[AusNOG] Electrical Safety in Data Centres

[Jared Hirst]

We recently had this issue in one of our facilities. It was all cleared and
good because of Work Cover.

Basically this is from our facilities Manager

"Document page 103, PDF page 106
Clause 2.6.3.2.1
Exception 6

So each socket needs a label saying "not RCD protected" (or a giant sign on
the door saying all sockets aren't)

Our case (eg datacentres) is that RCDs have to be tested at least 6 monthly
that would effect the installation as it would cut power to the equipment
and thus effect the business as a whole.

There is no adverse risk as this equipment is for a specific purpose and
not a general purpose outlet (eg no normal power points on the circuits
that a cleaner could connect a vacuum cleaner to). It is also one to one
(one socket to one breaker) so no additional points on the circuit.
And that all cabling is double insulated, not designed to be handheld or
moved. We also have "competent persons" only allowed in the room who are
inducted (yes, its covered in the induction manuals) in how the DC works
and are fully aware of the dangers.

So that's the wiring rules, now to workcover

Workcover states that only certain devices need it
http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/health-and-safety/industry-safety/electrical-and-power/residual-current-devices

This gets a bit more detailed
http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/health-and-safety/industry-safety/electrical-and-power/electrical-safety
​"​
​

​We then had Signs made for the doors, Happy to send them to you if you
want them, they conform to Work Cover standards :)​


On Tue, Jun 21, 2016 at 7:13 PM, John Edwards <jaedwards at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Brad,
>
> You can apply to the governing body in your datacenter's State (i.e.:
> WorkSafe) for an exemption to the RCD requirement on new installations.
>
> Usually they will require:
> - that any unprotected electrical termination is inside a grounded
> enclosure (ie: a rack)
> - suitable warning signs need to be posted (i.e.: on entry or at each
> termination)
> - that GPO's/Pendants still require RCD
>
> Responsible sparkies working on the site are going to want to see
> documentary evidence of this exemption.
>
> It couldn't hurt to have appropriate training in your site induction
> either.
>
> John
>
>
>
> On 21 June 2016 at 18:29, Brad Peczka <brad at bradpeczka.com> wrote:
>
>> Hello All,
>>
>> For those on list who run data centres, either in house or as a
>> commercial operation like NextDC/Metronode - can anyone shed some light on
>> the requirements (or lack thereof) for RCD protection within a Data Centre?
>>
>> My experience in the past has been that, where PDUs are connected via 32A
>> sockets or similar, RCDs are not required. That being said, an interesting
>> presentation a few years back from the folks at CITEC (
>> http://www.server-racks-australia.com.au/News_articles/Residual%20Current%20Protection%20in%20the%20Data%20Centre%20DM.pdf)
>> would seem to indicate that this is not the case, and that their
>> interpretation of AS3000:2007 requires RCDs to be fitted to or upstream
>> from PDUs. The installation of emergency stops for facility power also
>> seems to be very hit and miss, and varies depending on when/where and who.
>>
>> I'm curious to know if this is a common view and, if not, how others are
>> handling electrical safety within Data Centres/Comms Rooms/Server Rooms.
>>
>> Regards,
>> -Brad.
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>> AusNOG at lists.ausnog.net
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>>
>
>
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