Data Centers

For decades the IBEW/NECA partnership has been the nation’s most reliable resource to build and power connectivity. For the past 30 years that includes the rapid digitalization of the economy through the creation of data centers. In this respect, IBEW/NECA has combined its proficiencies in building data centers and building/servicing the energy industry that powers them. Four of its data center projects have been honored in the AGC Keystone Awards since 2010 while 10 of its power generation projects have been honored since 2002.

IBEW/NECA’s responsibility to train its workforce, innovate and deliver the power, technology and infrastructure will define the next century of American progress. As the nation moves more information to the cloud and advances AI, an estimated additional 44 terawatts of power will be needed by 2030, according to the trade publication Electrical Contractor.

Our focus is always ensuring 24/7 data integrity. Clients, such as Thomson Reuters, Emerson, Mercy and BJC Healthcare have relied on our skills to make modifications to initial designs to improve reliability of safe data storage and transmission These projects have special complexities, requiring the ability to deftly adapt including:

• Producing highly detailed 3-D blueprints to strategically route a spaghetti-like sea of conduits (more than eight miles of conduit in one project) beneath the data center.
• Installing and integrating two independent main power service connections each with a primary panel and substation transformer along with distribution switchgear and switchboards supported by paralleling switchgear. In one case it entailed more than 33 miles of wiring.
• Delivering true N+1 power sourcing – with two dedicated on-site substations
• Integrating multiple fire suppression technologies including traditional sprinkler, clean agent extinguisher and pre-action sprinkler
• Avoiding disruptions of existing data center operations by strategically creating a utility feed using preinstalled conduits/raceways, energizing with median voltage switchgear
• Adapting to lagging building construction of a highly compartmentalized data center by deftly laying out and installing 100 conduit pass-throughs before multiple cast-in-place structural elements were poured.

The proof of our proficiencies comes at commissioning. We have provided multipoint checklists to ensure the quality and completeness of our installations, including an Integrated System Test (IST).

Visit our contractor page to learn more about our data center capabilities.

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