Keeping a data centre at the correct temperature is essential for protecting critical IT equipment, ensuring it performs at optimal levels and reducing the risk of unexpected downtime.

APC cooling units are designed to provide precise, reliable cooling for server rooms, data centres and other IT environments where conventional air conditioning may not be sufficient.

At Source UPS, we support businesses with data centre cooling solutions, maintenance and ongoing technical support. Whether you already operate APC cooling equipment or are reviewing the cooling requirements of your facility, understanding how these systems work can help you make better decisions about reliability, efficiency and maintenance.

Data centre server racks with cooling units and airflow management

More about APC Cooling Units

APC Cooling Units are specialist cooling systems designed for IT environments where heat loads can be significantly higher than in standard offices or commercial buildings.

Rather than simply making a room feel cooler, these cooling systems are designed to control the temperature around sensitive servers, networking equipment and other critical infrastructure. Many cooling solutions from APC by Schneider Electric use precision cooling technology to manage heat efficiently and maintain stable operating conditions.

Depending on the application, cooling may be provided through systems such as InRow cooling, room-based air conditioning or other close-coupled cooling configurations.

Why is specialist cooling important in a data centre?

Servers and other IT equipment generate substantial amounts of heat while operating. If that heat is not removed effectively, temperatures can rise rapidly.

Excessive heat can contribute to equipment faults, reduced performance and, in severe circumstances, complete system shutdown. A failure in the cooling system can therefore have serious consequences for business continuity.

Effective data centre cooling helps maintain suitable operating temperatures while reducing hot spots around server racks. It can also support better airflow management and improve the overall efficiency of the facility.

For organisations relying on critical IT infrastructure, cooling should be treated as an essential part of the resilience strategy rather than simply another building service.

How does APC InRow cooling work?

APC InRow cooling places cooling equipment close to the source of the heat, typically alongside server racks.

This approach is often described as close-coupled cooling or row-based cooling. Instead of cooling an entire room and relying on air to travel to the equipment, the cooling system targets the heat generated within the server rows.

This can make APC InRow cooling particularly useful in environments with high-density server racks or areas where heat loads vary considerably.

By positioning cooling closer to the IT equipment, businesses can improve temperature control and reduce the risk of individual hot spots developing within the data centre.

Choosing the right cooling system

There is no single cooling configuration that will suit every data centre.

The correct system depends on factors including:

The size of the server room or data centre
The number and density of server racks
Existing cooling infrastructure
Current and anticipated heat loads
Airflow and aisle configuration
Required levels of redundancy
Energy-efficiency objectives

A smaller server room may have very different cooling requirements from a high-density data centre running large amounts of mission-critical equipment.

It is therefore important to consider both the immediate cooling load and how the IT environment is likely to develop in future.

How often should APC Cooling Units be maintained?

Regular preventative maintenance is one of the most effective ways to improve cooling reliability and identify potential faults before they develop into larger problems.

The exact maintenance schedule will depend on the equipment, operating environment and intensity of use. However, critical cooling systems should be inspected regularly rather than waiting until performance begins to deteriorate.

At Source UPS, our standard cooling maintenance packages include two preventative maintenance visits during normal working hours, nationwide next-business-day response to emergency call-outs and 24/7, 365-day telephone technical support.

Packages can also be customised with additional quarterly preventative maintenance visits and faster same-day, eight-hour or four-hour on-site response options, subject to location.

What are the signs that a cooling unit may need attention?

A cooling system does not always fail without warning. Changes in performance can indicate that maintenance or further investigation is required.

Common warning signs can include unusual noises, repeated system alarms, inconsistent temperatures, declining airflow or an increase in hot spots around IT equipment.

Higher energy consumption can also indicate that a cooling system is working harder than necessary.

Addressing these issues early can help prevent a minor cooling fault from becoming an emergency that threatens the availability of your IT infrastructure.

Improving cooling efficiency

Efficient data centre cooling is about more than simply lowering the thermostat.

Good airflow management, appropriate cooling capacity and effective maintenance can all help reduce unnecessary energy use. Hot and cold aisle arrangements, for example, can help prevent warm exhaust air from mixing with the cooler air being supplied to server equipment.

Regular servicing can also help ensure filters, condensers and other components continue to operate effectively.

Improving cooling efficiency can reduce operating costs while also supporting the reliability and service life of the cooling equipment itself.

Supporting your APC cooling equipment

At Source UPS, we understand that reliable cooling is fundamental to keeping critical IT systems available.

We provide nationwide support and maintenance packages for APC Cooling Units as well as other makes and models of air conditioning and data centre cooling equipment. Our maintenance services are designed to improve reliability, support system efficiency and reduce the likelihood of costly emergency repairs.

We can also tailor maintenance arrangements around the needs of your facility, including installations with multiple cooling units.

Whether you need ongoing preventative maintenance, technical support or advice about your existing cooling system, our team can help you protect your infrastructure and keep your data centre running at the right temperature.

APC Cooling Units: A Complete Guide to Data Centre Cooling