APC Offers $150,000 'Thermal Guarantee'

American Power Conversion (APCC) this week said it will provide up to $150,000 to repair or replace equipment in certified APC installations that are damaged by a "thermal event," an increasing risk given the growing numbers of high density data center environments.

"There are many confusing and conflicting claims about the right approach to data center power and cooling, and this latest certification continues our history of providing not only innovative technology, but also maximum clarity and peace of mind to our customers," said Aaron L. Davis, chief marketing officer at APC. "With APC's new Thermal Guarantee, customers can rest assured that their hardware is protected by APC if damage results from a thermal event."

APC's Thermal Guarantee Equipment Protection program is open to customers who deploy the company's InfraStruXure Hot-Aisle Containment System and its Rack Air Containment System in new or existing environments and have their project certificed by APC. To enable Thermal Guarantee certification at a customer site, a team of certified APC professionals design a customized plan for each customer, including an initial analysis, design, comprehensive post-implementation monitoring, and periodic review and preventive maintenance.

Kevin Dunlap, APC's Director of Cooling Solutions, said the offer reflects the increased expense seen with blade server racks and cabinets, in which a larger number of servers can be damaged from a thermal event in a single rack. "There's a tremendous amount of investment in these racks," said Dunlap, who added that APC is offering the program because "we're so confident about our architecture."

APC's InfraStruXure Hot-Aisle Containment System and its Air Rack Containment System use an exclusive InRow design that focuses on eliminating hot spots by preventing hot air recirculation into sensitive IT equipment. APC's Thermal Guarantee Equipment Protection Program is currently available in North America.