Server lift

Server lift and server lifter refers to a class of purpose built lift devices that are suitable for use in cable head end facilities, data centers and server rooms for use in lifting communication devices for installation in data cabinets or racks.

A server lift offers a safer alternative to manual lifting. The U.S. Department Of Labor warns against lifting objects such as telecommunication hardware weighing more than 50 pounds due to the significant increase in risk of injury to employees.

Server lift description

Server lift devices are purpose built for data center operations whereas conventional warehouse lifts lack specific design elements that facilitate needs of data center operations and proper operator safety when installing or uninstalling hardware in a data rack. A server lift consists of a robust frame; typically a “cage” or “tower style” design made of angle iron. The steel cage forms the framework for the lifting platen. The server lift can be rolled across a data center floor on castor-style, conductive rubber wheels. Static discharge can damage sensitive electronic devices. Conductive wheels reduce the risk of electrostatic buildup.

Safety

The importance of safety cannot be understated since data center technicians may need to raise or lower a load that can weigh in excess of 600 pounds. Server lift wheels have a braking mechanism which can be engaged during the lifting process. It is important to note however that operators should not expect sufficient stability during lifts from wheel brakes or a “stabilizer pad” if so equipped. When a heavy load is raised high and shifted there is a danger of the weight overcoming the friction of wheel brakes and stabilizer pads causing equipment to shift and possibly topple. A server lift is outfitted with a pair of ratchet straps that are permanently attached to each side of the lifter with the free end bearing hooks to be used for temporarily connecting and fastening tightly to the data center cabinet. Once fastened the communications device can be safely raised and installed in the rack.

The device to be installed is placed upon the movable platen of the server lift. The platen can be raised or lowered and also moved inward or outward on “slide rails” to facilitate full insertion of the device into the data center rack space. The platen supports the device until it can be bolted to the rack frame. Once the device has been bolted into place the platen is withdrawn from the load by sliding it back into the server lift. With the installation completed the safety straps are disconnected from the rack and the server lift can be rolled away.

Raising or lowering the load is accomplished with the use of a manual or electric lift winch. One end of a steel cable is connected to the winch spool. The other end if the cable is attached to the lift platen. A series of pulleys provide a guided path and facilitate low friction travel for the cable. The auto-locking winch mechanism is an additional safety feature incorporated in the server lift. When using the manual winch cable travel is automatically locked upon release of the crank handle. Electric versions apply a brake to the winch upon release of the up/ down button.

Data center and server room policies generally prohibit the use of any server lifters powered by hydraulics or those that incorporate an oil-immersed winch mechanism. The objective is to prevent the possibility of oil or hydraulic fluid leaking onto the floor and causing slip hazards and also for oil dripping below the tiles deteriorating the under-floor wiring.

Data center aisles are typically 48 inches wide. The server lift “footprint” is approximately two feet square to allow for maneuverability within the aisles. Warehouse lifts or other larger lift tools are not suitable as their size would impede mobility. Data center technicians must have the ability to rotate the server lift 360˚ in the aisle for greatest flexibility and ease of use.

Categories

General Purpose Server Lifts

Most data centers are designed with standard door openings and lift requirements are generally needed up to a height of about 40 RU (Rack Unit). One rack unit is 1 ¾ inches in height. Data center rack cabinets are typically manufactured to 40, 45 and 48 RU. Best practices suggest installing larger, heavier devices at lower levels and smaller ones at the upper levels. Typical lift weights are 200 to 300 pounds although some can exceed 600 pounds. General purpose lifters will pass through standard door openings and lift up to 40RU. Some models have a “medium lifting capacity” of up to 400 pounds and heavier duty models will lift 650 pounds.

Modular data center server lifts

One form of modular data center is a portable system referred to as containerized data centers or portable modular data center. They can be housed in purpose-built modules of standard shipping containers also known as intermodal containers. Examples are HP’s PODs (Performance Optimized Datacenter), the Sun Modular Data Center and the Google Modular Data Center.

Modular data center server lifts are very similar to their standard counterparts with the exception of reduced height. This class of server lift is built to custom heights to accommodate shorter access doors that are typically found on modular data centers.

Battery lifts

In order to provide the highest possible uptime efficiency data centers employ UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) systems to instantly supply electrical energy to computing equipment in the event of a power disruption. The purpose of the UPS is to supply electricity long enough for a diesel generator to start up and begin supplying power. The UPS is powered by backup batteries and in large data or telecommunications centers these can number in the hundreds and some cases thousands. Backup Batteries can weigh hundreds of pounds and require maintenance and periodic replacement. Closely related to a server lift is the battery lift. A battery lift operates similarly to a server lift. Instead of lifting a server to be fastened to a rack, they are used to lift a battery which is slid off the lift table onto a shelf.

Server rack mover

From time to time data center configurations require changes. This requires equipment racks to be relocated. A fully populated server cabinet can weigh as much as 5,000 pounds. The traditional method employed to accomplish this task is to remove all devices from the cabinet until it is empty. The cabinet is then relocated and the devices reinstalled. Dismantling and reassembling a cabinet of communications devices can take several technicians more than a day to complete.

Organizations that need to move data center cabinets more frequently will use a Server Rack Mover instead. This is a purpose built device designed to lift and heavy loads, weighing as much as 5,000 pounds, such as staged server cabinets, battery UPS, and computer room cooling units.

A Server Rack Mover is a battery powered device enabling one technician to move a fully loaded server rack from one location to another. Rack mount lift adapters facilitate lifting for various cabinets from a variety of cabinet manufactures. To distribute the load on raised floors found in data centers, the weight is spread across eight dual castor wheels.

Two Server Rack Mover components are used in tandem – one on each end of the server cabinet. Both units are placed in position and secured to the rack housing using adapter frames. The operator uses an up/down control switch to raise and lower the load. Vertical travel is synchronized by a control cable connecting the two units. The load is raised for transport and the operator then relocates the cabinet by pushing or pulling the load into place. Once the desired position is reached the load is lowered to the floor and the two Server Rack Mover units are removed.