What is Computer Room Air Conditioning Unit (CRAC)?

CRAC units, or computer room air conditioning units, are cooling units specifically designed to cool and regulate the temperature and humidity in a computer room or data center. As the equipment in your computer room becomes more complex and compact, computer rooms are watching their power draw and heat generation quickly rise. The increase in computer room power consumption, density, and heat generation requires a more exact approach to a computer or IT room air conditioning design than ever before. CRAC units are specifically engineered to provide precise temperature and humidity control to protect sensitive equipment from overheating or damage.

Unlike traditional air conditioning units, CRAC systems have advanced air filtration, humidity control mechanisms, and high airflow rates to ensure optimal performance and reliability. CRAC units work by using a refrigeration cycle where air is blown over a cooling coil filled with refrigerant. The refrigerant is kept cold by a compressor, and excess heat is expelled as air, water, or a glycol mixture. Cool air is dispensed through an elevated floor, forming cold aisles that move through the racks. The air picks up heat, forming hot aisles at the rear of the racks, and then returns to the CRAC intakes above the floor.

CRAC units are essential for regulating temperature and humidity in computer rooms and data centers to prevent damage to electronics and system failures. They can maintain a set temperature, air distribution, and humidity level and have better air filtration, humidity control mechanisms, and higher airflow than typical air conditioning systems. By comparison, CRAC systems have better air filtration, better humidity control mechanisms, and higher airflow than typical AC systems.

CRAC units help prevent low humidity and water vapor buildup, which can cause damage to electronics, static electricity buildup, short circuits, and equipment corrosion. Our company is a CRAC provider that specializes in providing turnkey solutions for data centers and other critical infrastructure, including a range of CRAC units designed specifically for use in these environments.