Cable management systems in data centers
Data centers are an essential part of modern society’s functioning, enabling many businesses to operate efficiently and securely. They play a crucial role in storing, managing, and providing access to both data and applications. Data centers themselves are large halls filled with computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems.
Data centers have requirements for building structures and components to ensure operational reliability, safety, and efficiency. The infrastructure must support equipment loads, provide fire protection, and maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels. Building materials and components, such as cable management systems, are carefully selected to minimize risks related to fire safety, contamination, corrosion, and electrical failures. For instance, the use of zinc coated steels is considered carefully in sensitive areas sue to the potential for zinc whisker formation, which can cause short circuits and equipment damage.
Meka Pro’s products in data centers
No matter how tough the requirements are in the data center age, Meka Pro has a solution. Meka Pro thoroughly tests its cable management systems, ensuring that every product undergoes an extensive array of assessments to guarantee safety, durability, and performance in demanding environments such as data centers. These evaluations include mechanical load testing for structural integrity and electrical continuity in accordance with standard IEC 61537. Corrosion resistance is evaluated according to standard EN ISO 12944. covering classes from C1 to CX. All fire-resistant products are tested accordance with standard EN 1631-1, whcih also utilizes the temperature profile described in DIN 4102-2. Through this comprehensive testing regime, Meka Pro delivers reliable and long-lasting solutions for critical infrastructure.
Meka Pro’s pre-galvanized (Sendzimir) products, PG and XPG®, in data centers
As the latest solution for demanding environments, Meka Pro has introduced wire mesh trays coated with a zinc-based special alloy coating, XPG®. Meka Pro’s WMT XPG® is a robust cable tray system designed for corrosion classes up to C4. The zinc-based special alloy coating offers enhanced corrosion resistance and maintains the risk of zinc whisker formation at the same level as pre-galvanized (Sendzimir coated, PG) products.
The risk of zinc whiskers is tiny in cable management systems made of continuously hot-dip galvanized steel in accordance with EN 10346 (Sendzimir coated, PG and XPG), or in products that are bath-galvanized after manufacturing in accordance with EN 1461 (HDG). The pressure that causes zinc to expand and form whiskers is lower in products manufactured by these methods. However, its worth noting that the bath galvanizing after manufacturing may cause another issue. Zinc webs and zinc drips can from around punched holes, along the wires, and in the corners of bath-galvanized products. These zinc webs can detach easily and may cause damage to IT systems in the same way as zinc whiskers. Zinc webs and zinc drips in demanding environments such as data centers can be avoided by choosing XPG® coating, which is based on pre-galvanizing and remains effective up to corrosion category C4.
Products coated by XPG® meet requirements beyond just corrosion protection. The fire safety, mechanical load-carrying capacity and electrical continuity characteristics of XPG® coated components are at the same level as pre-galvanized (Sendzimir coated, PG) products. Additionally, all XPG® coated products can be painted in the desired color if needed.
Meka Pro’s sustainable XPG® product portfolio
Meka Pro offers XPG® coated wire mesh trays, cable ladders, cable trays, lighting tracks, and accessories. This allows for optimised cable management solutions across environments such as hospitals, data centres, and wastewater plants. Designers and facility managers can confidently choose components for fire safety, durability, and corrosion resistance, ensuring quality and reliability while meeting specific sector requirements.
Meka Pro’s products are sustainably made in Finland. Sustainability is an integral part of Meka’s core values. The long-lasting and recyclable products manufactured by Meka reflect the company’s commitment to sustainable use of materials and environmental friendliness. Meka Pro’s future objectives focus particularly on achieving carbon neutrality in its operations, and the progress made so far shows that the direction is the right one. The goal is to achieve carbon neutrality in our own operations by 2030.
Read more about Meka Pro [webpage]
Read more about Meka Pro XPG® surface coating [weblink]
Read more about Meka Pro’s surface treatments [weblink]
Read more about Meka Pro’s fire-resistant cable support systems [webpage]
