A project engineering firm required a robust solution for performing positive pressure tests within a critical data center facility. The application demanded precise measurement of very low-pressure differentials to ensure environmental integrity and prevent contamination of sensitive electronic equipment. The key challenge was to reliably verify that pressure levels were maintained above specific minimum thresholds relative to adjacent rooms and the outside environment.
- Application: Data Center Positive Pressure Testing
- Challenge: Measuring pressure differences of ≥5 Pa between rooms and ≥10 Pa between indoor and outdoor.
- Solution: PrimAtü 10 Differential Pressure Transducer
- Key Features: Low 0-30 Pa range, integrated local display, 0-10V analog output for BMS.
Maintaining a controlled environment is paramount in data center operations to protect sensitive servers and networking hardware from airborne contaminants like dust. A specialist engineering firm was tasked with commissioning a data center and needed to perform positive pressure testing to validate the performance of the HVAC system. The test specification required demonstrating that the main equipment room was held at a positive pressure of at least 5 Pascals (Pa) relative to adjacent corridors and other rooms, and at least 10 Pa relative to the static pressure outdoors. This small but critical pressure gradient ensures that air always flows out of the clean space, preventing the ingress of contaminants. The firm required an instrument that could accurately measure these very low pressures and provide clear, obtainable values for their commissioning reports.
The proposed solution was the PrimAtü 10 series differential pressure transducer, an instrument specifically designed for applications such as cleanroom technology and HVAC control. The core of the device is a piezoresistive silicon sensor that converts the detected pressure difference into a proportional output signal, offering high reliability for monitoring non-aggressive gases like air. For this data center application, a unit with a measurement range of 0 to 30 Pa was selected. This low range provides excellent sensitivity and resolution for confidently verifying the 5 Pa and 10 Pa thresholds. To facilitate simple on-site readings, the transducer was specified with the optional integrated 4-digit LCD display, allowing technicians to see the live pressure differential in real-time without needing any external test equipment.
In practice, the installation is straightforward. The transducer, powered by a standard 24V DC supply, is mounted on a wall or DIN rail. Tubing is then connected from the two pressure ports on the device to the respective measurement locations. For checking the room-to-corridor differential, one tube is fed into the data center equipment room while the other is placed in the adjacent corridor. The display on the PrimAtü 10 then shows the resulting pressure difference, providing instant verification of the positive pressure status. The same process is repeated for the indoor-to-outdoor measurement.
Beyond immediate visual confirmation, the transducer was equipped with a 0-10V DC analog output signal. This feature provides a significant advantage for long-term monitoring, allowing the pressure data to be seamlessly integrated into the facility’s central Building Management System (BMS). This enables continuous logging of pressure levels, automated alarm generation if the differential drops below the specified minimum, and a comprehensive audit trail for compliance. The instrument also includes simple push-buttons for on-site zero point and amplitude adjustment, ensuring that accuracy can be maintained throughout the life of the installation. The combination of a highly sensitive low-pressure measurement capability, a clear local display for spot checks, and a standard analog output for system integration made the PrimAtü 10 an ideal fit for the rigorous demands of data center environmental control.
PrimAtü 10 Low Range Differential Pressure Transducer
- Pressure Range: 0 to 30 Pa
- Range Type: Unidirectional (0 to +P)
- Output Signal: 0-10V dc
- Overall Accuracy: 2% FS
- Electrical Connection: Cable glands with internal screw terminals
- Process Connection: 6.6mm dia x 10mm barbed connections
- Media Compatibility: Non aggressive gases compatible with Ni, Al, CuBe, PU, silicon rubber
- Optional Extras: Integrated LC-display, 4 digit