Airflow Monitoring Solutions for Data Centers
In modern data centers, energy consumption is high, and cooling represents 30-40% of total power use. Precise airflow and pressure measurement are essential for balancing cooling efficiency, preventing hot spots, and ensuring continuous uptime. Airflow and pressure measurement support Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) optimization and equipment reliability — all while reducing energy consumption.Speak With an Application Engineer
Air Monitor Solutions Can Help
Energy Savings and Efficiency
With precise airflow and differential pressure measurement, Air Monitor helps data centers avoid unnecessary overcooling by delivering exactly the amount of cooling air required—cutting fan energy use, chiller demand, and total cooling power. Support better PUE without compromising reliability. Operators need data across aisles, plenums, and ductwork to confidently tune airflow for optimum results.Hot Spot Prevention
By precisely monitoring airflow and pressure between hot and cold aisles, Air Monitor solutions help maintain proper separation and aisle pressurization so that cold supply air reaches server inlets and hot return air is effectively removed, reducing the formation of hot spots that threaten uptime. The ultra-high accuracy of devices like the DCAS at very low differential pressures enables much tighter control of aisle conditions, which lowers the risk of thermal excursions and equipment failure in mission‑critical environments.Data Reliability
Air Monitor instruments provide stable, low-drift signals that integrate into building automation and DCIM systems, enabling closed-loop control of fans, dampers, and cooling equipment based on real-time airflow conditions rather than static design assumptions. This reliable measurement foundation allows operators to safely increase rack densities or add IT load while maintaining environmental compliance and cooling resilience, supporting long-term scalability of the data center.FAN-Evaluator - Airflow Measurement Station
In data centers where space constraints and turbulent airflow are common—especially near CRAH/CRAC units and fan discharge points—the FAN-Evaluator provides accurate, continuous airflow measurement without requiring long, straight duct runs.
Its integrated flow straightener conditions chaotic airflow, enabling reliable performance in tight mechanical spaces. This accuracy supports precise fan control, reducing energy use, improving cooling efficiency, and helping maintain proper airflow distribution—contributing to better PUE and overall reliability.
S.A.P. - Static Air Pressure Sensor
n data centers, maintaining proper pressurization between hot aisles, cold aisles, and adjacent spaces is critical to prevent air mixing and ensure efficient cooling. The S.A.P. sensor provides stable, accurate static pressure measurement between spaces or within plenums, even in the presence of turbulent, multi-directional airflow.
Its design suppresses pulsations and airflow effects, delivering a clean, reliable signal for control systems. This enables precise pressurization control, helping optimize airflow separation, improve cooling performance, and protect uptime in mission-critical environments.
VELTRON II - Differential Pressure and Flow Transmitter
In data centers, where precise control at very low airflow and pressure levels is critical, the VELTRON II delivers ultra-high accuracy and long-term stability for differential pressure and flow measurement. Its automatic zeroing capability continuously eliminates drift, ensuring reliable readings without frequent recalibration—ideal for maintaining tight control of aisle pressurization and low-velocity airflow.
This level of precision supports optimized cooling performance, improved energy efficiency, and consistent environmental conditions, helping operators protect uptime and achieve PUE targets.
VOLU-probe SS – Stainless Steel Traverse Probe
The VOLU-probe SS provides highly accurate airflow measurement in data center ducts, even under turbulent, multi-directional, or space-constrained conditions. Its stainless steel, multi-port Pitot design captures true average velocity pressure without requiring upstream straighteners, enabling precise monitoring of airflow in both new and existing ductwork.
With negligible airflow resistance, rugged construction, and easy integration with transmitters, it supports reliable airflow management, helping data center operators optimize cooling, reduce energy use, and maintain proper environmental conditions for critical IT equipment.
Aligning Airflow Control with ASHRAE and PUE Targets in Data Centers
Data centers must keep airflow, temperature, and humidity within ranges defined by ASHRAE TC 9.9 and related environmental standards, which requires dependable monitoring of airflow and differential pressure to maintain proper separation of hot and cold air paths. Energy-focused frameworks such as ASHRAE 90.4 and PUE further push operators to demonstrate that cooling systems operate efficiently, making airflow management a core part of compliance and sustainability reporting.
Air Monitor solutions provide accurate, stable airflow and pressure measurements that help document adherence to recommended thermal envelopes while enabling control systems to fine-tune cooling output for both reliability and efficiency. These continuous measurements also support PUE improvement and audit readiness by giving operators verifiable data to reduce bypass airflow, optimize fan speeds, and prove that environmental conditions remain within defined limits.
Data Center FAQs
Why is accurate airflow measurement so important in data centers?
Accurate airflow measurement helps ensure that the right amount of cooled air reaches IT equipment inlets, which reduces hot spots, improves hardware reliability, and supports uptime. It also allows operators to avoid overcooling, lowering fan and chiller energy use and helping improve metrics like PUE.Where should airflow be measured in a data center?
Key locations include CRAC/CRAH supply and return, underfloor plenums or overhead ductwork, and at hot and cold aisles where air is delivered to racks. Measuring at these points gives operators the visibility needed to balance airflow, fine‑tune cooling, and validate containment or airflow management strategies.How do Air Monitor solutions integrate with existing data center control systems?
BMS, and DCIM platforms. This enables closed‑loop control of fans and dampers based on real‑time airflow conditions, supporting automated cooling optimization without sacrificing thermal safety.News & Innovation
Product Brochures & Catalog Sheets
Download product brochures and catalog sheets for all of Air Monitor’s products for pressure management, including our range of static pressure sensors and transmitters.Application Guide Series: Clean Room Pressurization
challenges, and methods for achieving and maintaining critical space pressurization.Installation Documents
Here you can download guides for installing the Air Monitor VOLU-probe/FI-SS, the ACCU-flo High Accuracy Stainless Steel Station, and the LO-flo/SS Stainless Steel Pitot Traverse Probe.-
FAN-Evaluator
Inline Airflow Measuring Station
Differential pressure Pitot airflow traverse array in round, circular, and flat oval constructions.
400 to 4,000 FPM
- Accuracy: 2% of Actual Flow
- Circular/Rectangular; fabricated to any size
- Temperature: ≤200°F
- Carbon steel, Stainless steel, Hastelloy, Inconel
- Built-in flow conditioning
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S.A.P.
Static Air Pressure Sensor
Area or critical space pressure sensors engineered for challenging industrial environments.
Area and Space Pressure
- Accuracy: 1% of actual static pressure
- Temperature: ≤200°F
- Stainless steel
- Variety of mounting options
- Unaffected by air currents
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VOLU-probe/SS
Insertion Airflow Measuring Probes
Stainless steel airflow traverse probe ideal for dirty applications with corrosive, abrasive, and extreme temperatures.
400 to 10,000 FPM
- Accuracy: 2% of Actual Flow
- Temperature: ≤900°F
- Stainless steel, Hastelloy, Inconel, Kynar
- External or Internal mounting
- Easy installation/removal for maintenance
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VELTRON II
Transmitter
Measures differential pressure providing output of differential pressure or volumetric flow.
Flow or Differential Pressure
- Accuracy: 0.1%
- URL down to 0.05” w.c.
- NEMA 1, optional NEMA 4 and 4X
- 24VAC, 24VDC
- Turndown: 100:1
