Cold Aisle Containment Systems (CAC)

Cold aisle containment (CAC) isolates the cooled supply air from the CRAC units within direct proximity of the air intake of critical equipment

Sealing the cold aisle prevents hot server exhaust air from coming in contact with the server intake. This allows for optimal operation of critical equipment in a highly controllable and consistent air temperature environment.

CAC Systems: How They Work

This increased control allows the data center manager to accurately choose the temperature supplied to the servers.

ASHRAE 9.9 recommends a maximum supply air temperature of 80.6 F for mission critical applications. Most CRAC units are set to deliver 55 degree air. By the time this air reaches the cold aisle, the temperature will still only be around 60 degrees. This over-cooling is necessary to help mitigate the effect of the hot exhaust air spilling into the cold air’s aisle. By implementing a containment solution, either hot or cold aisle, it is possible to adjust the CRAC set points much higher. A rule of thumb is that for every 1 degree increase in set point there will be a 3-4% decrease in cooling costs. Based on that, here is an example of cost savings based on conservative results.

Annual Cooling Costs:  $350,000
10 Degree Increase In Set Point = 30% Savings
Annual Savings = $105,000

With huge savings like this, it is easy to see why cold aisle containment has become a best practice in data centers. To maximize results it is important to also seal in and under the server cabinets to prevent exhaust air from getting to the server intake. Low cost items such as blanking panels and under-cabinet panels are essential accessories to ensure your containment yields the results you expect

32 10kW racs with no cold aisle containment vs. 32 10kW racs with CAC.

Cold Aisle Containment (CAC) Systems:

Choosing The Right System For Your Data Center

  • Cold aisle containment is generally easier to implement than hot aisle in retrofit sites. As long as there is either underfloor or overhead supply air, it is possible to contain the aisle. One common approach is using horizontal ceiling panels across the tops of the cabinets. Clear panels are used to allow for high light transmission. Melt away panels are commonly used to allow panels to fall prior to fire suppression release.

    Depending on your current layout and budgetary constraints, a hot aisle containment (HAC) system may be a more cost-effective solution. For information on HAC click here: hot aisle containment

    Another common approach in containment is applying vertical panels. These panels typically extend from the top of server cabinets to the ceiling. This works very well if the ceilings are not too high and there is fire suppression in both the hot and cold aisles. If the ceilings are high, self-supported containment with partial height panels can be very effective. These panels do not go all the way to the ceiling but are high enough to prevent most re-circulation over the top of server cabinets.

    Flexible strips are still used at many sites as a cost-effective solution for aisle containment purposes. Air pressure in the aisles can cause gaps and flapping of strips which can cause air leakage. Cool Shield has many solutions to minimize separation including weights, clips and magnetic or adhesive strips. Fusible links can be used with strips to allow for release prior to fire suppression activation.

    Contact one of our experienced Project Managers for a free site assessment, and to discuss our cold aisle installation process.

Cold Aisle Containment (CAC) Systems:

Benefits Of Using A CAC System:

Cold Aisle Containment Ceiling Panels
  • Focuses cooling at rack level
  • Able to cool higher air temperature loads, typically up to 10-15kW (using a raised floor system)
  • Minimizes cold air from mixing with the hotter, expelled air, returning warmer air to the cooling unit, making the system more efficient.
  • Cold aisle containment, combined with in-row cooling, can cool more than 30kW heat load per rack

Cold Aisle Containment (CAC) Systems:

Cooling Effects: Before And After Cold Aisle Containment Implementation

32 10kW racs with no cold aisle containment vs. 32 10kW racs with CAC.

Containment Products & Accessories

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Sliding and Hinged Doors

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Sliding, Solid and Thermal Panels

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Containment Accessories

Data Center Environment Specialists

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