Air Guards FAQ's

AirGuard

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

 

How does AirGuard help Data Center’s save money?

How effective are AirGuard at eliminating bypass airflow?

Which is better, brush grommets or “rubber” gasket grommets?

How do grommets protect computer equipment?

Are AirGuard safety covers important?

Why are AirGuards constructed of ABS polycarbonate material?

What are the benefits of the removable brushes in the AirGuard Flush Mount and Brat?

I need a retrofit solution for odd shaped and sized cutouts.

Does AirGuard come with installation instructions and mounting hardware?

Does AirGuard offer a warranty?

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How does AirGuard help Data Center’s save money?

Data centers are energy intensive, consuming up to 40 times the energy of a conventional office building.  A significant portion of any data center’s energy consumption is in the CRAC (computer room air conditioning) units.  Yet it has been estimated that only 40% of a cooling systems cold air goes directly to cool servers.  A key problem affecting air management is when cooled air circulates back to air conditioning units through openings in raised floors such as cable openings or misplaced floor tiles with openings. 

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How effective are AirGuard at eliminating bypass airflow?

Research has shown that AirGuard Cable Seal grommets reduce bypass airflow by as much as 96% compared to a typical “open hole”.  The addition of the AirGuard Cable Seal grommets resulted in a reduced overall temperature of an operating data center by 8 degrees Celsius (nearly 15 degrees Fahrenheit). 

 

A well designed air distribution system can reduce energy consumption, reduce investment in CRAC equipment, allow for increased equipment utilization, and improve reliability by reducing processing interruptions or equipment failure due to overheating. 

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Which is better, brush grommets or “rubber” gasket grommets?

While both the brush grommets and EPDM “rubber” gasket grommets perform exceptionally well in preventing air flow bypass, the most energy efficient grommet incorporates both the brush and rubber gasket technologies, these are the Extreme, 5" Round and Brat units.  While the Extreme is a top choice for new construction where a larger opening is desired, the 5" round is popular where only data cables or power cables are being pulled through a cable cutout.  Filling holes in floors with cables already pulled, might be best left to the Brat, Flush Mount or Surface Mount units.  

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How do grommets protect computer equipment?

The overlapping brushes prevent passage of debris and contaminates from entering the air plenum system and causing damage to sensitive electronic equipment.  

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Are AirGuard safety covers important?

The safety cover removes any worry about accidental injury when grommets are installed but left unattended. 

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Why are AirGuards constructed of ABS polycarbonate material?

The ABS polycarbonate construction of the AirGuard and safety covers is flame retardant and provides a safe continuous slip resistant solid surface when cables are not pulled through openings.  NFPA 75 5.4.2 requires that flooring material in a raised floor data center meet NASI/UL 723 flame srpead index of 25 or less.  AirGuard's UL 94 VO rated construction meets the NFPA 75 standard.  

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What are the benefits of the removable brushes in the AirGuard Flush Mount and Brat? 

The removable brush feature allows for easy removal of floor panels without disconnecting cables.  This feature also allows larger connectors to pass through the grommet without the need for an oversized cutout.  

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 I need a retrofit solution for odd shaped and sized cutouts.

The best retrofit solution for odd shaped and sized cutouts is the AirGuard Surface Mount.  Its two piece construction allows for a quick retrofit around existing cables without the need to disconnect cables.  Simply remove the adhesive tape from the underside of the Surface Mount, position the two sides around the existing cables, and press in place and finish with the included mounting screws. 

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Does AirGuard come with installation instructions and mounting hardware?

Yes, each AirGuard Cable Seal grommet comes complete with mounting hardware and installation instructions for quick and easy installation.

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Does AirGuard offer a warranty?

PDU Cables, Inc. provides a lifetime warranty for all Air-Guard products purchased through PDU Cables, and warrants that each product is free from defects in quality and workmanship from the date of original pruchase.  If any AirGuard product should fail because of a manufacturing defect, PDU Cables will repair or replace the product free of charge, provided that the product has not been subjected to abuse, misuse, accident, disaster or non-authorized modification or repair.

For more information contact your regional sales manager. 

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