Data Center

Separate supply (cold) and return (hot) manifolds route coolant through the rack. Leak-tight hoses, precision crimps, and specialized quick-disconnect couplings keep coolant away from the electronics inside the server and prevent fluid loss at the connections to the cold plates. O-rings on the manifold are also common points of potential fluid leakage. Typical leak rates are around 10⁻⁵ mbar·l/s.

Cold plates sit directly on the processors. A leak can cause electrical shorts, board damage, overheating and corrosion. Small leaks grow over time into larger leaks on the outer walls. Leak detection at welds, seams and fittings finds micro-leaks before they become failures. Cold plates are therefore held to the tightest leak rates in the range 10^-5 to 10⁻⁶ mbar·l/s.

A leak-tight CDU protects the loop from coolant loss and unplanned downtime. Every part that carries or contains coolant is a potential leak path, including pumps, heat exchanger, piping, valves and other critical components.
To meet strict tightness requirements, modern CDUs are leak tested to an acceptance limit of 10⁻⁵ mbar·l/s.

Leak-free welds, flanges and valves along lengthy pipe runs prevent small leaks from becoming major coolant loss or damage to the building and equipment, when tested to typical leak rates of 10⁻⁵ mbar·l/s.

Leak-tight gaskets, brazed joints, and plates prevent coolant loss and unwanted mixing between the primary and secondary loops. Typical leak rates are around 10⁻⁵ mbar·l/s.

QDCs are a standard mechanical interface in liquid cooling circuits, allowing components to be disconnected with minimal leakage. Because the coolant is electrically conductive, leaks can cause coolant loss or short circuits. QDCs are often tested during manufacturing for leak rates in the range of 10^-5 to10^-6 mbar∙l/s.