Stephen H wrote:
Hi all,
I'm building a computer server farm, network switch rack and
TV/Sat/Radio headend in my loft. All of these gadgets need 240 volt
power via 13amp plugs.
This means lots and lots of double sockets. :-)
I'm planning on putting in a 32A RCBO in the CU to power all this kit in
the loft via suitable wiring.
The reason for a separate RCBO is to ensure high power availability so
that faults elsewhere in the house do not kill power and hence cause
data corruption in the computer servers.
Now, I have acquired some 2nd hand bench power strips that are basically
white plastic trunking with double sockets inserted. They are wired in a
ring main fashion within the trunking and had a RCBO in at one end.
See https://www.dropbox.com/s/562yp1r27v...Close%20up.JPG and
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kfcvrg71q9...mal%20view.JPG
I intend to modify all these by putting in as many double sockets as the
trunking allows which will be 10 double sockets over a length of 2 metres.
This entire assembly will then be fixed to the loft gable end wall and
then provide a fixed wired cable from this assembly back to the CU.
This will then power all my kit.
Now my questions:
Should I use a single run of 4mm2 cable run back to the 32A RCBO or
should I use 2.5mm2 T&E in a ring main fashion as per normal practice
for ring main sockets?
A 20A radial might be easier to wire unless you really want a 32A ring
Will all this be compliant with wiring regs such as socket spacing &
density?
Yes.
When Imperial College Dept of Computing had a student computer lab rebuild a
few years back, the desks had laptop sockets run in a local ring (well,
might have been a radial) one per row. Each desk had a local RCD for safety
+ convenience (no remote RCD) and each desk row plugged into the underfloor
power with a "commando" type plug. I *think* this was a 16A plug, so a 16A
radial circuit.
Similar principle. No, there is no real limit to socket density as long as
the protection is appropriate.
Conversely in the main computer room next door, each rack plugged in to a
single 32A commando under the floor - again a dedicated radial circuit.
Regards,
Stephen.
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