What conditions equipment needs.
WHAT MATTERS
Temperature at equipment intakes, not room average.
WHY
Equipment is affected by what it draws in.
WHAT RANGES ARE ACCEPTABLE
Wider than most people assume.
Industry guidance has raised recommended ranges considerably as equipment has become more tolerant.
WHY THAT MATTERS
Running colder than necessary wastes substantial energy.
WHAT HUMIDITY AFFECTS
Too low: static discharge risk
Too high: condensation and corrosion risk
WHAT TO CONTROL
Both, within a defined band.
WHAT TO MONITOR
Intake temperature at several heights in each rack Humidity at several points Rate of change
WHY RATE OF CHANGE MATTERS
Rapid change stresses components more than a steady higher temperature.
WHAT TO ALERT ON
Departure from the defined band Rapid rise, which indicates cooling failure
WHAT TO CHECK
Whether hot spots exist, which averages conceal.
HOW
Measure at multiple points, including the tops of racks.
WHAT TO RECORD
Conditions over time, so trends are visible.