Data centers need to run 24/7, so they can't experience any power interruptions. Even a temporary power outage can result in the loss of critical data, a break in network connectivity, and large monetary losses. For this reason, diesel generators serve as the primary backup power supply for data centers. Therefore, choosing the right diesel generators is a very important decision, and will have a big effect on the reliability and safety of the entire power supply system.
Data centers are particularly demanding when it comes to the speed of power switching. From the time the mains power is interrupted, the generator must start, and stable power must be provided. For most industries, the ideal start time is 10 seconds, allowing the generator to be loaded quickly to mitigate power supply interruptions caused by long switching times. The generator must be able to generate stable voltage and frequency with low waveform distortion, according to the IT equipment's power sensitivity. Instability can lead to problems such as server crashes and hardware loss. The best generator sets use modern electronically controlled speed and voltage regulation which can quickly adapt to sudden changes in load and meet the high power demands of data centers.
The indoor location of data centers and the singular locations for the operation of the generators necessitate consideration of a multitude of factors. Modifications to the operational environment include, but are not limited to: ventilation, heat dissipation, sound, and the emissions generated by the equipment. The generators must be capable of operating under various thermal, hygrometric, and altitudinal conditions such as temperature, humidity, and altitude. In cases of operation at high altitudes, adjustments for loss of power due to altitude must be made to ensure the engine output power is at a satisfactory level. The operational sound level must comply with the limits set by the various regions and countries in which the equipment will be operated. In the case of the sound level exceeding such limits, sound insulation must be implemented. The emissions of the generator must comply with the limits set by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the CE (Conformit'e Europ'enne) in order to meet the regulatory compliance for the region and country of operation. Proper planning of ventilation and heat dissipation will ensure that the generator unit does not overheat and shut down. Proper planning will also ensure that the generator unit will be able to operation for extended periods of time.
The reliability and quality of the generator, which is the primary engine of the data center, is essential. The generators that are manufactured by the engine manufacturers Cummins, Volvo, MTU, Perkins and others are recommended because of their technologically advanced and reliable engines to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the data center. The manufacturer must also be able to provide proof of their quality management system such as certifications of ISO9001 (Quality Management System), ISO14001 (Environmental Management System), and ISO45001 (Occupational Health and Safety), as well as product certifications CE (Conformity European) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) as assurances of the manufacturer's quality and the reliability of the generator. The regular manufacturers will conduct 100% load testing on all the engines to eliminate potential unit failures and to guarantee that all engines will operate when placed into operation.
The operation of data centers is 24/7 and needs complete service and support for the supply chain. Manufacturers with a worldwide service network and who can provide rapid technical support and site repair services within the service warranty period are required. Lifecycle services, regular maintenance and inspections services, and rapid repair parts services, are all factors that can result in lower total downtimes, reduced operation and maintenance costs. The customized configuration of parts to meet the individual data center requirements is complimentary to the support services, which maintains parts supply with the necessary and sufficiently high levels of stock and rapid processing and delivery times.
TorchPower is an authorized OEM partner to many engine brands and with 32 years of experience in the diesel generator set industry, is the producer that has the greatest number of diesel generators worldwide, within a 62,000 square meter Center of Excellence. All of TorchPower’s products are certified to meet international standards, are customized, and come with a Guarantee of global After-Sales services for Data Centers. Selecting TorchPower for your needs will ensure that your data center will have a Robust Power Supply. Also, your data center will have an assured and reliable operation with the additional support of TorchPower.
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