Free Exin CDCS Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 2

To reduce Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) emanating from the electrical riser near sensitive IT equipment, three-phase power cabling in a combined cable (such as XLPE) is effective. Combined cabling helps reduce EMF by keeping the conductors tightly packed, which minimizes magnetic fields generated by current flow. Cables like XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) also offer better insulation, which helps mitigate EMF interference with nearby IT equipment.

Detailed Explanation:

Using a combined three-phase cable reduces EMF because the magnetic fields generated by each phase tend to cancel each other out when in close proximity. This arrangement helps reduce the overall magnetic field strength. In addition, XLPE and similar materials provide good insulation, making them a preferred choice for reducing EMF emissions around sensitive equipment.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI data center best practices recommend mitigating EMF interference through combined cabling arrangements, especially near areas where sensitive IT equipment is located. Reducing EMF is crucial to maintaining equipment reliability and ensuring compliance with safety standards.

The cooling capacity of a raised floor tile is primarily influenced by the percentage of surface opening, the obstruction caused by the supporting construction, the pressure under the raised floor, and the damper construction. These factors dictate how much airflow can pass through the tile and how effectively cool air is distributed to the equipment in the data center.

Detailed Explanation:

The percentage of surface opening on a floor tile affects how much air can flow through, with larger openings allowing more airflow. Supporting structures beneath the floor can obstruct airflow, reducing cooling efficiency. Pressure under the raised floor impacts the velocity and volume of air that moves through the tile. Additionally, if dampers are installed, they control the airflow rate, which can be adjusted to meet specific cooling needs for the area.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI guidance on airflow management under raised floors emphasizes these factors as critical for effective cooling, especially in high-density areas. Ensuring unobstructed and adequate airflow helps maintain consistent cooling across equipment.

In computer rooms, replacing a wet pipe system with a pre-action system is advisable. Pre-action systems provide additional protection by requiring two triggers (e.g., heat and smoke) before water is released, minimizing the risk of accidental discharge and water damage, which is crucial for safeguarding sensitive IT equipment.

Detailed Explanation:

Wet pipe systems contain water in the pipes at all times, which poses a higher risk of accidental discharge. Pre-action systems, however, only fill the pipes with water upon detection of a fire, reducing the risk of water-related damage due to leaks or malfunctions. This approach is considered best practice for environments housing sensitive electronic equipment.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI advises using pre-action fire suppression in data centers to reduce risks associated with accidental water release, providing a safer and more controlled fire response that better protects critical infrastructure.

Electromagnetic fields are generated by current-carrying conductors. To minimize stray EMF, phase conductors should be physically close and balanced. A three-phase combined cable (all phase conductors and neutral in one sheath) ensures magnetic fields cancel each other due to phase opposition.

If phases are run separately (answer B), the separation increases loop area and magnetic field leakage. Single-phase cabling (A) is even worse because current does not balance across three phases. Bus bar trunking (C) provides physical support but often separates conductors, which may worsen EMF if not specifically shielded.

Therefore, the correct solution is three-phase combined cable (often XLPE-insulated). This design reduces EMF impact to within ANSI/TIA-942 and IEEE recommendations.

A 6-pulse thyristor rectifier typically produces 25–35% THDi at nominal load. To reach ≤3% THDi, an active harmonic filter (or a 12/18-pulse or IGBT rectifier UPS) is required. Passive filters are load-specific and less effective over a wide operating range—undesirable with frequent changes.

Blast protection should be considered if the data center or its location is a potential target or is near high-risk areas. Blast protection measures can protect both personnel and infrastructure from potential explosion impacts, which could be essential in areas with heightened security risks.

Detailed Explanation:

In areas where there may be risks of terrorist attacks or explosions due to nearby high-risk facilities, implementing blast protection measures helps safeguard the data center's infrastructure. These measures can include reinforced walls, blast-resistant windows, and secure entryways designed to withstand explosive forces.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

While not specifically mandated by ANSI/TIA-942, EPI training advises considering local risk factors, including proximity to potential targets, when evaluating the need for blast protection. This approach is aligned with risk assessment and mitigation practices to ensure facility security.

To determine the charging current for a battery bank, a general rule of thumb is that the charging current should be 5% of the total battery capacity. For a battery rated at 600 Ah, this calculation would be:

600 Ah×0.05=30 Amperes600 \, \text{Ah} \times 0.05 = 30 \, \text{Amperes}600Ah×0.05=30Amperes

This ensures the battery is charged efficiently without overloading the rectifier or risking battery damage.

Detailed Explanation:

Battery charging current is typically set as a percentage of the battery's capacity to balance effective charging with longevity and safety. A 5% charging rate is standard for lead-acid batteries, which would be 30 Amperes for a 600 Ah battery bank.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI standards recommend calculating charging currents based on a percentage of the battery capacity to ensure safety and efficiency, aligning with best practices for battery management in data centers.

A Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.20 (achieved by Data Center B) indicates the highest facility efficiency among the three data centers. A lower PUE value signifies better energy efficiency, as it means that a greater proportion of the total energy consumed is used directly for IT equipment rather than for cooling, lighting, or other facility needs.

Detailed Explanation:

PUE is calculated as the ratio of total facility energy to IT equipment energy. A PUE close to 1.0 suggests that almost all the energy is dedicated to computing processes, with minimal overhead. With PUE values of 2.45, 1.20, and 1.90, Data Center B (1.20) operates most efficiently by devoting a higher percentage of its total energy to IT equipment.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

The EPI curriculum emphasizes PUE as a key metric for data center efficiency, with lower values representing better performance. Achieving a PUE near 1.0 aligns with industry best practices for energy-efficient data center design and operation.

The correct formula for calculating Phase-to-Neutral Voltage in a three-phase power system is Phase-to-Neutral Voltage = Phase-to-Phase Voltage / 1.732. This formula applies to balanced three-phase systems, where 1.732 (or √3) represents the relationship between line-to-line and line-to-neutral voltages.

Detailed Explanation:

In three-phase systems, Phase-to-Phase Voltage is higher than Phase-to-Neutral Voltage by a factor of √3. Dividing the phase-to-phase voltage by 1.732 gives the phase-to-neutral voltage, which is critical for understanding power distribution in three-phase electrical systems commonly found in data centers.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI electrical training highlights the importance of knowing these calculations for designing and maintaining balanced power systems, which are essential for stable and efficient data center operations.

A spirit level bar should not be used for leveling a raised floor, as measurement errors are likely to propagate from one pedestal to the next. Spirit levels can introduce cumulative errors, leading to uneven floors, particularly in large installations where precise leveling is critical.

Detailed Explanation:

Using a laser level or a precision leveling device is recommended to ensure accuracy across all floor tiles. Spirit levels, while adequate for short spans, can transfer small inaccuracies from one pedestal to another, which can cause alignment issues and floor instability over time.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI data center guidelines discourage the use of spirit levels for raised floors. Instead, they advocate for precision tools like laser levels that ensure consistency and accuracy in large-scale installations, aligning with best practices for raised floor construction.