Facility and equipment failures often occur in data centers, affecting the normal operation of the data center. Hiring an equipment technician is the key to ensuring the efficient use of the data center infrastructure. This also directly affects the safety and efficiency of the data center operation. This is often overlooked by IT executives.
    If the data center has an IT manager who is responsible for the daily operation of a data center, it is also important to hire an equipment technician, because there is a difference between barely being able to use and being able to use the data center infrastructure efficiently. It is very important to have a full and comprehensive understanding of the operation of the data center facilities and equipment. However, in the data center, it is sometimes difficult to diagnose whether some equipment components have failed.
    For this reason, I always recommend that there should be a qualified mechanical technician on staff (or hire a contract mechanical technician). Since we are all responsible for the successful operation of the data center, we must consider possible problems. For example, the fan of the high-precision constant temperature and humidity air conditioning unit is a device that is prone to problems.
    Simply put, if the high-precision constant temperature and humidity air conditioner is not blowing air out, it is obvious that there is a problem. However, there are subtle sounds and changes that should be taken into account when maintaining a computer room air conditioning system.
    For those who are not familiar with computer room air conditioning, let's review briefly. In short, we will only discuss computer room air conditioning or computer room air conditioning units installed in data centers. There are many different types of systems, some of which are installed in large central air conditioning distribution locations, and some of which provide smaller air conditioning units that are then ducted into the room.
    A refrigerant or liquid computer room air conditioner contains many components, including the condenser coil, compressor, humidifier, and fan. We will focus on the fan.
    A fan is an assembly of rotating blades that may or may not have an enclosed housing. A fan may be a supply fan or an exhaust fan. A supply fan is a fan that blows air into a duct, plenum, room, or other space. An exhaust fan is a fan that sucks air out of the room. We will focus on the supply fan.
    The following is a list of fan vibration and noise problems and how to correct them. Once again, only those qualified mechanical technicians can make the final diagnosis and repair.
1. Do you hear or feel unusual vibrations and noise coming from your computer room air conditioning unit? Here are some possible causes and repair instructions.
(1) Impeller, bearings, couplings, or V-belt drive are out of alignment. Repair Note: Loosen, align, or tighten the equipment.
(2) An unstable foundation or floor may indicate a poor design. Repair Note: You may need to start over and provide a solid, level mounting surface.
(3) Check the outer material of the unbalanced fan. Many repairmen will find something sticking to the fan frame. Repair Note: Remove this and inspect for damage.
(4) Bearing wear is difficult to diagnose, but noise or difficulty in spinning is a clear sign of a problem. Repair Note: Replace the bearings and shaft.
(5) Impeller or motor is damaged. Repair Note: Have it inspected and repaired by a qualified professional.
(6) Broken or loose bolts or screws. Repair Note: Tighten or replace.
(7) Shaft is bent or the connecting shaft is worn. The biggest question is why this happened. Repair Note: Replace.
(8) Impeller or drive pulley is unbalanced. Repair Note: Balance.
(9) Fan delivery exceeds rated value. Repair Instructions: Reduce fan speed.
(10) Fan speed is high or rotates in the wrong direction. Repair Instructions: Reduce fan speed or correct fan direction.
(11) Check for vibration transmitted to the fan from other than the fan. Repair Note: Isolate vibration or repair.
    This list is certainly not a substitute for the ears, eyes and nose of an experienced technician. For IT professionals, this is a good start to proactively help and assist the facility maintenance team; but for facility maintenance professionals, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The facilities of each data center should be maintained in good condition. Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual inspections should be pre-arranged to ensure high availability of the data center. Everyone who comes and goes in the data center should be responsible for normal operating hours and should keep an ear, eye and nose to detect abnormal problems and report them in a timely manner. This ensures the efficient and safe operation of the data center.