CDCS EXIN EPI Certified Data Centre Specialist Questions and Answers

The minimum requirement forpower feeds to a Rated-3 data centeraccording toANSI/TIA-942is to havetwo independent power feeds, which can come from two different substations provided by the same power company. This ensures redundancy and concurrent maintainability, as each feed can support the load independently during maintenance or failure of the other.

Detailed Explanation:

The separation by two substations ensures resilience in case of a localized outage or substation maintenance, aligning with Rated-3 requirements for uninterrupted operation. ANSI/TIA-942 permits these feeds from a single utility provider as long as they are supplied from distinct substations.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI underscores the importance of dual power feeds from separate substations for Rated-3 facilities, highlighting that the ability to draw from different substations aligns with redundancy requirements for high availability.

Blast protectionshould be considered if thedata centeror its location is apotential targetor is near high-risk areas. Blast protection measures can protect both personnel and infrastructure from potential explosion impacts, which could be essential in areas with heightened security risks.

Detailed Explanation:

In areas where there may be risks of terrorist attacks or explosions due to nearby high-risk facilities, implementing blast protection measures helps safeguard the data center's infrastructure. These measures can include reinforced walls, blast-resistant windows, and secure entryways designed to withstand explosive forces.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

While not specifically mandated by ANSI/TIA-942, EPI training advises considering local risk factors, including proximity to potential targets, when evaluating the need for blast protection. This approach is aligned with risk assessment and mitigation practices to ensure facility security.

Earth Leakage Protectionis primarily installed toprotect human livesby detecting and disconnecting power when a fault current flows to the ground. This type of protection is essential to avoid electrical shock hazards that could occur when insulation fails, or equipment is improperly grounded.

Detailed Explanation:

Earth leakage currents can occur due to insulation faults or accidental contact with live parts. Earth Leakage Protection systems, such as Residual Current Devices (RCDs), quickly detect these faults and disconnect the circuit to prevent harm to personnel. This is especially crucial in environments like data centers where high-powered equipment is continuously running and any electrical fault can pose significant safety risks.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI emphasizes that human safety is paramount in data center operations. Proper grounding and leakage protection are fundamental safety measures, and EPI guidelines align with this focus, underscoring the importance of protecting personnel from electrical hazards through appropriate safety systems.

Inseismic-prone areas, cables should betightly securedto racks and cable trays to minimize movement during seismic activity. Properly securing the cables prevents them from being damaged due to excessive motion, which could lead to outages or damage to connected equipment.

Detailed Explanation:

Loose cables can be vulnerable to shaking or sudden jolts during an earthquake, increasing the risk of disconnection or damage. By tightly organizing and securing cables, you ensure they remain in place, even during significant movement, thereby maintaining connection integrity and reducing the risk of physical damage.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI training includes considerations for data centers in seismic zones, advising that cables be firmly anchored to support structures to reduce movement and mitigate potential damage during seismic events.

Aspirit level barshouldnot be usedfor leveling a raised floor, asmeasurement errorsare likelytopropagatefrom one pedestal to the next. Spirit levels can introduce cumulative errors, leading to uneven floors, particularly in large installations where precise leveling is critical.

Detailed Explanation:

Using a laser level or a precision leveling device is recommended to ensure accuracy across all floor tiles. Spirit levels, while adequate for short spans, can transfer small inaccuracies from one pedestal to another, which can cause alignment issues and floor instability over time.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI data center guidelines discourage the use of spirit levels for raised floors. Instead, they advocate for precision tools like laser levels that ensure consistency and accuracy in large-scale installations, aligning with best practices for raised floor construction.

For anMCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) in the PDU of an air-conditioning unit, aC-Curveis recommended. C-Curve breakers are suitable for circuits with moderate inrush currents, such as those experienced in air conditioning units. They provide protection against overloads while accommodating the inrush without nuisance tripping.

Detailed Explanation:

C-Curve breakers trip when currents exceed 5 to 10 times the rated current, making them ideal for devices like air conditioners that experience moderate inrush currents upon startup. This characteristic provides a balance between protection and resilience against startup surges, preventing unnecessary trips while safeguarding the circuit.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI guidance for data center electrical systems specifies that C-Curve breakers are appropriate for equipment with inrush characteristics similar to air conditioning units, as they help prevent operational interruptions caused by typical surges during equipment start-up.

