North Building Technologies

North products are uniquely suited to providing comprehensive Data Centre management. Our management and monitoring systems improve Business continuity and allow a single user interface to control and monitor multiple building services, from HVAC and plant control to power continuity and energy usage monitoring and targeting. We also provide intelligent solutions for Door access and interfaces for fire detection and suppressions systems.

In fact there is a quite a list of services covered by North's DCM products:

• Integration to UPS systems for detailed monitoring and critical alarm management.
• Integration with Generators to monitor run status, fuel levels and critical alarm management.
• Full integration with CRAC units, to offer control and alarm management along with planned maintenance scheduling.
• PDU monitoring, with advanced load management tools to best identify branch circuits with spare capacity when allocating server space.
• Permit to work management with full integration of door access systems and automated user time outs.
• Technical on site and lone worker monitoring, with integration to lighting systems for energy and safety management.
• Web enabled access with full graphical user interface to all services through simple Web pages.
• Alarm routing via email, SMS, SNMP and proprietary secure protocols - making sure the right person receives the right alarm

By connecting building services devices to a North Integrator or Commander, all of the data from each connected system can be viewed and even adjusted via the internet or intranet. The example below shows devices such as Fire detection, Intruder, power and Air conditioning systems all connected to an Integrator. The diagram also shows sensors and inputs connected to a Commander Device. Integrators and Commanders can be "mixed and matched" to provide a perfectly scaled solution for your data centre.

Graphical Web Interface

All of North's data centre management Products have ObSys 2.0 at their core. Obsys 2.0 is embedded in Integrator, a lower powered version of ObSys 2.0 is embedded into Commander. ObSys 2.0 has a powerful WebServer called WebView, which will provide a full graphical user interface for your site. Including plant schematic’s, floor plans, live (adjustable) data points, alarm handling features, calendar/timer adjustments and data logging. For a full demo of WebView please see our online demonstration at: webview.northbt.com. The user name is "Guest" no password is required.

UPS monitoring

North support full data level integration to a wide range of UPS systems, for a full list see here. By way of example the list below are points available from an APC UPS via our Modbus interface:

• Operating Mode - off or on, on battery or on mains etc
• Battery Low Alarm
• Line Voltage
• Line Voltage Max
• Line Voltage Min
• Output Voltage
• Operating Frequency
• Load Power
• Internal Temperature
• Transfer Cause
• Battery Voltage
• Battery Nominal Voltage
• Battery Capacity (%)
• RunTime Remaining
• Battery Replace
• Battery Low
• Battery Pack Count
• Overloaded Output
• Line Quality Unacceptable
• Test Battery
• Battery Test Results
• Simulate Power Fail
• Test Lights
• Calibrate RunTime
• UPS Type R
• UPS Label
• UPS Serial Number
• UPS Manufacture Date

All data points can be monitored and alarms generated on any given change of state. Also data can be logged and viewed graphically in the web browser or via ObSys plug-ins such as Data Manager.

PDU and Branch Circuit monitoring

Power Distribution Units are often difficult to monitor due to lack of space for Current transformers and the number of possible points that could be monitored. North's ZiP Modules in conjunction with our small form Split core CT's can provide a costs effective solution that is often very easy to retrofit.

North's Current Transducers are very cost effective and can be used to monitor every branch from the PDU. This means that in a data centre you could have a graphic which shows the loading on each rack, thus allowing you to quickly and safely identify where there is capacity to install new servers or equipment without risking overloading the power supplies up the chain. As you can see, the CT's are split-core, and can therefore be retrofitted at low risk and low cost. Live graphics pages show branch circuit data in a very simple to understand capacity graphic. See example page:

Computer Room Air conditioning (CRAC) monitoring

North's DCM solutions can integrate to almost all CRAC units available today. Manufacturers such as Stulz, Hiross, Carrier, Liebert, Denco, Uniflair, RC and Airdale are all able to fully integrate with the North DCM solution. Typically information available from an CRAC unit integration would include but not be limited to:

• Return Air Temp and hum
• Supply Air Temp and hum
• Extensive fault information, including filter status, water detection and sensor failures
• Temp and Hum set point (adjustable)
• Unit On/Off
• Compressor statuses

This is a small sample of the data that can be read from some CRAC Units, by way of example please see here for a full list of points available from a Stulz Air conditioning units via Modbus Interface Board.

Generator monitoring

Many generators are supplied with intelligent controllers installed. North's DCM system can communicate with these units to give the user a rich set of data from the generator. Typically information available from Generator integration would include but not be limited to:

• Generator running/stopped
• High or low fuel level
• Time to next maintenance
• mains voltage on each phase
• General maintenance alarms such as battery condition, coolant temp, oil pressure etc.
• General Failed to start alarm

This is a very small sample of the data that can be read from some Generators, by way of example please see here for a full list of points available from a Deep Sea generator controller.

VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) and Fire detection

North products are compatible with VESDA equipment and can report live values and alarms via our standard alarm delivery methods, including email and GSM SMS messages. Compatible systems are listed here.

FM200

Normally fire suppression system are connected via simple Volt Fre contact into one of our Zip IO modules.

Door access and permit to work solution

North's ZIP 7101a module is a low cost door controller that works in conjunction with North's Integrator product.

It is possible to add and delete users remotely via secure web browser interface; it is also possible to have access cards automatically time out. This is especially useful for remote cabin sites, where you might want to have the site totally locked down and only allow access to engineers on a "permit to work" basis.

By having readers on both sides of the door it is possible to determine the number of occupants of any given room and to carry out Time and Attendance analysis. The system can also be used to work as a lone worker safety system, whereby an alarm is raised if the worker does not swipe their card every 15 minutes. An audible reminder alerts the lone worker to swipe their card and therefore cancel the 15 minute alarm.

Lighting Control

Control of lighting can be achieved via intelligent interface to a third party intelligent lighting system, or via North’s Zip IO modules. It is possible to use signals from the intruder detection system to control lighting in rooms that are not frequently used.The north system could monitor the status of the intruder system's PIR to cxontrol lighting on an occupancy basis. When the intruder system is armed all of the lights can be automatically turned off.

More information

If you are a data centre owner or manager please contact one of our re-sellers. If you are a potential value added re-seller of North data centre solutions please feel free to contact us directly.

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