Tag Archive for: USV

Data center data security reliability depends on many different factors. For example, from the energy supply and operational reliability of the power supply. This is what we refer to in this blog as electrical data security. Electrical data security conditions must be constantly monitored to achieve Tier 1 – 4 levels. It is advisable for you to monitor parameters of power quality, energy and fault current detection as well as cyber security together.

Figure 1: https://www.hpe.com/ch/de/what-is/data-center-tiers.html (31.1.2020); Source: Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG (own design)

Electrical data security and the problem

Various studies have shown that poor network quality causes costs. These run into the billions every year. As early as 2007, the Pan-European LPQI Power Quality Survey estimated that the damage amounts to the equivalent of $150 billion annually. In the meantime, the challenges this poses for everyone have steadily increased. And that’s especially true for data centers.

The basic requirements for a data center

There are many requirements to consider when planning the power supply for a data center:

  • Secure location in terms of energy supply and environmental conditions
  • High energy efficiency to minimize operating costs
  • Maximum availability due to redundancies (UPS, generators)
  • High security (fire protection, access, defense against cyberattacks)
  • System stability and reliability of the devices used
  • Possibility for later expansion
  • Compatibility with the standard e.g. according to DIN EN 50600,etc.
  • etc.

Possible solutions for electrical data security

1. investment protection through good power quality (PQ)

Figure 2: Power quality simplified; Source: Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG

2. system protection by residual current and fault current monitoring

The risk

Residual current monitoring (RCM) in low-voltage networks (e.g. data centers) that is not detected or is detected too late represents a significant safety risk:

  • Fault currents and insulation decay are caused by defective / bad components (e.g. switching power supplies, LEDs, server systems, PV, etc.)
  • In the data center should / must not be switched off in the event of a fault!
  • Overheated cable insulation causes a fire risk!
The solution

Detection of risky fault currents by means of permanent residual current measurement, thereby increasing the safe operation of electrical systems.

Figure 3: Residual current monitoring Source: Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG

Advantages
  • Time-consuming manual checks are no longer required (shutdown issue)
  • Continuous monitoring instead of status quo
  • Legal security with regard to the law, auditors (asset protection) and insurance companies
  • Permanent damage prevention to people and equipment

3. electrical data security through cyber security

Threat from cyber attacks

Figure 4: Threat of cyber attacks

The topic of cyber security is becoming increasingly important due to the constantly growing level of networking. Especially in the areas of critical infrastructure. Due to the threat situation, effective cyber security is essential there. Thus also very specific in data centers and considered under the topic of “electrical data security”.

You can find the complete blog post on cyber security here

Find complete solutions for your data center here

Measurement information can be provided in the Camille Bauer power quality meters in file format (CSV or PQDIF) using the data export scheduler. Such files can be stored locally and downloaded via the web interface or periodically or event-driven being pushed to an SFTP server.

To make events even more readable, in future users will be able to configure the output graphics with reference to a programmable recording period. This includes the RMS values ½ ≤1s before and ≤180s after the triggering of a PQ event. In addition, the sample values of ≤1s before and ≤5s after triggering can be parametrized. The events can then be zoomed directly in the web browser and allow the relevant values to be read even better in a higher resolution.

Especially during mobile measurements of power quality, it can happen that the mains voltage is briefly interrupted. Consequently, all power quality analysis units of the LINAX PQ series are now optionally equipped with a UPS and can easily withstand a power failure of 5×3 minutes.

Customise compliance report with company data and logo without additional software, directly from the unit’s web browser.

Certified power quality monitoring and fire protection enhancement

Preamble

The volume of digital data continues to increase rapidly and steadily. Not least caused by cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin (XBT), Ether (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), etc. or, for example, by the blockchain process, a quasi-type database that works on various networked servers. The increasing demand for data exchange also increases the need for data centres, which are planned, built and maintained on a large scale globally. However, data centres in the electrical energy context are subject to complex challenges that can influence (legally) secure 24/ operation.

The basic requirements

When planning the energy supply of a data centre, many demands must be taken into account:

  • Secure location in terms of energy supply and environmental conditions
  • High energy efficiency to minimise operating costs
  • Maximum availability (Uptime Insitute Tier 1-4) through use of redundancies, e.g. UPS, generators
  • High security (fire protection, access, defence against cyber attacks)
  • System stability and reliability of the operating resources used
  • Scalability

The problem description

Various studies show that power quality problems cost billions each year. Read more

Especially during mobile measurements of power quality, it can happen that the mains voltage is briefly interrupted. Consequently, all power quality analysis units of the LINAX PQ series are now optionally equipped with a UPS and can easily withstand a power failure of 5×3 minutes.