Data Center System Needs

There are standards in data centers to avoid both security and performance issues. The equipment you need includes the following systems.

• Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing: Commonly abbreviated to MEP, this system regulates important variables such as cooling, ventilation, cabling, electrical needs, airflow, and so on. A lack of these factors (such as ventilation) can lead to system failure and expensive repair or equipment replacement needs.
• Power Needs: A data center doesn’t take time off, and systems have to be up and running at all times. For this, uninterruptible power supplies are essential as they protect from outages and electrical issues such as power surges. Measuring factors such as power usage effectiveness or PUE can tell you how stable your systems are and how efficient your monthly power use is.
• Location: A factor to consider if you are in the planning phases of opening a data center is location. Closeness to the local power grid can be highly beneficial and reduce the chances of outside power problems or concerns. Also, data centers should have multiple points of connection to the local power grid, and closeness to it helps facilitate this configuration.
• Safety and Emergency Response: You also have to be prepared for emergencies. Backup generators and flywheels can help in case of power outages, and fire suppression systems can help if a fire should break out. Environmental controls also help you precisely manage the interior condition of your data center.
• Security: Security systems are essential for your data center. Cybersecurity is vital and includes firewalls, monitoring systems, vulnerability testing, backups, DDoS mitigation tools, network security, protection from outside access, and virus protection. Traditional security is also required, such as gated entry, guards, video monitoring, access badges, area access control, and NOC staff.

Final Thoughts

A data center is more than just the equipment it houses. You can have the best and newest computer hardware, but you need a safe location to store it. A well-run and managed data center can keep your equipment and the information it contains safe.

There are many causes of poor power quality and power problems. The good news is many of these issues are detectable, and that can prevent costly repairs, replacements, downtime, and more. The way to avoid these issues is with the aforementioned power quality analysis and monitoring solutions.

Signs of Poor Power Quality

Understandably, many people outside the power supply industry don’t or won’t recognize the signs of poor power quality or realize that these signs indicate larger concerns. A few signs of poor power quality include:

• System memory loss issues
• Control panel or display problems
• Transformer or reoccurring transformer issues
• High utility penalties

These are only a few signs of poor power quality and a few of the problems they present. The good news is that the facilities and companies don’t have to live with concerns about poor power quality. More importantly, dealing with poor power quality problems also reduces the risk of more dangerous issues, improves performance, and even saves money.

The Benefits of Power Quality Analysis and Monitoring Solutions

Equipment without the proper voltage protection, bad wiring, improper grounding, and other issues can be the culprits behind poor power quality. Effective and professional quality analysis and monitoring will reveal these issues and allow them to be repaired, upgraded, or corrected.

For facilities and companies across every industry, these solutions result in less downtime and more efficient use of power, reducing power expenses and improving performance. These solutions also create safer working environments and allow businesses to maximize power sources. 

Powering Your Facility and Needs

Established in 1986, Ham’s Electric, Inc. is a mission-critical power specialist located in Upland, California. We offer a range of services to the Inland Empire. We work on hospital systems, telecom installations, computer facilities, critical equipment installations, critical power systems, and more. 

For over three decades, we have successfully installed a wide range of medical systems including MRI, NICU, ICU/CCU, switchgears, cath labs, nurse callers, surge protectors, fire alarms, and telecommunications. We are your primary choice for installation, service, and maintenance. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an appointment today.

Poor Cooling Performance

It’s time to upgrade your data center if you sweat as you go around it!  Using standing floor fans to cool your data center only offers a temporary solution — it doesn’t make it perform optimally. Consult us for the best approach to the issue.

The Data Center Is Constantly Evolving

Today’s data centers are being developed with hyper-converged tech that has expanded to about 100GB. Avoid depending on the 1st generation hyper-converged network, as it wasn’t built to support the amount of traffic that exists currently.

You’ll start noticing that there is too much latency with your system. The network can’t support the traffic without packet optimization and intelligent routing that come with new networking standards. Holding to an aging network will cause slowed-down productivity and eventually lead to lost data.

It Needs Much Time

If you have to spend too much time keeping your data center going, that is another sign of a failing data center. An experienced data center solution partner will help cut down on all the time you spend keeping your data center running.

For example, suppose your power distribution system doesn’t perform well, and its design makes maintenance and service checks harder. In that case, the firm might suggest better PDU options for faster and more efficient service checks.

Cluttered Space

If your system is messed up with a ton of cabling problems, we can provide better approaches to deploying and designing your cables. You can count on us to fix the issue and ensure the system meets your requirements for manageability, flexibility, and cost.

Can’t Add Equipment

If you can’t add another machine or equipment, your data center is due for an upgrade. Consult us to help upgrade, renovate or put in a new data center that meets your business’s needs. Upgrading your data center can be a complex process. You’ll need to hire a professional service. 

