Originally posted to Data Center Frontier by Julius Neudorfer
Older and smaller data centers usually lack basic power measurement or monitoring systems. In those cases, the only way they become aware of a potential power problem is when IT support personnel report the issue. In some cases, even when redundant A-B power paths exist, if one side of redundant circuits fail, IT administrators may not be aware of the exposure since the IT equipment that have dual power supplies will continue to operate. Even many newer, larger data centers which may have more comprehensive power measurement at the branch circuit level, do not have a complete picture of some of the issues of assessing power quality to IT equipment.
PQM is now More Affordable and Cost Effective
There is significant and increasing investment in redundant backup power systems to ensure availability. However, historically, the relatively high cost of purchasing and installing power quality monitoring with sufficient granularity and sensitivity to detect and identify power quality issues throughout the power chain has been an inhibitor in the data center industry. As a result, it was not typically specified unless there were obvious known or expected power problems. More recently, just as the cost of other digital devices have come down while becoming more powerful; PQM has also become more sophisticated and intelligent. The result, now PQM is far more cost effective and justifiable, even for smaller data centers.
To read the full article, please click here.
