Australia & New Zealand · Selection guide
Dry Cooler Selection for Hot Australian Climates
Select an Australian data centre dry cooler at the site's summer design dry-bulb, not at a mild catalogue point. A dry cooler can only cool glycol to a few degrees above outdoor air, so on a 40 °C day the loop supply will be near 49 °C with TC-DC1000 at full load. Check that against the CDU supply limit, then add N+1 and keep the plant yard free of hot-air recirculation.
Why the rating point matters in Australia
Many dry coolers are catalogued at 25–35 °C air. On the hottest days of an Australian summer the same unit loses capacity or lets the loop temperature rise. TC-DC1000 is rated at 40 °C ambient, holding glycol about 9 K above outdoor air at 1000 kW.
What glycol temperature can TC-DC1000 hold at other ambient temperatures?
At the rated flows, fan speed and a 1000 kW load, the leaving glycol stays about 9 K above outdoor air. Use this table to check the supply temperature you can deliver to the CDU in your climate:
| Ambient air | Glycol in → out at 1000 kW | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| 10 °C | 25 °C → 19 °C | 9 K |
| 15 °C | 30 °C → 24 °C | 9 K |
| 20 °C | 35 °C → 29 °C | 9 K |
| 25 °C | 40 °C → 34 °C | 9 K |
| 30 °C | 45 °C → 39 °C | 9 K |
| 35 °C | 50 °C → 44 °C | 9 K |
| 40 °C | 55 °C → 49 °C | 9 K |
Calculated from the rated point (40 °C air, 55/49 °C, 162 m³/h, 300,000 m³/h) assuming constant heat-exchanger effectiveness, flows and fluid properties. These are calculated values, not test data; the final selection is confirmed at quotation.
Five checks for a hot-climate site
- Design dry-bulb: choose the value for your location and risk appetite; inland and western Sydney sites see days above 40 °C.
- Supply set point: confirm the highest glycol supply the CDU and IT accept; every extra degree adds dry-cooling hours.
- Recirculation: warm discharge air drawn back into the coils raises the effective ambient; keep clear space around and above the units.
- Dust and smoke: plan coil cleaning access on both coil faces; inspect after dust storms and bushfire smoke.
- Redundancy and power: size N for the design day plus one unit; allow 33 kW fan power per unit at 400–415 V, 50 Hz.
Related: data centre water use and liquid cooling · coolant selection guide · coolant distribution units
Frequently asked questions
Can a dry cooler work in an Australian summer?
Yes, if it is selected at the site design dry-bulb rather than a mild rating point. TC-DC1000 is rated at 40 °C ambient with glycol leaving at 49 °C, so a warm-water liquid-cooling loop can be served without evaporative water on hot days.
What design temperature should I use?
Use the site summer design dry-bulb for the location and the risk you accept, not the average summer temperature. Inland sites, and western Sydney in particular, see days above 40 °C.
How do I keep capacity on the hottest days?
Raise the loop supply set point where the IT allows it, add N+1 units, avoid hot-air recirculation in the plant yard, and consider adiabatic pre-cooling or a trim chiller only for peak hours.
How should dry coolers be maintained in dusty areas?
Plate-fin coils have dense air-side fins, so plan regular coil inspection and cleaning, especially after dust storms or nearby bushfire smoke, and keep access space on both coil faces.
Who supplies TC-DC1000 in Australia and New Zealand?
ToneCooling Australia Pty Ltd handles enquiries and quotations for Australia and New Zealand.
Check a site in Australia or New Zealand
Send the heat load, location and supply temperature. An engineer reviews every RFQ and replies by email with next steps.