Electrical switchgear/panel & data centers

[doninindy]

Does anyone know of a code requirement that prohibits the installation of computer equipment (racks of servers, monitors, routers, etc.) in the same room as the electrical distribution equipment for a building - specifically we have a central equipment room with 277/480 volt service entrance and dry-type transformers to 120/208 and panels, disconnects, etc.

I know Article 645 specifically covers ITE Rooms, but these seem to be somewhat relaxed requirements for room DEDICATED to ITE type equipment.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[charlie]

You can have a mixed use room like this and even use it for storage, offices, etc. as long as all of the provisions of 110.26 are met for each piece of equipment. This includes egress space, proper number of doors with panic hardware if 110.26 requires that type of equipment. :smile:

 

[infinity]

I agree with Charlie but would add that you should look for local amendments that may prohibit such installations. Here's an example of one from the NYC amendments to the NEC:

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SECTION 110.25​

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Section 110.25 - Add a new section 110.25 to read as follows:​

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110.25 Electric Closets.​

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[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic][FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic]Electric closets shall be dedicated to electrical distribution [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic][FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic]equipment. Electric closets shall be identified as such, shall be sized to provide the
applicable working space requirements, and shall not be used for any other purpose including storage.​

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[Pierre C Belarge]

Local jurisdictions may prohibit this type of installation. NYC does not allow anything in electric closets other than electric....a novel idea. :wink:

 

[charlie]

Are you required to have an electrical closet or room in NYC? Consider a large plant with panelboards sprinkled throughout the plant, how do they permit any other equipment in the electrical room if there is no room but the plant?

 

[bsh]

Make sure someone doesn't put a transformer in the same room with the computer equipment, the additional heat may be a problem for the computer equipment.

 

[Misha80]

Heat be damned, how big is this room? Depending on the type of cabling you might run into problems with EMF. Does anyone know if any BICSI codes would apply to this?