Supporting Effective Cable Management in Data Centres

Cable management is one of the most critical aspects in the design and operation of modern data centres. Properly designed and installed, using high quality, high performance components, an effective cable management system will make a significant contribution towards the efficiency, reliability and uptime of data centre operations.

Data centres contain thousands of network, power and fibre cables which intersect to convey data and power to the centre’s servers, switches and storage arrays as well as its overall power infrastructure, alarm and fire safety systems.

The way in which cables are organised and supported can have a direct impact on the performance, cooling, maintenance, safety and operational costs of every data centre: poorly routed cables can block cold-aisle/hot aisle airflow, leading to inefficient cooling and the potential for hotspots; tangled cables or disorganised systems can make it difficult to identify and resolve issues during maintenance of fault diagnosis; bent, stressed or unsupported cables are more likely to fail or degrade; loose cabling can obstruct access routes or pose fire risks.

Data centre location – many data centres are located in coastal areas to take advantage of the availability of sea water for cooling. Components in such facilities need to provide enhanced resistance to corrosion through the materials from which they are manufactured and/or the finishes that are applied to them.

Siting of systems – similarly to the above, externally sited cable management systems will also need to be manufactured in such a way as to enhance corrosion resistance.

Environmental impact – increasingly, data centre operators are seeking low carbon solutions in the design and construction of facilities. Selecting reduced carbon components, both in the materials from which they are manufactured and the systems used in their manufacture, can help to reduce a building’s carbon footprint.

Cable Management Systems for Data Centres

Once the cable management system’s requirements and design have been finalised, early engagement with a system manufacturer can reap huge benefits, ensuring that the most appropriate components are specified and their arrangement is designed to optimise installation and operational efficiency, whilst minimising costs.

Metsec Cable Management is the only company to achieve accreditation to the BSI Kitemark for Cable Management, providing a wide range of products critical to the safe and efficient routing of cables in the modern IT world.

Engineered to optimise airflow and deliver reliable performance in complex, high density environments, the company’s comprehensive ranges of ladders, trays, trunking and framing systems, together with associated accessories and bracketry, offer virtually everything the specifier and installer requires for the successful creation of efficient data cable management in any project., whether floor standing or mounted.

With a wealth of design and application experience, Metsec Cable Management also offers a bespoke design and manufacture service, together with fabrication, to cater for specialised requirements.

SS – Stainless steel grade 1.4404 (316L), manufactured to BS EN 10088‑1 and BS EN 10088‑2, delivers exceptional corrosion resistance thanks to its low‑carbon composition and added molybdenum. This makes it the material of choice for highly aggressive environments, including coastal, marine, chemical, and industrial settings where exposure to salt, chemicals, or extreme conditions is unavoidable. Its durability, strength, and long‑term resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion ensure reliable performance in the most demanding applications.

ZM – Zinc Magnesium grade ZM310 provides a quantum leap in terms of corrosion protection when compared to a PG (pre galvanised) finish. It can be used for internal and external applications, possesses self-healing properties and delivers both improved cost benefits and a reduced carbon footprint when compared with traditional HDG (Hot Dip Galvanised).

Reducing Environmental Impact

As with most other industries, the construction industry is coming under increasing pressure to minimise its impact on the environment and many of these requirements are now enshrined within planning regulations.

Designers, developers and operators need to ensure that projects meet these new requirements, in particular with regards to the drive towards net zero carbon, which has an impact on operations, materials used in manufacture and the materials suppliers themselves.

From a materials perspective, Metsec Cable Management offers components manufactured from Metsec Decarb, a reduced carbon steel which utilises the very latest steel making technology and helps reduce the carbon footprint of the project, delivering an impressive 63% reduction in carbon content compared to conventional steel.

 Further assurance of Metsec’s environmental integrity can be taken from the company’s commitment to achieving Net Zero Carbon operations by 2035 as well as its zero-waste-to-landfill, responsible sourcing and material efficiency practices.

Environmental Product Declarations are available for all products in Metsec Cable Management’s range and can be supplied on a project-specific basis, providing documentary evidence which can be included in a project’s environmental impact statements.

A Complete Package

With international experience on multi-million-pound projects, Metsec Cable Management offers a complete package when it comes to cable management in data centres, from design advice, through manufacture and fabrication to final delivery of systems which are ready for immediate installation.

With distribution organised through a network of approved distributors, ready availability of standard components is assured, ensuring that projects progress smoothly with minimal likelihood of disruption to the supply chain and the ability to cope with unforeseen requirements on site.

Gary Cutler, Sales Director at Metsec Cable Management, states, “We believe that we can offer the designer and installer an answer to virtually every cable management requirement. Our comprehensive range of high-quality components delivers outstanding versatility, whilst our ability to produce bespoke products and fabricate systems means that any potential gap in requirements can be satisfied.

“All of this is supported by a plethora of technical accreditations together with expert technical advice at every stage of the project, from design to product selection and installation, providing total assurance that the system will meet all requirements in effectiveness and efficiency.”

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