De-risking power cable specification for UK data centres
Once grid power has been secured for a project, any generic cable specification needs to be interpreted to ensure compliance with local standards as well as ensuring the data centre’s interoperability and reliability.
When generic specifications are not enough
Generic data centre electrical specifications are inevitably written to be broad enough to accommodate a range of use cases while being detailed enough to ensure the electrical infrastructure is resilient. The choice of cable brand / type will usually be left to the consultant or contractor responsible for the specific project.
A data centre will typically take power from the utility grid at high voltage and then distribute it to the IT equipment at a lower voltage. It is the low voltage (LV) cables that form the backbone of a data centre's power infrastructure. LV Cables, rated up to 1,000 volts, distribute power to all the critical components, including server racks, lighting, and cooling systems.
Of course, data centres are not typical commercial installations. High uptime expectations in these mission-critical environments place extraordinary demands on the power infrastructure. All it takes is one circuit failure for questions to be asked of the consultant and installation contractor and their choice of low voltage cable brand.
UK Standards for UK installations
Integrity and reliability of the LV cable backbone is essential in safeguarding data centre operations, which is why armoured cables are often specified in the UK. Armoured cables provide the ideal solution for any LV electrical circuit where the risk of physical damage could compromise a system’s operation. For UK installations, the relevant technical compliance required is BS 6724 which includes a requirement for low smoke in a fire.
The choice of LV cable will determine its:
Build quality
Long-term reliability
Cost
Compliance
However, a design consultant will often only produce a performance specification. It then becomes the responsibility of the cable installer to select the brand of cable to be used, but certified BS 6724 compliant armoured cables are not all the same.
In a data centre environment, where performance is paramount and downtime unacceptable, there is an argument that says the cable brand should be a fundamental element of the design specification and the contractor’s purchasing decision rather than leaving anything to chance.
Not all cables are the same
Not all cables are the same. BS 6724 certification demonstrates the performance, reliability and quality of thermosetting insulated copper-core electric cables, wherever they are manufactured.
However, true assurance only comes when there is complete confidence in:
The material quality
Consistency of a manufacturing operation
Technical expertise to support local market requirements
Such consistency needs robust and fully implemented quality control across all manufacturing sites, centrally controlled and rigorously enforced by the manufacturer.
Local sourcing for transparent supply chain
Prysmian is a leading UK cable manufacturer of highly engineered low voltage armoured cables, backed by the resources of its global operations. The company has been manufacturing its high-quality low voltage cable in the UK for over 100 years. It is unmatched in its manufacturing capabilities and use of advanced production techniques and high-quality components.
Manufacturing LV armoured cables in the UK gives the supply chain:
Complete transparency
Reduces the greenhouse gas emissions associated with international deliveries
Contributes to the sustainability advantages of local Prysmian cable products
As a global manufacturer of cables with a UK presence, Prysmian is well positioned to provide comprehensive informed advice. Electrical consultants and contractors are not materials experts, nor should they be. However, working with Prysmian enables designers and installers to capitalise on the organisation’s technical expertise to provide bespoke advice on cable specification.
All the LV armoured cable manufactured by Prysmian meets or exceeds industry standards for reliability and performance. Specifying Prysmian branded low voltage cable for a mission critical data centre will make quality assurance straightforward while ensuring consistency across phases of a project. Similarly, using Prysmian branded LV cable throughout a scheme will also simplify warranty support issues.
In the context of the fast-paced, mission critical world of data centre construction, the brand of low voltage power cable installed might at first appear a minor decision, but it could have far-reaching implications for a data centre's performance, compliance, and even risk. Consultants and contractors have an opportunity—and even the responsibility—to impact this critical decision.
Leaving brand choice open will invite value engineering and prioritise cost over quality, jeopardising the LV design and installation integrity. When downtime is simply not an option, the lowest risk solution is to specify a brand with the credentials to merit complete trust.