Power Cable Red Flags – Avoid for Safety and Better Data Center Performance

Data centers are the backbone of modern digital infrastructure. Yet, minor oversights like substandard power cables can jeopardize safety, reliability, and energy efficiency. Understanding these power cable red flags is crucial for ensuring optimal data center performance.

This article aims to help not only data center engineers and technicians. It’s also for IT managers who handle general networking and cabling for organizations with smaller IT infrastructures. Edge data centers and modular data centers in universities, retail, and hospitals will also find this article vital, especially for safety.

Power Cable Red Flags?

Non-Compliant with Industry Standards – No Certification

It is important to ensure that your data center power cables meet the standards set by recognized industry bodies such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), or the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).?

Non-compliant cables may not have undergone rigorous testing for safety, performance, and reliability. Be aware of cables that lack proper certification marks or appear to have forged certifications.

Certification marks from reputable organizations like UL, CE (Conformité Européenne), and CSA (Canadian Standards Association) ensure the product meets specific safety and performance standards. Cables without these marks, or with counterfeit marks, are a significant risk that is not worth taking.

If your cable supplier isn’t able to show any form of certification, you may want to review your options.?

Inadequate Shielding and Insulation

Power cables with poor or missing shielding and insulation are another red flag. Proper shielding and insulation protect against electromagnetic interference (EMI), physical damage, and electrical leaks.?

EMI can cause data corruption and loss, while inadequate insulation raises the risk of shorts and shocks.

The IEC publishes guidelines on cable insulation requirements, emphasizing the importance of materials that can withstand the operational environment of data centers.

Here are some construction signs to look out for:?

• Inconsistent Cable Thickness: Variations in the cable’s diameter along its length can indicate low-quality manufacturing and inconsistent insulation.
• Easily Exposed Conductors: The cable likely has poor insulation quality if the insulation feels flimsy or the inner wires are easily exposed with minimal pressure.
• Suspiciously Low Price: Extremely low compared to similar cables from reputable brands might indicate substandard materials and poor quality. Low pricing is excellent for business, but watch out for overtly low ones that seem unreasonable.

Incorrect Cable Gauge

Using an incorrect cable gauge (thickness) for your data center’s power load is a major red flag. The American Wire Gauge (AWG) system dictates a wire’s current-carrying capacity, and undersized cables will dangerously overheat, posing a fire risk and potentially damaging equipment. Data centers operate with high power demands, making this even more critical.

Incorrectly rated cables can also fail under stress. Always consult the National Electrical Code (NEC) and equipment specifications to select the correct cable gauge and type. Be careful of suppliers that will sell you lower-gauged power cables than what they advertise. Not only will an incorrect cable gauge mess up your data center power cable management, but it will also lead to safety issues and equipment damage.

Absence of Fire Resistance

Although there are plenty of data center power cable types available, all of them should at least have some fire-resistant rating. Power cables with zero fire resistance are a major red flag, especially for data centers. Fire-resistant cables minimize the risk of spreading fire and releasing hazardous fumes in case of a fire. The National Electrical Code (NEC) specifies the types of cables suitable for different environments, and it emphasizes the need for fire-resistant materials in settings prone to fire risks.

Plenum-rated cables are highly recommended for areas running through plenum spaces, such as above ceilings or below floors. These cables come with special jackets that reduce the potential of fire spreading and minimize the emission of toxic smoke in the event of a fire. This feature is crucial in data center environments where the safety of personnel and infrastructure is at risk from the rapid spread of fire and toxic emissions.

Read The Full Blog Post At: https://andcable.com/cable-management/power-cable-red-flags/

About The Author

Louis Chompff – Founder & Managing Director, AnD Cable Products

Louis established AnD Cable Products – Intelligently Designed Cable Management in 1989. Prior to this he enjoyed a 20+ year career with a leading global telecommunications company in a variety of senior data management positions. Louis is an enthusiastic inventor who designed, patented and brought to market his innovative Zero U cable management racks and Unitag cabel labels, both of which have become industry-leading network cable management products. AnD Cable Products only offer products that are intelligently designed, increase efficiency, are durable and reliable, re-usable, easy to use or reduce equipment costs. He is the principal author of the Cable Management Blog, where you can find network cable management ideas, server rack cabling techniques and rack space saving tips, data center trends, latest innovations and more.

Visit https://andcable.com or shop online at https://andcable.com/shop/