Invisible but crucial: electrical installations as a safety factor in data centres
Today's IT systems require enormous computing power, which is increasingly being provided in specialised data centres. To ensure that servers, storage and network systems operate efficiently in these centres, high demands must be met in terms of electrical installation, particularly cable laying.
Whether data centres can be operated safely and without disruption depends largely on the quality of the power supply and cabling. A glance at the follow-up costs shows just how critical this aspect is: even a one-hour data centre outage can cost companies millions. This includes not only repair costs, but also losses due to production downtime, delivery failures and damage to reputation. The causes are manifold – according to the Uptime Institute's Global Data Centre Study, however, power failures remain one of the most common causes.
To avoid such risks, an uninterruptible power supply is the central goal for operators – both when planning new facilities and during ongoing operations. Technical infrastructure, electrical installations and cable management systems must therefore be planned in detail and coordinated with each other. Since these systems run through walls and floors and are hardly visible in data centre operations, their importance is often underestimated. However, their quality determines whether systems continue to run stably or fail completely. In addition, the installation must not only be able to react flexibly to varying power loads, but also effectively prevent overheating and fire risks.
Technical and regulatory requirements as a basis
In order to ensure operational safety in the long term, the circuit integrity maintenance of the cable management systems is also crucial: This ensures that safety-relevant systems such as emergency lighting or smoke extraction systems remain functional in the event of a fire. The solution used depends on the applicable building regulations and the respective fire protection concept. There is a choice of standardised support systems or installation-specific variants that are tailored to specific cable types.
However, these systems may only be used if they meet the applicable safety requirements. Compliance with these standards is ensured by strict testing procedures. Particularly relevant in this context is DIN 4102-12, which describes the test requirements for cable systems designed to ensure circuit integrity maintenance in the event of a fire.
This standard ensures that the cables used are halogen-free and have a German classification report (abP). The latter is only issued after a detailed test procedure that confirms that no short circuits or interruptions occurred during the required test period.
The implementation of these standards requires the well-thought-out interaction of all components. It is not only the quality of the materials that is decisive, but also the complete documentation of the tested combinations. This is because inadequately tested systems can lead not only to data loss in the event of damage, but also to considerable personal injury and property damage.
Have you thought of everything? How to ensure the reliable operation of a data centre
Professional planning and installation therefore form the basis for operational safety. Those who consider thermal stability, expandability and modular structures at an early stage lay the foundation for reliable data centre operation. Investing in high-quality components pays for itself many times over. Every downtime avoided and every simplified adjustment improves the return on investment (ROI) and increases the cost-effectiveness of operations. Cable management systems are therefore an integral part of the overall infrastructure – they secure the basis for energy-efficient, low-maintenance operation.
