Boyd has announced the launch of its Rack Emulator, a thermal testing tool designed to support the deployment and validation of liquid cooling systems in data centers. According to Boyd, the Rack Emulator enables faster and safer testing of direct-to-chip liquid cooling loops, coolant distribution units (CDUs), and facility cooling systems before connection to live data center IT equipment.
The Rack Emulator simulates both the pressure drop and heat dissipation characteristics of a server rack, allowing operators to input specific capacity and pressure drop protocols for their environment. It automates validation protocols for CDUs and facility cooling infrastructure, mitigating risks by verifying performance under load before introducing critical IT hardware. The device can also test electrical inputs at the rack level prior to server installation.
Boyd reports that the Rack Emulator is designed for ease of operation without specialized training, supporting rapid scaling across data center sites. Encased in a rack-sized chassis, it functions as both a thermal load bank and a system simulator. The company notes that its compact form factor allows it to fit within standard data center rows, optimizing space for thermal validation and simplifying testing logistics. The Rack Emulator is available for order now, with shipping expected to begin in September.
“Boyd’s new Rack Emulator will help our end clients reliably and safely validate thermal performance and safeguard their IT equipment,” said David Huang, President, Thermal Solutions Division at Boyd. “We wanted to make it easy to operate so our customers can efficiently deploy at scale, accelerating their data center builds.”
While Boyd highlights broader applications of its liquid cooling and engineered material solutions in industries such as automotive and healthcare, the Rack Emulator is specifically aimed at streamlining testing for data center cooling deployments and operations.
Source: Boyd
