A model is developed that allows simulating the most-likely failures possibly occurring in freecooling (FC) systems of telecommunication (TLC) switching rooms. Main aim is to provide an effective and online implementable diagnosis method, which in turn will allow fulfilling the threefold function of safeguarding electronic equipment, ensuring desired air quality in case of human presence and reducing malfunction-related waste of energy. Specifically in this work, obstruction (reduction of the volumetric flow of air introduced into the room) and loss of efficiency (degradation of the fan) are deepened. Two black-box sub-models were developed to simulate the above described faulty functioning of the free-coolers. Subsequently, the fault signature matrix was developed, through which the “symptoms”, calculated as residuals between the “faulty” and “non faulty” conditions of the monitored variables, are associated to the corresponding faults. The peculiarity of the telecommunication sector, where nowadays data acquisition and monitoring platforms are significantly spreading to monitor most significant energy consumptions, including cooling loads, was proved essential in guaranteeing effective isolation of different faults. The simulation results highlight the reliability of the developed diagnostic tool, expected to be versatile and easy to implement enough for being extended to air-handling unit diagnosis, as well as other industrial sectors.
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