Data center techs, how do you access procedures and schematics on the floor?

[RevampedPlant]

I'm researching workflows in data center electrical maintenance and commissioning. Curious how experienced techs handle situations like:

• Referencing one-line diagrams while working in switchgear
• Looking up torque specs or manufacturer procedures mid-task
• Walking a less experienced tech through a procedure when you can't physically be there

Is it all paper and phones? Does anyone use tablets or AR wearables? What would actually make the job easier vs what's just a gimmick vendors push?

Thanks in advance. Trying to learn from the people who actually do this work.

 

[jim dungar]

Small screens are not as effective as larger ones. Too much having to scroll and zoom in and a high chance of missing something.
When I did commissioning, I used a laptop with a second screen. Most of our gear drawings were created based on an 11x17 printed page, so an 11" display worked okay for the drawings, with a second screen for notes and written procedures.

For remote troubleshooting it was great to see live video from the on-site tech's phone camera.

Of course there were problems when cell phone or wireless internet was not available as is not uncommon in data centers where network access is often frowned on or prohibited.

 

[zbang]

Any serious referencing is to paper or laptops, phones are only for the occasional check. (One should have torque specs before opening the cabinet/equipment, or at least the ones you're likely to touch.)

I'm a paper guy for a lot of things, I can make notes on the the pages.

 

[suemarkp]

Most of the data centers I worked processed national defense information (secret stuff), so there were no cell phones, wifi, bluetooth available within the perimeter. Some areas had one computer on the internet tucked in a corner where you could go pull instructions or get manufacturer info for things. Screen size could vary and isn't quickly changed, but a dual monitor setup was ideal or a huge screen (get what a software developer would want). But if you didn't have that, you needed to leave, go get what you need, and bring it back on paper. The paper may not be able to leave though once brought in.

So having paper on site is the safest way if there is a place to store it and view it. Otherwise, there are always solutions, but they impede productivity. Planning ahead and thinking through what you may need helps a lot.

 

[ModbusMan]

We have the one-lines printed up D size and posterized (is that a word?) by our design-build contractor, then hang a copy in each electrical room plus the raised floor. Though to be fair, most of our team probably has not only their "home" building, but any others in the same city, memorized anyway because they'll cover each other during holidays and vacation. Torque is checked by the installing electrical contractors while the system is cold prior to a building going online, after which we depend on IR scans to highlight anything that might be going south. In 15+ years, though, I only ever remember RPP branch breakers having issues (typically cross-threading).