Asrelative humiditydecreases,Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)risks increase. Lower humidity levels reduce the amount of moisture in the air, which normally helps dissipate static charges. When the humidity drops from 50% to 35%, the likelihood of static electricity accumulating on surfaces rises, leading to a higher potential for ESD incidents that could damage sensitive IT equipment.

Detailed Explanation:

ESD events are more common in dry environments because there is less atmospheric moisture to neutralize electrical charges. Maintaining relative humidity above 40% helps minimize the risk of ESD, which is why data centers often control humidity levels tightly to protect equipment from static discharge that could cause hardware failures or data loss.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI data center best practices stress the importance of maintaining stable humidity levels to prevent ESD, particularly in computer rooms. Recommended humidity ranges are typically above 40% to prevent conditions that would foster static buildup.

Incomputer rooms, replacing awet pipe systemwith apre-action systemis advisable. Pre-action systems provide additional protection by requiring two triggers (e.g., heat and smoke) before water is released, minimizing the risk of accidental discharge and water damage, which is crucial for safeguarding sensitive IT equipment.

Detailed Explanation:

Wet pipe systems contain water in the pipes at all times, which poses a higher risk of accidental discharge. Pre-action systems, however, only fill the pipes with water upon detection of a fire, reducing the risk of water-related damage due to leaks or malfunctions. This approach is considered best practice for environments housing sensitive electronic equipment.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI advises using pre-action fire suppression in data centers to reduce risks associated with accidental water release, providing a safer and more controlled fire response that better protects critical infrastructure.

The electrical design shown in the diagrams represents aTIA-942 Rating-4configuration. This design includesfull redundancy and fault tolerance, as demonstrated by the dual power distribution paths from the utility supply to the critical loads. Each power distribution path isequipped with its own UPS, ensuring that the ICT equipment and mechanical equipment have uninterrupted power in case of any single point of failure.

Detailed Explanation:

ARating-4data center requires two independent power paths that are fully redundant and capable of supporting the load independently. In the diagrams:

There are dual feeds from the utility supply, each going through separate transfer switches and power distribution paths.

Both paths have backup sources (+1) and serve critical components through separate UPS systems, providing a completely redundant setup.

The design also includes redundant paths to the mechanical equipment and ICT equipment, which further indicates the fault-tolerant characteristics of a Rating-4 infrastructure.

This setup allows for concurrent maintainability and ensures that no single failure in power distribution or UPS can impact the data center’s operation, which is characteristic of the highest Tier/Rated-4 classification.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI guidelines confirm that TIA-942 Rating-4 requires full redundancy and fault tolerance for electrical infrastructure, ensuring continuous operation even during maintenance or failure events. This design meets all those requirements, thus aligning with Rating-4 standards.

To reduceElectromagnetic Fields (EMF)emanating from theelectrical risernear sensitive IT equipment,three-phase power cabling in a combined cable(such as XLPE) is effective. Combined cabling helps reduce EMF by keeping the conductors tightly packed, which minimizes magnetic fields generated by current flow. Cables like XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) also offer better insulation, which helps mitigate EMF interference with nearby IT equipment.

Detailed Explanation:

Using a combined three-phase cable reduces EMF because the magnetic fields generated by each phase tend to cancel each other out when in close proximity. This arrangement helps reduce theoverall magnetic field strength. In addition, XLPE and similar materials provide good insulation, making them a preferred choice for reducing EMF emissions around sensitive equipment.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI data center best practices recommend mitigating EMF interference through combined cabling arrangements, especially near areas where sensitive IT equipment is located. Reducing EMF is crucial to maintaining equipment reliability and ensuring compliance with safety standards.

