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Slide 1: Temp and Humidity Sensor: Safety Measures For The Data Center The business world has expressed the need for a faster, better modes of communication of data and information across its entire network. Whether you are a small enterprise or a large conglomerate, in today’s business environment everyone depends on data centers and telecommunication infrastructure for data transfer. However, temperature and humidity acts as a major threat to the safety and security of the data center. A range of issues are lurking in these data centers that are filled with large racks of telecommunication and networking devices and data storage equipment. A hygrometer was used in the early days to measure the moisture content or humidity based on measurement of temperature or pressure. Later, electronic devices used temperature of condensation, changes in electrical capacitance, or resistance, to measure humidity changes. Temperature and humidity monitoring has been operational in server rooms for a long time, but the need now arises for real-time alerts to prepare IT personnel to immediately face the potentially disastrous fluctuations of temperature. Humidity, as well as temperature, needs to be kept at the right levels to ensure that the computer components are running without fail. Too much heat and moisture leads to system failure. Present-day data centers have aircooling units in a raised-floor environment and overhead coolers or units nestled in a row of server racks that display a relative humidity reading. These readings are adjustable by the data center managers. Technological development has led to the development of USB compatible, Wi-Fi enabled and cellular-based temperature and humidity monitors. Each of these high performance devices features its own benefits. The Cellular edition of temperature and humidity monitors reads the ambient temperature and sends alerts via email, telephone and text message when the temperature rises or falls beyond the acceptable range. Connected to an electrical outlet, the temperature sensor has an accuracy of ±0.5°C and reports temperatures from -40°F to +200°F. The optional humidity sensor operates from 10% to 90%RH within ±3%RH. With about the same accuracy level, the USB edition is a low-cost device which connects to the PC via an available USB port and runs as a windows service. The Wi-Fi edition of the temp and humidity sensor can be configured with one or two temperatures or combined temperature humidity sensors for applications requiring monitoring of more than one area. An AC wall adaptor powers this wireless device. The Real time graphing and XML support are the tools which help integrate temperature readings into websites and other third party applications. Additionally, there are also batteryoperated sensors available that monitor temperature and humidity. The decision on the type of temperature and humidity sensors required, and the number needed to be installed, are all dependent on the temperature, IT equipment and other factors. The higher the humidity, the greater the latent cooling load, resulting in more energy spent to cool and humidify the data center. Ideally, the best combination would be one that reduces energy consumption. Click here for more on temperature sensors & smoke sensors