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Appendix C
Site Preparation
Zinc Particle Contamination
122
Zinc Particle Contamination
Metallic particulates can be especially harmful around electronic equipment. This type of contamination may
enter the data center environment from a variety of sources, including but not limited to raised floor tiles,
worn air conditioning parts, heating ducts, rotor brushes in vacuum cleaners or printer component wear.
Because metallic particulates conduct electricity, they have an increased potential for creating short circuits
in electronic equipment. This problem is exaggerated by the increasingly dense circuitry of electronic
equipment.
Over time, very fine whiskers of pure metal can form on electroplated zinc, cadmium, or tin surfaces. If these
whiskers are disturbed, they may break off and become airborne, possibly causing failures or operational
interruptions. For over 50 years, the electronics industry has been aware of the relatively rare but possible
threat posed by metallic particulate contamination. During recent years, a growing concern has developed in
computer rooms where these conductive contaminants are formed on the bottom of some raised floor tiles.
Although this problem is relatively rare, it may be an issue within your computer room. Since metallic
contamination can cause permanent or intermittent failures on your electronic equipment, Hewlett-Packard
strongly recommends that your site be evaluated for metallic particulate contamination before installation of
electronic equipment.