ANSI ASHRAE Standard 127-2020 PDF

Full title and description

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 127-2020 — Method of Testing for Rating Air-Conditioning Units Serving Data Center (DC) and Other Information Technology Equipment (ITE) Spaces. The standard establishes uniform test methods and requirements for rating cooling technologies that serve data centers and other IT equipment spaces, and was revised in 2020 to broaden scope and include newer cooling approaches (e.g., row-based cooling and rear-rack door heat exchangers).

Abstract

This standard provides standardized test procedures for determining the sensible cooling capacity and energy input of air-conditioning units and systems that serve data center and information-technology equipment spaces. The 2020 edition updates definitions, classification, and rating requirements to account for emerging DC/ITE cooling technologies and includes normative appendices with test illustrations and procedures.

General information

• Status: Published; ANSI approved; placed on continuous maintenance (committee maintenance) as of December 2020.
• Publication date: 2020 (Standard 127-2020; document history indicates January 2020 publication).
• Publisher: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); ANSI-approved designation.
• ICS / categories: HVAC / air conditioning; data center cooling; test methods and performance rating for information-technology equipment spaces.
• Edition / version: 2020 edition (ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 127-2020).
• Number of pages: 28 pages (PDF).

Scope

Standard 127-2020 applies to unitary and packaged air-conditioning equipment and system test methods intended to rate equipment that conditions data center and other ITE spaces. The scope was expanded in 2020 to cover additional cooling technologies and configurations used in modern data centers (including row-based units and rack-door heat-exchange solutions), and to provide test and rating guidance that supports both existing and emerging DC/ITE cooling approaches. The committee placed the standard on continuous maintenance to allow ongoing updates and addenda as technologies evolve.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized test procedures for measuring sensible cooling capacity and power input for equipment serving DC/ITE spaces.
• Classification and definitions specific to data-center cooling technologies (revised Section 3 and Section 4 in the 2020 edition).
• Rating requirements and test conditions for various unit types, including new categories such as row-based cooling and rear-rack door heat exchangers.
• Normative appendices with test illustrations, measurement procedures (e.g., airflow, static pressure), and example calculations supporting consistent application of the test methods.
• Dual units of measure and guidance for reporting sensible capacity and efficiency metrics relevant to data-center operators.

Typical use and users

Engineers, test laboratories, manufacturers of data-center cooling equipment, commissioning agents, data center designers/operators, energy-efficiency program administrators, and regulatory bodies use Standard 127 to ensure repeatable, comparable ratings of cooling equipment intended for DC/ITE applications. It is used for laboratory test setups, product rating declarations, equipment selection, and supporting efficiency and procurement specifications.

Related standards

Commonly referenced or related documents include other ASHRAE method-of-test standards and data-center energy standards (for example, ASHRAE standards addressing methods of test and energy-performance metrics for equipment and data centers). ASHRAE maintains and issues addenda and related standards (for example, addenda to Standard 127 and ASHRAE energy standards for data centers such as Standard 90.4). Users often consult Standards 127 together with ASHRAE guidance and other test-method standards when establishing product ratings or compliance programs.

Keywords

data center cooling, ITE cooling, unitary air-conditioners, test methods, equipment rating, sensible cooling capacity, rack-door heat exchanger, row-based cooling, ASHRAE Standard 127, ANSI approved.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 127-2020 is a method-of-test standard that defines uniform procedures for testing and rating air-conditioning units and systems that serve data center and other information-technology equipment spaces.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test procedures, definitions, classification, and rating requirements for equipment and technologies used to cool DC/ITE spaces, including newer cooling approaches added in the 2020 revision (e.g., row-based units and rear-rack door heat-exchange systems) and normative appendices that illustrate required tests.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, independent test laboratories, data-center designers and operators, commissioning and test engineers, efficiency program administrators, and regulators use the standard to obtain consistent, repeatable ratings and to compare equipment performance for procurement and compliance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2020 edition is the most recent full edition (ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 127-2020). The standard was placed on continuous maintenance in December 2020 and has received at least one addendum (Addendum a, October 2024), so users should check for addenda or errata when applying the standard.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Standard 127 is part of ASHRAE's family of test-method and data-center related standards (method-of-test standards and energy/performance standards). It has historical prior editions (e.g., 2012, 2007, 2001) and is maintained alongside other ASHRAE standards that address equipment testing and data-center energy performance.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Data center, ITE, unitary air-conditioner, rating, test method, sensible cooling, row-based cooling, rack-door heat exchanger, ASHRAE, ANSI.