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What type of heal does ICT equipment generate?
According to the Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP) reference materials, ICT (Information and Communication Technology) equipment such as servers, switches, and storage devices generate sensible heat. Sensible heat is the heat energy that causes a change in temperature of the air but does not contribute to humidity or moisture content. This is in contrast to latent heat, which involves a change in moisture (humidity) in the air, such as from evaporation or condensation.
ICT equipment does not introduce moisture into the environment; it only raises the temperature of the surrounding air, making it sensible heat. Proper data center cooling focuses on removing this sensible heat load to maintain optimal equipment operating conditions. Latent heat loads, such as those from people or water leaks, are typically not generated by ICT equipment and are managed differently in facility design.
Radiant heat is a minor consideration and typically refers to heat transferred by electromagnetic waves (e.g., from sunlight or hot surfaces), not the primary mode of heat transfer from ICT equipment, which is primarily through convection (airflow) and is measured as sensible heat.
EPI Data Centre Framework: https://www.epi-ap.com/content/31/67/EPI_Data_Centre_Framework