msilva94
Member
- Location
- Allentown, PA, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
I’m dealing with a situation where an electrical panel and a 45kVA 480V transformer need to be placed in the same room as the IT rack. The issue is that the dedicated electrical room doesn’t have the required space, and even if it did, it’s in a locked location on the opposite side of the building, far from the client’s area. In order to provide power for this client, we proposed installing a transformer and panel within their suite. Unfortunately, the client is unwilling to allocate a dedicated electrical room for this purpose.
The IT specialist is concerned about the EMF emitted by the transformer and how they might interfere with the server and UPS, including potential risks like demagnetization. I’ve reassured him that the transformer won’t just become an instant magnet upon activation, and that the 40kVA UPS tower, located right next to the IT rack, might actually pose a greater EMF concern.
I’ve already coordinated with the Mechanical Engineer to ensure proper cooling before relocating to this room, but the IT specialist is still pushing back, worried about the potential impact of the transformer on the server's performance.
He does not want to share his room and has even recommended building a faraday cage over the transformer if it needs to stay.
The room is 8'x10', with the IT rack positioned in the bottom left corner, and the transformer and electrical panel placed in the upper right corner.
There's about 6-7' of diagnol space between the equipment.
He's still fighting hard to get the equipment out, ( grrrrrr
) and by now I would give in, but I don't have an alternative location.
I've even tried hunting down in the NEC any situations where this not legal (he made mention this is a code violation).
I've had projects in the past where IT Specialists asked to relocate Racks in Electrical Rooms, and EMF never seemed an issue then (anecdotally).
Any agreement that the specialist is in the right and if so, any work arounds/recommendations that aren't building a faraday cage around the transformer? (I'm still internally cringing and laughing)
The IT specialist is concerned about the EMF emitted by the transformer and how they might interfere with the server and UPS, including potential risks like demagnetization. I’ve reassured him that the transformer won’t just become an instant magnet upon activation, and that the 40kVA UPS tower, located right next to the IT rack, might actually pose a greater EMF concern.
I’ve already coordinated with the Mechanical Engineer to ensure proper cooling before relocating to this room, but the IT specialist is still pushing back, worried about the potential impact of the transformer on the server's performance.
He does not want to share his room and has even recommended building a faraday cage over the transformer if it needs to stay.
The room is 8'x10', with the IT rack positioned in the bottom left corner, and the transformer and electrical panel placed in the upper right corner.
There's about 6-7' of diagnol space between the equipment.
He's still fighting hard to get the equipment out, ( grrrrrr
) and by now I would give in, but I don't have an alternative location.I've even tried hunting down in the NEC any situations where this not legal (he made mention this is a code violation).
I've had projects in the past where IT Specialists asked to relocate Racks in Electrical Rooms, and EMF never seemed an issue then (anecdotally).
Any agreement that the specialist is in the right and if so, any work arounds/recommendations that aren't building a faraday cage around the transformer? (I'm still internally cringing and laughing)
