32 I ICT TODAY
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
FOR SELECTING THE RIGHT CABINET DESIGN
When selecting a data center cabinet design, data center managers and ICT integrators,
installers, and consultants should ask the following questions:
FIGURE 7: Load-bearing casters are a better option
for fully loaded cabinets.
1. Can the cabinet be moved with the
intended load, reliably?
Answer: Consider designs with load-bearing casters,
ones that do not deform under a fully loaded cabinet.
3. Is the cabinet design scalable and flexible
to support hybrid operations?
Answer: The design should allow for multiple
configurations or be customizable to create
a unique cabinet that meets a customer's exact
requirements to be used as a standard solution
across multiple sites.
FIGURE 8: No application is the same, so configurability
and flexibility are needed when deploying equipment
across multiple sites.
Segregating the hot and cold air not only improves chiller efficiencies,
it also reduces the total plant cooling capacity
and creates more free cooling hours.
2. Is the cabinet load rating tested and verified
by an independent testing laboratory?
Answer: Reputable vendors load-test their cabinets
with a third-party laboratory using a common industry
standard, such as UL
®
2416, the UL Standard for
Safety Audio/Video, ICT Equipment Cabinet,
Enclosure and Rack Systems, which includes
a test of up to four times their weight capacity.
