Sensors & transducers
costs and emissions. If the same sensor gives an incorrectly low reading, cooling will be insufficient, which can lead to IT equipment working inefficiently or even breaking down.
MEASUREMENT STABILITY IS KEY TO LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE It is important to remember that measurement precision is not just about accuracy at the time of installation. All sensors drift over time, to a greater or lesser degree, so measurement stability is vitally important. Some sensor suppliers claim very high accuracy, but they may not have high stability, which means that measurements from these sensors will damage energy efficiency, even after a short period. Good-quality sensors provide accurate measurements that remain accurate in the long term. By ensuring the controller has accurate inputs it is possible to precisely control indoor conditions and optimise energy efficiency. Highlighting the importance of sensor accuracy, Vaisala participated in a simulation based on three real Datacentres in Europe, and found that a setpoint temperature difference of just 1°C (resulting from imprecise sensors) could increase annual energy usage by as much as 8.5 per cent.
An important point to note here, is that the cost of high-quality sensors is insignificant (and almost non-existent) in comparison with both the energy efficiency that they enable and with the value of the IT assets that they help protect.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WEATHER FORECASTS
By anticipating upcoming hot weather, Datacentres can use predictive cooling to avoid early chiller startup, make optimal use of free cooling, and reduce chiller operating hours. This proactive approach translates into further energy savings and a lower carbon footprint.
CHANGE SENSORS TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND CABLING
Typically, the internal environments of Datacentres are monitored by hundreds or even thousands of sensors, and each instrument needs a connection with the BMS controller so that it can report the measurement values. Sensors with analog signals require a dedicated cable from each sensor to the controller. However, if operators can switch to a fieldbus connection it becomes possible to daisy-chain the instruments so that only one cable is needed, and thereby dramatically reduce the cabling requirement. For example, a 100-meter aisle with 30 instruments, each with dedicated cables spaced three meters apart, with a three-meter cable drop, would require 1,695 meters of cable weighing 110 kg. However, in stark contrast,
Instrumentation Monthly May 2025
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