Server fans running at full belt since PAT test

[Oops_my_bad]

The other day we had some servers PAT tested. Being the 1U variety they are generally noisy as it is, however since being PAT tested the fans on these servers are running as if it's is too hot - ie on full pelt. But ambient air is just 19-20 degrees.

 

Has anyone come across this? It's driving me nuts as our "office" IS the server room I've shut them down and unplugged them for a while and plugged them back in, hopefully to reset them, but still they sound like they are going to take off They are IBM x3550's. Personally I reckon the PAT testing has screwed them - wouldnt be the first unusual "side effect" of PAT testing i've come across

Edited December 13, 2008 by Oops_my_bad

[FN-GM]

We just got a visual inspection on our servers the last 2 times.

[Sylv3r]

I wouldn't trust our LA PAT Testers anywhere near our servers.

[Oops_my_bad]

We just got a visual inspection on our servers the last 2 times.

 

Well yeh - i did insist on a visual but it got PAT tested anyway

[FN-GM]

The last time we was lucky, the guy doing it used to be a techie. All computers properly shutdown and plugged in etc.

[EduTech]

Hmm seems strange, maybe check to see if any of the fan's av been damaged and thats why the rest of the fans are on full belt?

 

just a thought..

 

little bit of the subject, but our blade center has two PSU's, we have both been used.. the minute one of the power cords are unplugged the fans go on full belt..

 

Hope you find out what it was that caused this though

 

James.

[bossman]

Why would anyone in their right mind have their servers PAT (portable appliance tested) I keep my servers under lock and key and no-one who hasn't got the necessary skills or understanding goes near them.

How can you call servers portable?

Especially when they are fixed in a rack which is going nowhere!!!

As Sylv3r say's wouldn't let county PAT testers in the building let alone the server room.

[EduTech]

They PAT Test ours, some external company that the LEA send do it..

 

you have a point though, the're not exactly protable are they...

[Andrew_C]

you have a point though, the're not exactly protable are they...

That's a bit too simplistic. You may NEED to be able to prove that they were safe. Just hypothetically, imagine that someone were shocked by your server (yeah, I know, highly unlikely but humor me).

 

The prosecution barrister will ask:- Was the kit SAFE when you installed it?

 

How do you KNOW? You test it on purchase.

 

Was it STILL safe on the day of the accident?

 

How do you know? You maintain it.

 

Now for me, in a rack, not moved, in a room with controlled access and the kit is good quality and passed an initial test, I would be inclined to say that tests wouldn't need to be done annually. Maybe every 4 years, or is taken out of the rack for repair. You could even argue that at that point the only part that needs testing would be the PSU.

[Butuz]

Our servers get a visual inspection.

 

Do you still get the loud fan noise after reboots? If so - It sounds like maybe one of your fans have failed, usually if a fan fails all the others speed right up in order to make up for it.

 

Andrew

[Oops_my_bad]

Thanks guys,

 

IBM diagnostics said all fans had failed! (sure as hell didn't sound like it). In the end I pulled the PSU out the servers and left them for 10 minutes. Fan speeds now normal again :D

[Oops_my_bad]

PS Thanks WITCH for moderating the post - "Belt" to "Pelt" - Only you forgot to change the topic while you were at it, luv Edited December 12, 2008 by Oops_my_bad

[plexer]

Anything that isn't hard wired into the mains is portable.

 

Ben

[Michael]

Usually I recommend just a visual inspection, as I agree, servers are generally managed and maintained regularly. Another device to avoid PAT testing is photocopiers. One site had theirs PAT tested and they were on lease! It created all kinds of weird and wonderful problems. The engineer had to perform a flash update to get it working again

[BatchFile]

Anything that isn't hard wired into the mains is portable.

 

Ben

 

That could be arranged... anyone got a spare junction box and a pair of wire strippers?

[bossman]

@Andrew_C:

I change the leads for new ones every year as part of maintenance program these leads have already been tested.

[mullet_man]

I wouldn't trust our LA PAT Testers anywhere near our servers.

 

Same here

[witch]

It was late, I was tired

The pedantic spelling and grammar police have to rest sometimes

[Andrew_C]

@Andrew_C:

I change the leads for new ones every year as part of maintenance program these leads have already been tested.

By whom? They are only batch tested at manufacture.

[bossman]

In house PAT testing kit

All you are testing is the ability of the cable not the equipment it is attached to.

Used to do all the PAT testing at a company I worked for many moons ago (20 yrs).

[Oops_my_bad]

It was late, I was tired

The pedantic spelling and grammar police have to rest sometimes

 

Yes, you're right.. it is pedantic. What's the issue with the word "belt"? Is it not in your southern dictionary?

[Andrew_C]

All you are testing is the ability of the cable not the equipment it is attached

and the integrity of the earth bonding of the case (in a Class 1 appliance).

[bossman]

@Andrew_C:

That goes without saying, Multiple Earth Paths ability: It is important to choose a PAT tester with the ability to make accurate earth bond measurements, even when multiple earth paths exist. Most PAT testers can measure earth leakage over multiple earth paths, but this is not the same as checking the integrity of an appliance's main earth. For example, consider the common office computer, which often has several other devices attached to it via a screened data cable - for example a printer, monitor or scanner.

 

An earth return path can still exist even if the earth bond wire in the cord of a computer is faulty.

 

If you buy a PAT tester that does not automatically cater for earth bond measurement under Multiple Earth Path conditions, the only way to ensure you are actually testing the earth bond of the computer is to disconnect it from all other ancillary equipment. The end result is an increase in test time, and a significant reduction in the number of tests you can do in a day.

 

Summary: On Servers it would be a visual or actually shutting them down before testing. Some third party PAT testing companies do not follow the rules as they are only in it for the money and so you get a thread like this. :)