You Are Unable to Maintain Compliance Requirements

When it becomes challenging to maintain government and internal guideline compliance, you need to upgrade your data center. Since a data center uses a lot of power, its environmental effect is huge. Sadly, they’re often not designed as efficiently as they should be. You might end up paying for power you didn’t consume. That’s why it befits to upgrade periodically. Also, upgrading shows your clients that you care about security, downtime, and environmental impacts. If you can’t offer your customer a secure and seamless experience, they’re sure to find someone better than you.

Contact Ham’s Electric, Inc in Upland, CA, to Help Protect Your Data Center

Hopefully, you now understand signs you are overdue for an upgraded data center. It can be a costly and daunting task that causes a major disruption to your firm’s operations. Fortunately, we can help limit business interruptions, and create a well-functioning data center. Let Ham’s Electric, Inc in Upland, CA, perform a custom assessment of your current data center to determine the problem. Contact us today to learn more about our services. 

How Much Energy Do Data Centers Use?

Facility managers use a lot of energy to ensure data centers are running continuously. According to reports, in a year, one data center uses more than 90 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. This is roughly the output of 34 coal-powered power plants. And on a global scale, data centers use about 3% of the world’s electricity. That just goes to show why the critical power supply need in data centers is so important.

Often, when someone talks about the advantages of critical power supplies, what comes to mind is the equipment that will still function, hence ensuring operations continue. But while this is the obvious benefit of having such a system in place, other benefits are discussed below.

Preventing Power Surges

Typically, a UPS system will have commercial power running through it. This allows it to intercept any power surge before it can cause any damage to the equipment. This is very important when you have sensitive electronics.

Provides Even Electricity

It is not all the time that the electricity coming through your sockets will be at a perfectly consistent rate. While these small fluctuations might not disrupt your computer, with time, they can cause damage. The UPS will even have commercial power running through it, hence preventing equipment damage.

Cut Back On Your Electrical Load

Undoubtedly, large data centers use significant amounts of electricity. Facility managers that purchase a UPS system powered by diesel can benefit in that the system can operate alongside the commercial power supply during periods of peak usage. This will earn the company credits for helping the community around by preventing brown-outs.  

Updating your critical power supplies also means installing a cloud-based software solution in your system that can monitor critical equipment and alert you in case there are any issues that can affect your operations. You do not need to be physically present to monitor equipment. Plus, you will get instant notification on faulty equipment, allowing you to solve issues on time.

If you are looking for a critical power specialist for your data center, reach out to Ham’s Electric, Inc. We have worked on hospital systems, computer facilities, telecom installations, critical power systems and critical equipment installation. Besides installation, we also provide maintenance services, ensuring that your operations are not disrupted. Give us a call today for your power needs, and we will be there.

Is it time for your next upgrade? With the help of a good power company, you can create a data center upgrade project plan that will address all of your needs.

Signs you need to upgrade your data center

Here are some of the red flags that indicate it’s time to upgrade:

• You don’t have a backup system: If you’ve ever experienced an unplanned data outage, you might be aware that it can cost you up to $8,000 per hour. Ninety-one percent of data centers experience unplanned data outages each year. If you don’t have a backup system in place, you’re just tempting fate. To prevent expensive downtime, create a backup system by outsourcing data center redundancies, and add a generator, UPS (uninterruptible power supply) system and cooling fans as necessary. Whatever you spend now will almost certainly be cheaper than dealing with unplanned outages.
• You need more space: Your company has probably expanded over the years, both metaphorically and physically. Eventually, your server room is going to get crowded, which can speed up the server replacement cycle. The more power you need, the more servers you need. In turn, the more servers you need, the more cooling fans are required. It’s wise to build regular data center upgrades into your budget.
• It’s hard to maintain compliance requirements: When it starts to become difficult to maintain internal and government guideline compliance, you should consider upgrading your data center. Since data centers use a lot of power (about 139 billion kilowatt-hours in 2020), their environmental impact is huge. What’s more, they’re often not designed as efficiently as they could be. You could be paying for power you don’t need to be using. That’s why it’s smart to upgrade periodically.

Benefits of a data center upgrade project plan

Not only will an upgrade prevent expensive downtime, but there are several other benefits involved. First, an upgraded data center will have the latest energy-efficient technology, so you’ll use less power cooling your servers. Bugs, glitches and security vulnerabilities are less likely with newer equipment, saving employee time, too.

It’s also better for the environment. Data centers use up massive amounts of power every day, and the demand is only growing. Any time you can upgrade your equipment to save energy, you’re not only lowering your power bills but making a positive impact on the environment. Every bit counts.

Finally, upgrading shows your customers that you care about downtime, security and environmental impact. If you can’t offer your clients a seamless and secure experience, they’re sure to find someone else who fits the bill.

Ultimately, you’ll need to upgrade your equipment anyway. Why not build a data center upgrade into your project planning and enjoy all the benefits? Ham’s Electric, Inc. can help. Call us today to find out how we can power your business.