Data Center Testing and Commissioning Solutions: Liquid Cooled Load Banks vs Boilers
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to push the limits of computing power and data center cooling designs, the demand for liquid cooled data centers is growing at an unprecedented rate. With this shift, commissioning strategies must evolve to ensure accurate and efficient testing of these high-density environments.Â
When it comes to commissioning liquid cooled data centers, operators typically have two main options: using liquid cooled load banks or boilers. While both methods may be able achieve the desired test conditions, the choice of equipment can significantly impact accuracy, efficiency, and overall ease of deployment.Â
In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between these two approaches and discuss how liquid cooled load banks provide a more versatile, precise, controlled, and scalable solution for commissioning the next generation of high-performance data centers.
Built for Purpose
Liquid cooled load banks offer a more durable and contamination-resistant solution for commissioning liquid cooled data centers. Avtron liquid cooled load banks use stainless steel pipe and tank construction so they can be used on the Technology Cooling System (TCS) loop. Stainless steel construction minimizes corrosion to avoid introducing contaminates into the coolant fluid, thereby maintaining coolant quality throughout the testing process.
By contrast, boilers are typically constructed from carbon steel, which can rust over time, leaving behind debris that may compromise system integrity and require additional filtration or maintenance. This difference in material quality makes liquid cooled load banks a more reliable and long-term solution, reducing the risk of clogging, maintenance issues, and unexpected downtime during critical commissioning phases.
Boilers are excellent for closed-loop heating applications, where their robust construction and high thermal output make them well-suited for continuous, stable operation over long durations. In environments where controlled heat generation—not power system testing—is the primary goal, boilers remain a highly effective and proven solution.
Size and Weight
One significant difference between a liquid-cooled load bank and a boiler is their size and weight, which directly impacts ease of transport, installation, and integration into existing facilities. Liquid cooled load banks are designed with a compact footprint, small enough to fit through doorways in data halls and weighing under 1000kg. In comparison, industrial boilers used for similar testing can be enormous—up to 20 feet long and weighing as much as 11 tonnes. This substantial difference makes liquid cooled load banks a far more practical and flexible solution for modern data center commissioning, especially in environments where space, floor loading, and access constraints are critical considerations.
Enhanced Control and Precision
One of the key advantages of using a liquid cooled load bank over traditional boiler-based methods is the level of control and accuracy it provides.
With a load step resolution as discrete as 5kW, liquid cooled load banks allow for precise adjustments, ensuring optimal performance and reliable test results. In contrast, boilers lack sophisticated control systems, making it harder to fine-tune power levels and validate performance accurately. This can lead to increased complexity, longer test durations, and less consistent results.
By integrating advanced control systems, liquid cooled load banks can streamline the commissioning process, reduce setup time, and provide the high-precision testing required for today’s cutting-edge data centers.
Single Solution
A liquid cooled load bank offers a versatile, all-in-one solution for commissioning liquid cooled data centers, testing both the liquid cooling infrastructure and the electrical system in a single step. This dual-functionality allows operators to validate cooling performance, heat rejection, and electrical load handling without the need for additional equipment.
In contrast, a boiler-based approach only simulates the thermal load on the liquid cooling system, leaving the electrical infrastructure untested. As a result, commissioning agents may need to introduce a separate air-cooled load bank to validate UPS systems, switchgear, and power distribution units (PDUs)—adding complexity, time, and cost to the process.
By using a liquid cooled load bank, operators can streamline commissioning, reduce equipment requirements, and minimize testing time, ensuring a faster, more efficient deployment of high-performance data centers.
Conclusion
As AI-driven workloads push the limits of data center power and cooling, the commissioning process must evolve to match these new demands. While boilers have traditionally been used to test liquid cooling loops, they fall short in providing a comprehensive commissioning solution that leading data center operators require.
A liquid cooled load bank, on the other hand, offers a precise, efficient, and fully integrated approach. With superior control systems, stainless steel construction for long-term reliability, and the ability to test both thermal and electrical performance, it significantly reduces complexity, time, and equipment requirements in the commissioning process.
For data centers adopting liquid cooling technology, choosing a liquid-cooled load bank over boilers ensures a faster, more reliable, and future-proof commissioning strategy—one that aligns with the evolving needs of high-performance computing and AI infrastructure.
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