centers with embedded microprocessors can transmit their status, any trip information that may have occurred, and if a trip occurred, how detrimental it was to various components, as well as the power system as a whole. It is important to remember, however, that power equipment with embedded microprocessors, such as breakers for data centers and trip units are only specific parts of a power monitoring system. Power monitoring systems that use microprocessors throughout the system, and not just in a few components, can provide a broad view of the health of a data center’s power system. The information that is collected can be used to better understand power anomalies or identify weak points within a system.
High tech circuit breakers for data centers house trip units with microprocessor technologies and have high-end power monitoring capabilities. “Trip units” within breakers for data centers, protection and monitoring functions are separate, but sensors are shared.
As power monitoring technologies continue to advance, data center managers and IT professionals will continue to be able to better manage their power systems, so they run more efficiently and avoid catastrophic power or data failure.
