Filter Changeouts Improve Network Reliability
Changing air filters in network equipment is crucial for both network reliability and maintaining Network Equipment Building System (NEBS) compliance. Here’s why:
Network Reliability: Air filters in network equipment play a vital role in ensuring the proper functioning of the equipment and the reliability of the network. The primary purpose of air filters is to prevent dust, dirt, and other airborne contaminants from entering the sensitive components of the network equipment. Accumulation of these particles can lead to various issues, such as:
- Overheating: Dust and debris can obstruct the airflow within the equipment, resulting in improper cooling. Overheating can cause performance degradation, system failures, or even permanent damage to the network devices.
- Equipment Failure: When contaminants accumulate on critical components like fans, heat sinks, or circuit boards, they can impede their operation. This can lead to component failure, intermittent network outages, or degraded performance.
NEBS Compliance: NEBS is a set of industry standards developed by Telcordia (formerly Bellcore) to ensure the reliability and performance of telecommunications equipment in a variety of environmental conditions. Compliance with NEBS standards is often mandatory for network equipment deployed in telecommunications service provider networks.
- Air filtration is an essential requirement for NEBS compliance, specifically under GR-63-CORE, which outlines the physical protection guidelines for network equipment. The standard mandates that network equipment must have air filters to prevent the ingress of airborne contaminants and meet specific cleanliness levels.
- By changing air filters regularly, you ensure that the equipment adheres to the NEBS standards and maintains compliance, which is essential for ensuring the reliability and interoperability of the network infrastructure.
- Overall, changing air filters in network equipment is critical for network reliability by preventing overheating and equipment failures caused by the accumulation of dust and contaminants. It also helps maintain NEBS compliance, ensuring that the equipment meets the industry standards for reliability and performance.
By regularly changing air filters, you ensure a clean and unobstructed airflow, preventing these issues and promoting the longevity and reliability of the network equipment. If the thought of establishing a regular filtration changeout program across your diverse equipment is overwhelming, UAF can be your strategic partner through our Equipment Maintenance Program.
How Often Should Air Filters Be Changed?
The frequency with which air filters should be changed depends on the environment in which the equipment is located. In general, air filters should be changed every 3 to 6 months. However, if the environment is dusty or dirty, you may need to change air filters more often.