HARTING provides reliable connectivity solutions for data centres.
The worldwide data centre market is experiencing explosive year-on-year growth as our reliance on remote working, computer apps and the Internet of Things increases at a staggering rate. In addition, the changes to our working lives caused by Covid-19 have meant that businesses and individuals need reliable access to data to allow them to embrace new ways of working. Therefore, as we become more reliant on remote or hybrid working models, it’s essential that data centres run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
One method of improving reliability is by using ‘plug and play’ connectors and pre-assembled cables, which can reduce maintenance time and the overall cost of ownership when compared to hard-wired connections. In addition, field labour is expensive and wiring errors can cause additional costs and downtime. By switching to a HARTING plug and play solution, you can eliminate costly wiring errors and simplify your installations.
The Han-Eco from HARTING is an electrical connector which ensures critical power to data systems via a quick and easy installation process. The Han-Eco system can support either power inserts with a built-in ground for safety, or an unparalleled choice of modular inserts, including data, signal and power options, in a single connector. What’s more, the Han-Eco will integrate into power distribution units of the future, ensuring safer power connection points, space savings and decreased downtimes.
The range is manufactured from high-performance plastic, which complies with IEC 61948 and EN 45545-2 standards, and offers IP65 protection and substantial weight savings compared to traditional metal housings, which makes location mounting easier and safer. Additionally, the hoods and housings are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, thanks to their resistance to environmental impacts.
HARTING also offers connectorised cable assemblies, which distribute power from the data centre’s uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to the Power Distribution Units (PDUs), a streamlined process which reduces costs and improves profitability. These assemblies consist of a cable between one or two connector hoods. Inside the connector is an insert or multiple inserts where the conductors from the cable are terminated. The connector hoods then mate with a matching housing wired to the PDU and/or UPS.
When designers hard-wire the conductors inside the cable, this can cause numerous issues for the data centre operator. Firstly, a costly skilled electrician is needed to disconnect and reconnect a hard-wired PDU. Secondly, if there is an error during this process, which is not uncommon, there are additional costs for troubleshooting, as well as unplanned downtime, resulting in lost revenue.
When using cable assemblies, there is no need to hire an electrician and, since everything is pre-wired and pre-tested, wiring errors are virtually eliminated. In addition to improved installation, cable assemblies also offer benefits during the design and prototype phase and make access for maintenance easier.
HARTING has 40 years’ experience of building cable assemblies and can offer standard or custom cable lengths and a range of plastic or metal housings. All customised products are built at the company’s manufacturing facility in Northampton and are based on market-leading connectors from the extensive HARTING range, including Han-Eco and modular solutions.
HARTING can also support you with thorough in-house testing of cabling and wiring. No matter what the degree of complexity, it has the capacity to produce project-specific assemblies to suit your needs, including installing components, efficiently routing cable harnesses and fabrication. To further assist you, HARTING’s in-house design team can create a 3D CAD visualisation of your build beforehand to ensure absolute accuracy before manufacturing begins.
HARTING’s manufacturing facility holds ISO 9001 certification for Quality Management, the ISO 14001 Environmental Standard and UL certification for Wiring Harnesses ZPFW2 / ZPFW8.
Within data centres, generators are required to provide backup power if the main source is interrupted, for example, in the case of electricity outages. Alongside the aforementioned growth in demand, these systems have contributed to an increase in the amount of energy required to support data centres.
One solution is the sustainable use of renewable energies, such as wind or solar power. However, these renewables can only be harnessed via energy storage modules, as they enable time-delayed, needs-based use of the collected energy.
The new Han S connector range from HARTING makes it easier to connect large arrays of battery storage modules and offers secure connection technology for modular battery storage systems. The compact and flexible housings accommodate contacts for currents up to 200A and 1,500V and bulkhead housings can be flexibly rotated through 360 degrees. The use of connectors also speeds up the construction of energy storage modules, which use lithium-ion cells.
Demand for this method of electricity storage is booming worldwide; according to the Federal Association for Energy Storage, the European market has seen rapid growth in recent years, particularly for home and industrial battery storage. As a result, more and more companies are recognising the huge benefits of storage modules, which include maintaining an uninterruptible power supply and making savings on energy costs by using delayed load usage.
As demand continues to increase, providers of lithium-ion storage systems need to connect a number of cells. The Han S is specially designed to meet this need, providing simple, fast and safe linking of cells for these systems.
The Han S offers users plug-in connections for storage modules while providing maximum safety, since the design meets all technical requirements and is based on the latest UL 4128 standard for stationary energy storage systems. The entire range meets the highest standardisation level required by the international market.
The male contact for the battery module is designed to be finger safe and is equipped with a screw contour with an M8 thread, meaning the contact can be easily installed on the battery module with a socket spanner. The socket contact is crimped onto the cable and then inserted and screwed into the sleeve housing.
These properties are also beneficial for service and maintenance. If a cell in an energy storage module shows a drop in performance, the respective management system can be used to switch it off and have it replaced. To do so, the Han S interfaces of the adjacent modules are simply turned to the locked state to make room for the switch-out. This procedure can be done without interrupting the energy storage functions of the neighbouring modules.
Han S is the first high-current battery connector that meets the relevant UL standards for stationary energy storage systems. Among others, it fulfils the requirements of UL 4128 for connectors in electrochemical battery system applications, UL 1973 for batteries in stationary applications and UL 9540 for energy storage systems and accessories.
HARTING also manufactures numerous solutions for data network cabling, including the ix Industrial connector, which offers significant internal board-to-cable and I/O panel space saving. This allows more ports to be installed in the same space, meaning data centre operators can install smaller server racks, reducing their cable maintenance costs.
For the classic RJ45, the company offers the Ha-VIS preLink RJ45 system, which speeds up and improves the reliability of on-site data network cabling repairs. It can be wired with total safety in one step using HARTING’s preLink crimping tool, ensuring a reliable cabling connection. The termination blocks can also be supplied to custom lengths as pre-assembled single or double-ended patch leads, making them simple to install through existing data centre cable trays or conduits.
To learn more about HARTING’s wide range of connector and cabling solutions for data centres, please visit www.harting.com/UK/en-gb/datacentre-solutions or send an email to [email protected] and one of our experts will contact you.
