Acclimation

Server and storage equipment (racks and frames) must be gradually acclimated to the surrounding environment to prevent condensation.

When server and storage equipment (racks and frames) is shipped in a climate where the outside temperature is below the dew point of the destination (indoor location), there is a possibility that water condensation can form on the cooler inside and outside surfaces of the equipment when the equipment is brought indoors.

Sufficient time must be allowed for the shipped equipment to gradually reach thermal equilibrium with the indoor environment before you remove the shipping bag and energize the equipment. Follow these guidelines to properly acclimate your equipment:

Leave the system in the shipping bag. If the installation or staging environment allows it, leave the product in the full package to minimize condensation on or within the equipment.
Allow the packaged product to acclimate for 24 hours.¹ If there are visible signs of condensation (either external or internal to the product) after 24 hours, acclimate the system without the shipping bag for an additional 12 - 24 hours or until no visible condensation remains.
Acclimate the product away from perforated tiles or other direct sources of forced air convection to minimize excessive condensation on or within the equipment.

¹Unless otherwise stated by product-specific installation instructions.

Note: Condensation is a normal occurrence, especially when you ship equipment in cold-weather climates. All IBM® products are tested and verified to withstand condensation that is produced under these circumstances. When sufficient time is provided to allow the hardware to gradually acclimate to the indoor environment, there should be no issues with long-term reliability of the product.

Last updated: Thu, April 16, 2020