1.What is liquid cooling for data centers?​

Liquid cooling is a high-efficiency method for data center cooling that uses liquid such as water or dielectric fluids to remove heat from servers and IT equipment. Compared to air cooling, it offers superior thermal performance, enabling high-density computing and energy savings. It’s a core component of modern Liquid Cooling Solutions for both new and existing data centers.​

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2. Why is liquid cooling important and what are its benefits for data centers? ​

Liquid cooling is essential for managing the intense heat generated by AI workloads and high-density servers. It enables:​

• Greater energy efficiency and reduced cooling costs​

• Support for high-performance computing without thermal throttling​

• Smaller physical footprints in the white space due to denser server configurations​

• Improved sustainability through lower power consumption​

3. What are the main techniques of liquid cooling in data centers?​

The two techniques in data center liquid cooling are:​

• Direct-to-chip cooling: This method, also known as direct liquid cooling (DLC), circulates coolant directly over heat-generating components like CPUs and GPUs using cold plates. It offers precise thermal control and is ideal for high-performance and AI workloads both in brownfield and greenfield applications.​

• Immersion cooling: This technique submerges entire servers in a dielectric fluid, allowing for uniform heat dissipation and minimal reliance on airflow.​

Schneider Electric’s end-to-end portfolio supports both technologies, ensuring flexibility, efficiency, and scalability for modern data centers.​

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4. Can I retrofit my air-cooled data center with liquid cooling?​

Liquid cooling retrofit is a practical way to modernize existing air-cooled data centers. By integrating technologies like rear-door heat exchangers, Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs), and hybrid cooling systems, operators can enhance thermal performance without a full infrastructure overhaul. Retrofitting enables support for high-density workloads while improving energy efficiency and sustainability.