To calculate thecooling airflow requirementfor ICT equipment, you can use the formula:

CFM=Power (kW)×3160ΔT(°F)\text{CFM} = \frac{\text{Power (kW)} \times 3160}{\Delta T (\text{°F})}CFM=ΔT(°F)Power (kW)×3160​

For equipment consuming6 kWwith aDelta-Tof20°F:

CFM=6×316020=948≈1,000 CFM\text{CFM} = \frac{6 \times 3160}{20} = 948 \approx 1,000 \, \text{CFM}CFM=206×3160​=948≈1,000CFM

Detailed Explanation:

This formula provides an estimate of the cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air required to cool the equipment based on its power consumption and the temperature difference (Delta-T) between intake and exhaust. The Delta-T represents the cooling effectiveness of the airflow.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI recommends using this calculation for determining airflow requirements in data centers, ensuring that cooling systems are adequately sized to maintain equipment within safe temperature limits.

When installingoverhead data cabling, it’s crucial tomaintain minimum separationfrompower cablesto prevent electromagnetic interference. Additionally, cabling should be arranged so that it does not obstructfire detection and suppression systems, allowing for proper sensor function and suppression agent dispersion in the event of a fire.

Detailed Explanation:

Separation between power and data cabling minimizes the risk of interference and helps ensure compliance with standards for signal integrity. Proper placement relative to fire suppression systems ensures that any smoke or heat can be effectively detected, and suppression agents can be evenly distributed without obstruction from cabling.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI guidelines emphasize maintaining adequate separation between power and data cables for safety and performance and ensuring cabling does not interfere with essential safety systems in data centers.

Highdust levelsin a computer room are often due toimproperly fitted floorboards. When floorboards are not securely installed or do not fit tightly, they allow dust and particles from the subfloor to enter the room. In a data center, this can lead to high levels of dust that affect air quality and equipment performance.

Detailed Explanation:

Raised floors in data centers can accumulate dust and debris, especially if the floorboards are not properly sealed. Loose or improperly fitted floorboards allow contaminants from the subfloor to enter the data center environment, increasing the dust levels over time. Proper installation and maintenance of floor panels are essential to prevent dust infiltration and maintain clean conditions.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI training emphasizes proper flooring installation and maintenance to control air quality withindata centers. Correctly fitted floorboards prevent dust accumulation from the subfloor, which helps protect sensitive equipment and maintains a cleaner environment.

In a data center with noise levels of 91 dB (A), employers are indeed required to take precautions to protect personnel, as this level exceeds commonly accepted safety thresholds for occupational noise exposure. Regulations, such as those from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or similar agencies, mandate specific controls and protections for environments with high noise levels.

Detailed Explanation:

Noise levels above 85 dB (A) typically trigger requirements for hearing conservation programs. At 91 dB (A), steps like providing ear protection, conducting regular noise assessments, and possibly implementing engineering controls to reduce noise should be taken. Extended exposure to such levels can lead to hearing loss, so regulatory compliance ensures both immediate and long-term protection for personnel.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI guidelines for data center safety address noise exposure as part of the environmental safety measures. EPI recommends adhering to local occupational health regulations, as excessive noise can harm personnel and affect operational efficiency due to potential health hazards.

To determine the required capacity of the battery bank for the 15-minute runtime at full load, one must know the total power requirement that the battery bank must supply. The specifications provided include most of the necessary details, such as rated power, input voltage, battery voltage, and discharge voltage. However, one critical piece of information is missing: theUPS efficiency.

Detailed Explanation:

In a data center UPS system, the battery bank is designed to supply power for a set duration when there is an input power failure. TheUPS efficiencyaffects the actual power the UPS can deliver to the load compared to the power it draws from the batteries. The efficiency factor is necessary to accurately calculate the required capacity of the battery bank since it determines how much input power is needed from the batteries to supply the load at full capacity. The formula typically used to determine battery capacity involves factoring in UPS efficiency, as it allows you to understand the losses within the UPS system.

If UPS efficiency is not considered, there would be an inaccurate estimation of the actual power needed from the batteries. For instance, if a UPS has 90% efficiency, only 90% of the power drawn from the batteries reaches the load. Without knowing this efficiency, it is not possible to calculate the battery bank size accurately, as you cannot accurately estimate the losses within the UPS itself.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

According to EPI Data Center Specialist training, understanding theUPS efficiencyis essential for battery sizing. Without it, the calculations could lead to either undersizing or oversizing the battery bank, which affects both reliability and cost-effectiveness of the UPS system. The EPI Data Center Specialist course emphasizes that battery sizing must account for all losses within the UPS system, with efficiency being a primary factor in these calculations.