Choosing Close-Coupled
IT Cooling Solutions
Smart Strategies for Small to Mid-Size Data Centers
Executive Summary
As high-density IT equipment becomes the new normal,
the amount of heat generated continues to grow
substantially – as does the challenge of efficiently cooling
data centers. Traditional perimeter and/or raised floor
computer room air conditioning systems increasingly
struggle to remove concentrated heat loads. In many
small to mid-size data centers, implementing close-
coupled cooling solutions can be a highly effective and
efficient strategy for supplementing cooling capacity.
Located in or near server racks, close-coupled air
conditioning units focus cooling where it is needed
most without lowering the temperature of the entire
data center. In addition, these modular solutions make
it easy to reconfigure cooling to handle new equipment
or eliminate hot spots. As a result, using close-coupled
portable, rack-mounted or row-based air conditioning
units tailored to your specific data center needs can
boost cooling efficiency and add valuable flexibility.
WHITE PAPER
Table of Contents
The Growing Cooling Challenge ............................................................................................................. 3
First Line of Defense: Cooling Best Practices.......................................................................................... 3
Next Step: Close-Coupled Cooling Solutions .......................................................................................... 4
Portable Close-Coupled Cooling ...............................................................................................................5
Rack-Mounted Close-Coupled Cooling .....................................................................................................5
Row-Based Close-Coupled Cooling ...........................................................................................................6
Recommended Plan of Action ................................................................................................................. 7
Higher Densities, Smarter Cooling Options ............................................................................................ 7
Tripp Lite Close-Coupled Air Conditioning Units .................................................................................... 8
Portable Air Conditioning Units .................................................................................................................8
Rack-Mounted Air Conditioning Unit .........................................................................................................8
Row-Based Air Conditioning Units .............................................................................................................8
About Tripp Lite ...................................................................................................................................... 8
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Choosing Close-Coupled IT Cooling Solutions
Technical Support: 888.447.6227 • solutions@tripplite.com • www.tripplite.com/support