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Programme focus: IT Cooling Units (ITCU)
The Eurovent Certified Performance programme for IT Cooling Units (ITCU) applies to cooling units specifically designed and used to regulate air temperature, and optionally air humidity, of an enclosed space containing critical equipment for services such as IT or telecommunications. The programme attests the conformity of products to European and International Standards and provides independently verified performance data via an impartial and vigorous certification process.
Why is IT cooling unit certification important?
Buildings such as Data Centres often have very succinct requirements, which means HVAC professionals need accurate and precise product performance data. Projects often require a 0% tolerance for modelling, meaning there is no allowance for deviations, approximations, or assumptions – product performance must be proven.
Underperforming cooling systems can be disastrous for data centres, causing issues such as:
- Overheating and failure of servers or other IT and telecommunications equipment
- Increased energy consumption, carbon footprint and running costs
- Difficulty up-scaling facilities if requirements change
- Plus, underperforming systems are more prone to failure and breakdown.
With servers and other digital equipment at risk, and cooling systems accounting for nearly 40% of total data centre energy consumption, it’s vital that decision makers have access to accurate, independently verified product data, to determine product investments.
Eurovent Certified Performance guarantees the energy efficiency and performance of certified IT cooling products. This reduces risk and helps decision makers choose cooling systems that deliver for their customers.
What products are included?
The programme is open to a range of IT cooling technologies including Computer Room Air Conditioners with Direct Expansion (CRAC) and Computer Room Air Handler with Chilled Water (CRAH). HYBRID units pairing these technologies are also covered by the scope. Rear Door Coolers are also part of the programme scope. A full list of technology types considered in the scope is available in the Technical Certification Rules.
The IT cooling units must be factory made units, designed as a single packaged unit or a single split unit. Units must be 50 Hz frequency units, optionally 60 Hz units can be declared in addition to the 50 Hz. The units can be ducted or non-ducted units, as well on the air return or on the air supply. Floating floors air return or supply are considered as a duct.
To find out more about the certification of rear door cooling units contact apply@eurovent-certification.com
What is certified?
Certification includes:
- Annual random selection of units and tests in an independent and accredited laboratory
- Annual production site audit
- Software certification extending the certification from standard functioning conditions to nonstandard conditions.
Main certified characteristics and acceptance criteria:
- Net Total Cooling Capacity (kW)
- Net Sensible Cooling Capacity (kW)
- Power input (kW)
- Net EER Energy Efficiency Ratio (%)
- Net SHR Sensible Heat Ratio (%)
- Water pressure drop (kPa)
- Supply Air Flow (m³/h)
- A-weighted sound power indoor side (dB(A))
- A-weighted sound power radiated by duct (dB(A))
- A-weighted sound power outdoor side (dB(A)).
What are the testing standards?
IT cooling units certified under this Eurovent Certified Performance programme are tested to:
- EN 14511:2018
- EN 1397:2015
- ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 127-2012
- ASHRAE Standard 37
- EN12102-1 :2017
- EN 16583:2015
- SASO 2874:2016.
You can find out more about the certification rules and requirements in the Technical Certification Rules and Certification Manual on our Eurovent Certified Performance programme for IT Cooling Units page.
Why choose Eurovent Certified Performance?
Eurovent Certified Performance for IT Cooling Units offers a comprehensive, independent and impartial certification programme, which goes far beyond laboratory testing alone.
- Independent laboratory tests
- Factory audits
- Software audits
- Full analysis and validation of all supplied data (including marketing materials)
- Surveillance process to ensure continued conformity.
Evaluation protocols are uniform to ensure the certification process is fair and equal for all manufacturers. Eurovent Certification:
- Evaluates all products according to the same criteria
- Expresses results in the same unit of measurement, regardless of the country where the products are manufactured or marketed
- Ensures all products within the programme go through exactly the same certification, auditing and surveillance process
- Ensures products with components manufactured across multiple sites (sometimes in different countries), all reach Eurovent Certification standards
- Impartiality standards are kept high as manufacturers and laboratories have no direct contact, keeping the process clear of any bias
- Additionally, products to be tested can be taken from the production line, factory stock or point of sale, ensuring the product tested is exactly the same as those leaving the production line.
As all IT cooling units go through the same process, decision makers can directly compare this data when making product decisions, via the free to access certified product directory.