What should you recommend to reduce the amount of EMF coming from the electrical riser?

You are working on the design of a new facility. The electrical riser of the building with high current power is located close to the area where sensitive IT equipment in the computer room will be located.

What should you recommend to reduce the amount of EMF coming from the electrical riser?
A . Install single-phase power cabling
B . Install three-phase power cabling based on three individual core wires
C . Install bus bar trunking
D . Install three-phase power cabling based on a combined cable (e.g. XLPE etc.)

View Answer

Answer: D

Explanation:

To reduce Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) emanating from the electrical riser near sensitive IT equipment, three-phase power cabling in a combined cable (such as XLPE) is effective. Combined cabling helps reduce EMF by keeping the conductors tightly packed, which minimizes magnetic fields generated by current flow. Cables like XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) also offer better insulation, which helps mitigate EMF interference with nearby IT equipment .

Detailed Explanation

Using a combined three-phase cable reduces EMF because the magnetic fields generated by each phase tend to cancel each other out when in close proximity. This arrangement helps reduce the overall magnetic field strength. In addition, XLPE and similar materials provide good insulation, making them a preferred choice for reducing EMF emissions around sensitive equipment.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI data center best practices recommend mitigating EMF interference through combined cabling arrangements, especially near areas where sensitive IT equipment is located. Reducing EMF is crucial to maintaining equipment reliability and ensuring compliance with safety standards.