Is there an electrician in the house?
My company is finishing up the build out of a number of ccTLD DNS and web server data centers in collocation space. We've run into the following issue that I'd be interested in this group's opinion. Our data centers will have a number of Linux servers running on 110v power, no problem there, just plug into the power strips provided. Then we'll have a couple IBM S80 servers and two trays of disks that both require 208v 30amp and an L6 plug. Now the max rated power of all the devices is well within the two 208/30 circuits we've ordered. The difficulty is that the collocation company provides a single L6 receptacle per circuit deployed. We'd planned on putting one S80 server and one tray of disks on each of the two circuits. HOWEVER, each box has its own cord and plug, i.e., two plugs. APC, and I'm sure others, make essentially a 208/30amp outlet strip (http://www.apc.com/products/accessories/wiring_ccpdu.cfm , cost between $185-$200) that we'd planned to use. As we finish up the build out, the collocation company has informed us that the device, such as the APC, are not allowed. Their only suggested solution is to purchase as many circuits as we have plugs to connect. Of course each additional 30 amp circuit will cost us just over $1k/month! All totaled, we'd need an additional 5 circuits between our east and west coast locations, or just over $5k/mo, $60k/yr, versus $1000 one time fee to APC! By definition, collocation companies need to be paranoid about everything. However, when I asked them what is the issue with the APC device they just invoked 'this could cause an overload and potential fire hazard' as their technical position on why this passive, UL listed, device isn't allowed. Can anyone explain their side of the story, citing a bit more technologically based explanation? Phil Reese
From the URL you sent:
Note: The CCPDUs plug directly into the back of Matrix-UPS and should not be used with wall outlets. A grounding issue, maybe? You could just buy the Matrix battery back-ups to use with the CCPDUs, then plug the single cord from the Matrix into the provided socket. Redundant, but it should solve the problem - and shouldn't cost $5K/month, either. Phil Reese wrote:
My company is finishing up the build out of a number of ccTLD DNS and web server data centers in collocation space. We've run into the following issue that I'd be interested in this group's opinion.
Our data centers will have a number of Linux servers running on 110v power, no problem there, just plug into the power strips provided. Then we'll have a couple IBM S80 servers and two trays of disks that both require 208v 30amp and an L6 plug. Now the max rated power of all the devices is well within the two 208/30 circuits we've ordered.
The difficulty is that the collocation company provides a single L6 receptacle per circuit deployed. We'd planned on putting one S80 server and one tray of disks on each of the two circuits. HOWEVER, each box has its own cord and plug, i.e., two plugs. APC, and I'm sure others, make essentially a 208/30amp outlet strip (http://www.apc.com/products/accessories/wiring_ccpdu.cfm , cost between $185-$200) that we'd planned to use.
As we finish up the build out, the collocation company has informed us that the device, such as the APC, are not allowed. Their only suggested solution is to purchase as many circuits as we have plugs to connect. Of course each additional 30 amp circuit will cost us just over $1k/month! All totaled, we'd need an additional 5 circuits between our east and west coast locations, or just over $5k/mo, $60k/yr, versus $1000 one time fee to APC!
By definition, collocation companies need to be paranoid about everything. However, when I asked them what is the issue with the APC device they just invoked 'this could cause an overload and potential fire hazard' as their technical position on why this passive, UL listed, device isn't allowed.
Can anyone explain their side of the story, citing a bit more technologically based explanation?
Phil Reese
-- ------------------------------------------------------------ Roland Dobbins <rdobbins@netmore.net> // 818.535.5024 voice
If your load, including inrush surge, really is below the rating of the circuit, then you should be able to build your own "twofer". Buy a double-deep quad-box, some 10/3 S cord, and the correct sockets and plugs. http://www.leviton.com/sections/prodinfo/receptic/sheets/vomax.htm If you want to be conservative, have a MASTER electrician build them for you. Bob At 06:03 PM 9/21/00 -0700, Roland Dobbins wrote:
From the URL you sent:
Note: The CCPDUs plug directly into the back of Matrix-UPS and should not be used with wall outlets.
A grounding issue, maybe?
You could just buy the Matrix battery back-ups to use with the CCPDUs, then plug the single cord from the Matrix into the provided socket. Redundant, but it should solve the problem - and shouldn't cost $5K/month, either.
Phil Reese wrote:
My company is finishing up the build out of a number of ccTLD DNS and web server data centers in collocation space. We've run into the following issue that I'd be interested in this group's opinion.
Our data centers will have a number of Linux servers running on 110v power, no problem there, just plug into the power strips provided. Then we'll have a couple IBM S80 servers and two trays of disks that both require 208v 30amp and an L6 plug. Now the max rated power of all the devices is well within the two 208/30 circuits we've ordered.
The difficulty is that the collocation company provides a single L6 receptacle per circuit deployed. We'd planned on putting one S80 server and one tray of disks on each of the two circuits. HOWEVER, each box has its own cord and plug, i.e., two plugs. APC, and I'm sure others, make essentially a 208/30amp outlet strip (http://www.apc.com/products/accessories/wiring_ccpdu.cfm , cost between $185-$200) that we'd planned to use.
As we finish up the build out, the collocation company has informed us that the device, such as the APC, are not allowed. Their only suggested solution is to purchase as many circuits as we have plugs to connect. Of course each additional 30 amp circuit will cost us just over $1k/month! All totaled, we'd need an additional 5 circuits between our east and west coast locations, or just over $5k/mo, $60k/yr, versus $1000 one time fee to APC!
By definition, collocation companies need to be paranoid about everything. However, when I asked them what is the issue with the APC device they just invoked 'this could cause an overload and potential fire hazard' as their technical position on why this passive, UL listed, device isn't allowed.
Can anyone explain their side of the story, citing a bit more technologically based explanation?
Phil Reese
-- ------------------------------------------------------------ Roland Dobbins <rdobbins@netmore.net> // 818.535.5024 voice
====================== Robert M. Enger enger@seka.erols.net Work: +1.703.208.5555 Cell: +1.202.256.2222 PGP Key ID: 0x5A815C1F
The issue is not just if such is safe, it's getting them to accept same. You need to find a PE {i.e. a licensed Professional Engineer} willing to sign off on same. Then you have to go fight with the host with such in hand. The PE will cost you, but not that much. Find a local consulting firm {wherever local is...} and start there. One issue -- PE's are liecnsed by states; if you can't find one with licenses in all where your sites are, you may need multiple ones. -- A host is a host from coast to coast.................wb8foz@nrk.com & no one will talk to a host that's close........[v].(301) 56-LINUX Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433 is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433
participants (4)
-
David Lesher -
Phil Reese -
Robert M. Enger -
Roland Dobbins