Common Mistakes When Buying Data Centre Racks
Choosing the right data centre racks might seem straightforward at first. You need somewhere secure to house servers, switches, storage, UPS systems and network equipment, so you buy a rack that looks the right size and get everything installed.
In reality, which one you select has a much bigger impact on the reliability, efficiency and manageability of your IT infrastructure than many people realise. The wrong rack can restrict airflow, make cabling difficult, limit future expansion, create power distribution issues and even increase the risk of downtime.
At Source UPS, we help businesses design, supply, install and maintain data centre, server room and IT infrastructure solutions.
Because we are independent, our advice is unbiased. We work with leading manufacturers including APC by Schneider Electric, Riello, Eaton, Vertiv and others, but our focus is always on what is right for the customer, not what suits a particular brand.
If you are buying data centre racks, here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid.
1. Choosing a rack based only on height
One of the first things people look at when buying data centre racks is the rack height. This is usually measured in U, with common options including 24U, 42U and 47U racks. While height is important, it is only one part of the decision.
A rack may have enough vertical space for your equipment, but that does not mean it is suitable. You also need to consider rack depth, width, load capacity, airflow, access and cable routing. Modern servers and rack mounted UPS systems can be deeper and heavier than older equipment, so a rack that looks large enough on paper may still be impractical once everything is installed.
We help customers look at the complete picture. That includes the equipment being installed now, likely future upgrades and the space needed for PDUs, cable management, blanking panels, UPS systems and maintenance access.
2. Forgetting about rack depth
Rack depth is one of the easiest details to overlook. Many people assume that if equipment is designed for a standard 19 inch rack, it will fit any data centre rack. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
The 19 inch measurement refers to the mounting width, not the usable internal depth. Servers, switches, storage arrays and rack mounted UPS systems all have different depth requirements. You also need clearance for power cables, network cables and airflow at the rear.
Buying a rack that is too shallow can leave you with equipment that does not fit properly. Cables might end up crushed or bent, or doors not closed. This can create airflow problems and make maintenance much harder than it needs to be.
3. Underestimating power requirements
A data centre rack is not just a cabinet. It is part of a wider power infrastructure. Every server, switch, storage device and appliance inside the rack needs reliable power. In many cases, that power also needs to be protected by a UPS.
At Source UPS, power protection is at the heart of what we do. We supply rack mounted UPS systems designed to fit standard 19 inch IT, server and network enclosures. These systems help protect critical equipment from power cuts, voltage fluctuations and other power problems.
For lower power loads, a 1U rack mounted UPS may be suitable. For larger loads, 2U rack mounted UPS options are available up to 3kVA. For high density racks with greater power requirements, we can supply larger rack mount UPS systems up to 40kVA, including three phase input and output options.
One common mistake is filling a rack with equipment before properly calculating the total load. This can lead to overloaded circuits, insufficient UPS capacity and poor runtime during an outage. We always recommend planning rack power from the beginning, not treating it as an afterthought.
4. Ignoring UPS runtime and not considering batteries
Installing a UPS is not simply a case of choosing a unit with enough capacity. You also need to think about runtime.
Some businesses only need enough battery backup to allow systems to shut down safely. Others need a longer runtime to keep critical systems online until power is restored or a generator starts. Rack mounted UPS systems with extended runtime battery options can be a practical solution, but they take up rack space and add weight.
When we advise customers, we look at the load, the required runtime, available rack space, battery configuration and maintenance needs. We also supply models from leading manufacturers including APC Smart UPS, APC Smart UPS SRT, Riello Vision Dual, Riello Sentinel, Eaton 5PX, Eaton 9SX, Eaton 9PX and Vertiv Liebert GXT5.
5. Not planning for cooling and airflow
Poor airflow is one of the biggest causes of avoidable IT problems. Servers and network equipment generate heat, and that heat needs to be managed properly. A rack that is poorly laid out can trap hot air, restrict cool air intake and reduce equipment life.
Common airflow mistakes include leaving gaps between equipment, failing to use blanking panels, overfilling racks, blocking vents and using racks that are unsuitable for the room layout. Cable clutter at the rear of the rack can also restrict airflow.
We look at racks as part of the wider environment. That may include server room cooling, data centre cooling, hot aisle and cold aisle layout, rack density and monitoring. A well-planned rack does not just hold equipment securely. It supports efficient cooling and helps reduce the risk of downtime.
6. Overlooking cable management
Cable management is often underestimated until something goes wrong. Poorly managed cables make it harder to trace faults, replace equipment, maintain airflow and keep the rack tidy.
A good data centre rack should allow for structured cabling, vertical and horizontal cable management, clear separation of power and data cables, and easy access for maintenance. This is especially important in busy server rooms and data centres where changes are made regularly.
We design rack solutions that are practical to work with, not just neat on the day of installation. The goal is to make the infrastructure easier to manage over the long term.
7. Not considering future growth
Buying a rack based only on today’s requirements can become expensive later. IT infrastructure rarely stays still. Businesses add servers, switches, storage, security appliances, monitoring tools and backup systems over time.
If there is no spare rack space, limited power capacity or insufficient cooling, expansion becomes more difficult. You may end up needing additional racks, electrical work or cooling upgrades sooner than expected.
Our approach is to build flexibility into the design. We help customers choose data centre racks and supporting infrastructure that can scale with the business, while still making the most of the budget available now.
8. Forgetting access for maintenance
It is easy to focus on installation and forget about service access. But data centre racks need to be maintained. UPS batteries need replacing, equipment needs upgrading, cables need tracing and faults need resolving.
If a rack is positioned too close to a wall, packed too tightly or installed without enough access at the front and rear, maintenance becomes slower and more disruptive. In critical environments, that can increase risk.
We also recommend considering external bypass switches for rack mounted UPS systems. A rack mounted external bypass switch can help eliminate downtime if the UPS develops a fault or needs to be replaced at the end of its service life.
9. Buying without independent advice
There is a wide variety of data centre racks, UPS systems, PDUs, cooling products and monitoring solutions available. Choosing the right combination can be difficult, especially when every manufacturer presents its own products as the best option.
That is where we can help. Source UPS is an independent IT infrastructure specialist, founded in 2008. Our team has extensive industry experience and has represented some of the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors of IT infrastructure products.
We are one of only seven companies in the UK to have achieved EcoExpert Master status from Schneider Electric, and we have also achieved high levels of accreditation with Riello, Eaton, Vertiv and other leading manufacturers.
Because we are independent, we listen first. We assess what you need, review the options and design a solution that supports reliability, efficiency and long-term value.
Get the right solution for your data centre
The right rack should do more than hold equipment. It should support power protection, cooling, cable management, monitoring, maintenance and future growth.
At Source UPS, we keep things simple. Whether you need a single rack mounted UPS, a server room rack upgrade, service and maintenance support, or a complete data centre infrastructure solution, we can help you make the right decision from the start.
To discuss your data centre rack requirements, contact us on 01252 692559 or email info@sourceups.co.uk.
